Mercedes-AMG has already displayed the potential of a PHEV powertrain on the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 E Performance, and it’s about to do the same in the upcoming SL and the new AMG-GT. The latter made its spy debut in electrified form at the Nürburgring.
The second generation of the AMG GT has
been spied in both 53 and 63 variants, but this is the first time we see a
plug-in hybrid model. Unlike the previous camouflaged prototypes, the PHEV is
wearing special steel wheels, fitted with testing equipment. While it would be
cool to see this type of unconventional wheel design on a sports car, they were
clearly made to assist in development so don’t expect to see them in
production. The charging port on the right side of the rear bumper – a typical
placement for Mercedes – shows that this AMG GT is ready for the plug. Mercedes
has been tight-lipped about the new generation of the AMG GT but we expect it
to share the E Performance plug-in hybrid powertrain with the SL roadster.
The most powerful AMG ever – the four-door
GT 63 E Performance – is fitted with a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 and a
rear-mounted electric motor, producing a combined 831 hp and
1,400 Nm of torque. As for the SL, it is rumored that
Mercedes-AMG will offer two PHEV variants, an SL63e with 700 hp and an SL63 E Performance with the full 831 hp. This
strategy could be mirrored by the sportier AMG GT, although nothing is official
yet.
The debut of the Mercedes-AMG GT is
expected towards the end of 2022, while the plug-in hybrid variant – which will
likely be the most powerful of the bunch – could follow in 2023. The sportscar
will compete with the Porsche 911, which is also getting a hybrid version in
the upcoming facelift.
