The Mercedes-AMG GT is the first to drop the “Benz” name under the current lineup of the brand. Then, it is the second car to be produced from scratch by the performance division of Daimler following the SLS.
Due to the identity of the Mercedes-AMG GT as the successor of the phased out SLS, people can’t help but compare the two. However, this should not be the case since each car has features that make one stand out from the other. In this article, let us examine the tech secrets used in the GT that truly makes it very special, and a worthy successor to the SLS.
The Body
Citing a post from Autocar, the body of the three-pointed star’s pure sports car has been aerodynamically-optimized. The armor of the car has been developed using lightweight materials.
The chassis of the Mercedes-AMG GT possesses enhanced aluminum materials. These were arranged using the construction techniques employed in the latest C-Class. An estimated 90 percent of the vehicle’s body is made from aluminum.
On the other hand, magnesium-based materials were used for the car’s front axle to improve its maneuverability. Next, the boot lid was reinforced with steel for the reason that it is lighter than aluminum according to Tobias Moers.
Overall, the lighter materials only puts the weight of the unit’s bodyshell to just around 231 kg of the total 1,540 kg kerb weight.
The Engine
Going under the hood, the sports car’s M178 V8 engine is a product of AMG’s downsizing efforts. Instead of the accustomed 6.3-liter V8 engine, the performance division of the German marque reduced the biturbo engine into a mere 4.0-liter, which burns 32 percent less fuel than its predecessor but still provides outputs of 456 bhp and 503 bhp.
Notably, the engine shares the same bore and stroke with the new four-cylinder direct injection petrol engine found in the A-Class last year. The efficiency and power of the new engine are brought about by the layout of its spray-guided direct fuel injection and combustion chamber. The lack of wet sump hanging under the V8 engine also allows the car to get better handling and road traction due to its center of gravity closer to the ground.
Overall
All the mentioned elements lets the Mercedes-AMG GT stand out in the segment of the market where it is situated. Particularly, the car is Mercedes’ answer to the Porsche 911.
Mercedes-AMG expects the GT to pave the way for a new line of cars. Looking at the car’s potential, its maker is expecting to significantly increase its sales by at least 10,000 next year.