2016 Mercedes AMG GT: Will Porsche Dial 911?

By Santosh

The blurry silhouettes and evocative engine sound teasers are now in the past, because the covers have finally come off the 2016 Mercedes AMG GT, a car that plans to take on the long-respected Porsche 911 and the relatively new but super-hot Jaguar F-Type.

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Those sure are big pills for Mercedes-Benz and AMG to swallow, and only time will tell if their latest medication for the driving soul will translate into long-term success. But make no mistake, the second car built entirely by AMG (the first being the SLS AMG) is taking the Web by storm, with opinion hugely in favour of its seductive form.

The story continues in the next section. Click through the slides for more:

2016 Mercedes AMG GT: Will Porsche Dial 911?

The story continues on the next slide.

2016 Mercedes AMG GT: Will Porsche Dial 911?

The Mercedes AMG GT is heavily inspired by the passed-on SLS AMG, as is evident from its long bonnet and rearward-cab profile. Cleanest designs always look the best, and the AMG GT scores highly here, with uncomplicated flowing lines and complete absence of sharp edges. While it's the front view that's got us wide-eyed – the single slat grille and the purposeful side air inlets and glossy black front splitter are achingly beautiful – the rest of AMG's creation does not let you down, not by a long shot.

2016 Mercedes AMG GT: Will Porsche Dial 911?

The only reason we like the face of the AMG GT the most is because somehow the rear half of the car seems more Porsche than Mercedes-Benz. View the car side on, and the resemblance to the 911 is clearly evident, while the rear harks back to the Porsche 928, just like the SLS AMG did before. That said, the end product remains supremely handsome, and that's why the world will forgive this flattery towards the direction of Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.

2016 Mercedes AMG GT: Will Porsche Dial 911?

Pop open the stretch bonnet and that's where any similarity towards the competition comes to an abrupt halt. The AMG GT and its more hardcore sibling, the GT S, feature an all-new M178 twin-turbocharged, 4.0-litre V8 engine in two states of tune – the former gets a 456 bhp version and the latter, 503 bhp. The turbos sit in the middle of the two cylinder banks, called ‘hot inside V' by Mercedes, to react quicker to throttle inputs, and the engine is hooked up to a performance exhaust system with adjustable variable flaps to startle or silence.

2016 Mercedes AMG GT: Will Porsche Dial 911?

Sounds more than enough to send shivers down the monocoques of both the 911 and the F-Type, because all this translates into some serious performance: the GT S sprints from 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds all the way up to a restricted top speed of 310 km/h, while the standard GT takes 3.9 seconds for the same sprint with its limited top whack standing at 304 clicks. If that's not enough for your right foot, rumour has it that even more extreme versions will arrive in the future. The AMG GT tips the scales at a decently impressive 1540 kilograms, which makes it marginally lighter than its two main rivals.

2016 Mercedes AMG GT: Will Porsche Dial 911?

In typical Mercedes style, there will be a wealth of options on offer, including world-first dynamic mounts for both the engine and the seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission unit. Buyers can also spec the sports car with carbon ceramic brakes, a large selection of wheels that include forged alloys, and sticky Michelin Cup rubber. Like some Hot Wheels miniatures, the AMG GT S can be had with larger 20-inch wheels for the rear, and 19s for the front.

2016 Mercedes AMG GT: Will Porsche Dial 911?

So there you have it, the secrets are finally out – daresay it was worth the wait, don't you think? Let us know in the comments section if the AMG GT strikes a chord with your heart, or is it going to take a lot more to waver your loyalty away from Porsche or Jaguar?

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Article Published On: Thursday, September 11, 2014, 17:49 [IST]
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