The Mercedes-AMG GT S and GT S Edition 1 is officially here and was fittingly introduced at the Sepang International Circuit by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM).
This highly anticipated “Porsche 911 slayer” is the second model to be completely developed in-house by Mercedes-AMG after the SLS – its spiritual successor, so to speak. The Grand Tourer boasts a weight distribution of 47:53 and has a kerb weight of 1,540 kg, thanks in part to its aluminium space frame, engine and transmission positioning.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Mercedes-AMG GT S | Mercedes-AMG GT S Edition 1 |
| Engine |
3,982cc; twin-turbo V8 (M178) |
|
| Transmission |
7-speed dual clutch auto (Getrag) |
|
| Max Power |
510 hp @ 6,250 rpm |
|
| Max Torque |
650 Nm @ 1,750 – 4,750 rpm |
|
| 0 – 100km/h; Top Speed |
3.8 seconds; 310 km/h |
|
| Price (OTR with GST, w/o insurance) | RM1,150,000 | RM1,200,000 |
EXTERIOR
At first glace, the AMG GT bears significant resemblance to the SLS; it has a long sloping bonnet and a stubby rear end – both hallmark design cues of the SLS. However, gone are the gull-wing doors from the SLS, as the AMG GT employs conventional doors. This not-so-cool-anymore configuration saves additional weight by removing the mechanical bits from the roof. Hey, give and take, right?
The AMG GT measures 4,546mm in overall length, 1,939mm wide, 1,288mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,630mm. Pop the boot and you’ll find 350 litres of boot space – that’s just 30 litres less than a Mk7 Golf’s luggage capacity!
All purchase of the two-seater sports car comes with 19-inch tyres at the front and 20-inch at the rear. The front tyres are profiled at 265/35 R19 whereas the fatter rear tyres are of the 295/30 R20 series. Track width up front measures at 1,680mm and the rear at 1,651mm.
INTERIOR
Step inside the GT S and you’ll immediately realise just how close to the ground it sits. At the centre of it is a console that houses all the essentials, such as the familiar touch-sensitive COMAND controller, stubby transmission lever and AMG Drive Unit controls on each side. Notice that there’s four buttons on each side? That’s supposedly a design translated (or inspired) by the V8 unit. 
Completing the interior kit is the free-standing screen and flat-bottomed steering wheel with aluminium paddle shifters. PERFORMANCE At the heart of the GT S is a handbuilt, longitudinally mounted 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 (codename M178) that makes 510 hp and 650 Nm of torque. To allow for a more compact packaging, the engine features dry sump lubrication with both turbos mounted inside the V of the engine. The GT, which isn’t introduced here, shares the same engine but is less powerful, making 456 hp and 600 Nm of torque.
#Mercedes #AMG #GTS on Sepang F1 Circuit Main Straight! A video posted by AutoBuzz.my (@autobuzzmy) on
The car’s 47:53 weight distribution is courtesy of the front mid-engine layout with a rear transaxle which receives the engine’s full grunt via a carbon fibre driveshaft channeled from the much improved seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox made by Getrag. The superseded SLS also used the same gearbox, but it wasn’t as refined and had a slower shift time.
Suspension wise, both the front and rear axles have a double wishbone setup, but the rear unit is completely new whereas the front is taken straight off the SLS. Best of all, the steering rack is hydraulic. Where the GT gets a mechanical rear-axle locking differential, the GT S is fitted with an electronically locking diff that’s integrated into the transmission housing. It’s very simply, faster and more sensitive than the GT’s mechanical diff and improves overall traction and increases cornering speeds.
Also fitted as standard in the GT S is the electronically controlled damping (or AMG Ride Control Sports Suspension) that grants three stages of AMG driving dynamics – Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. Exclusive to the GT S is the optional AMG Dynamic Plus Package which includes dynamic engine and transmission mounts that continuously adjusts the mounts’ stiffness according to driving conditions. This package also includes a stiffer suspension tuning, a more negative front wheel camber, a Race and Manual “M” mode.
SAFETY
Standard safety equipment in the AMG GT includes front, side, window, and knee airbags, the familiar Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Adaptive Braking and Attention Assist, Parktronic, rear view camera, Pre-Safe system and individual tyre pressure monitoring system. Optional extras include Lane Tracking with Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist.
WHAT ELSE?
As the saying goes, early bird catches the worm. First buyers of the AMG GT S can choose to go with the Edition 1 series, like the one seen here. That gives you black aerodynamic package – larger front splitter, front wheel arch flics, black side sill panels and a fixed rear spoiler. You also get carbon fibre roof, additional gloss black exterior trims and black tail pipes. This RM50,000 option swaps out the original wheels for the very one you see here, but the sizes remain the same – 19-inch at the front and 20-inch at the rear.
It doesn’t stop there. The Edition 1 package gives you what Mercedes calls the Interior Black Diamond package. Here, you get Nappa interior leather with red stitching, performance bucket seats, DINAMICA microfibre-wrapped steering wheel with a 12-o’clock marking and chromed steering bezel with the Edition 1 lettering.
Pricing starts (the keyword here is starts) from RM1,150,000 for the GT S and RM1,200,000 for the GT S Edition 1. Since every unit is made to order, it’s entirely up to you to customise the AMG GT however you see fit. Just to give you an idea, even its signature yellow paint is a RM70,000 option. So really, the sky’s the limit. Just don’t try to outdo the Arabians when you’re at it.
IMAGE GALLERY
