Geneva 2017: Mercedes-AMG GT Concept - Another 'Four-door Coupe'

Mercedes-AMG is, of course, calling its new GT Concept a “four-door coupe.” As perpetually annoying as that marketing trend has become, it’s refreshing to see a concept car that is somewhat representative of the future production model. However, GT Concept not just a glimpse into AMG’s future but also a celebration of 50 years worth of history at Mercedes’ AMG performance arm.

In addition to its AMG badge, the concept has also been adorned with a subtle EQ Power logo that denotes Benz’s fledgling electrified sub-brand and a hybridized powertrain. Mercedes describes the red devil as the evolution of the AMG-specific lineup and says the four-door GT will eventually exist as a genuine roadgoing vehicle — looking familiar, but not quite identical to the current concept.

“The AMG GT Concept embodies the most extreme expression of our design idiom and underlines the autonomous profile of AMG as a performance brand,” said Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer for Daimler AG, during the vehicle’s Geneva unveiling. “Through ideal proportions it creates a pure design with emphasis on its surfaces, featuring sensuous shapes, and is hot and cool at the same time.”

As much as it sounds like Benz wants to take ownership of the GT Concept, we really have to give a nod to Porsche’s Panamera and the Audi S7. While Mercedes is more than capable of stellar autocraft, this sleek sedan probably owes its very existence to other German premium sport sedans.

In lieu of traditional mirrors, the AMG concept uses rear-facing cameras that would absolutely be broken off within the first six months of ownership. More feasible design cues include daytime running lamps with “nano active” accent lighting, huge air inlets, a carbon fiber diffuser, and a centrally mounted exhaust port.

Power comes from a 4.0-liter biturbo V8 and an electric motor connected directly to the rear wheels. While this is a 4Matic-equipped vehicle with torque vectoring, the electric mills only serve to supplement the rear end under power. MB says the paring outputs 805 peak horses and shoots the GT Concept to 60 miles an hour in under three seconds.

The automaker did not dive deep into the technical nitty gritty, but a lot of the hybridized performance wizardry trickled down from the company’s Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team — something Infiniti also did at this year’s Geneva show. That’s also where Mercedes got the EQ moniker, which it says it will begin using on all of its hybrid cars.

Assuming the AMG GT sedan makes it to market, expect it to keep the straight-cut grille and a gently toned-down version of its current form. However, don’t expect it to hang on to the bronzed calipers or those precarious side-mounted cameras. The GT Concept is currently on display at the Geneva International Motor Show and impossible to miss due to its bright red glazing.

[Image: Daimler AG]