New car isn’t as related to the CLS as you might think
Tobias Moers gets to play in a lot of fun vehicles as head of AMG, which has 46 models now and a growth curve that appears unstoppable. But a particular favorite right now is the new addition to the GT family, the 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. That model borrows the AMG GT coupe’s styling but adds two extra doors and a second row of seats for an additional three passengers in back if you are in Europe or just two seats if you are in North America.
Daimler’s performance guru loves the duality of the car: it can be a daily driver and family vehicle with the addition of a back seat. But it is also a performance beast. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S with the 4.0-liter biturbo V-8, generates 630 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, and the GT 63 is no slouch at 577 hp and 553 lb-ft. Meanwhile, the GT 53 has Mercedes’ new turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six which makes 429 hp and 384 lb-ft but also has the EQ Boost 48-volt mild hybrid system that contributes 21 hp and 184 lb-ft. There will be more hybrids in the AMG world; in a few years all Mercedes vehicles will have 48-volt systems so you won’t find a combustion engine without some electrification, said Ola Kallenius, member of the board of management responsible for research and Mercedes-Benz car development.
Moers bristles if you suggest the GT four-door coupe is based on the arguably similar Mercedes-Benz CLS. He used the E-Class wagon for structure, and it was heavily modified and fortified. There were changes to everything from the subframe to dedicated suspension arms to achieve the next level of driving dynamics.
“It is one of the most surprising driving cars,” he said, adding that it’s smooth and easy in the city but goes to a new level on a track.
The car goes into production in June with deliveries in Europe in September and U.S. customers will get it late in the year or early next year.
All-wheel drive is standard but there could be a rear-drive variant in the future, said Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the Daimler board of management.
“This is definitely an important vehicle for us,” said Zetsche. “It’s another halo for the AMG brand.”
“There’s hardly a white space left in our portfolio,” Zetsche said.