Now this is an interesting one. Only the other day we were saying the
Panamera Sport Turismo
and Porsche's determined move to push its saloon and shooting brake models upmarket made the AMG versions of the current CLS look like bargains. Seems like Mercedes agrees if this teaser sketch of an AMG GT Concept for Geneva is anything to go by.
Details are scarce - limited to the picture you see here in fact - but it's pretty obvious this is a stretched AMG GT with an extra set of doors. Perhaps Aston Martin was onto something with the seemingly unloved Rapide after all!
With a range of power outputs from 476hp to 585hp from the existing AMG GT's 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 there's certainly the performance in the existing powertrain to make this a proper Panamera Turbo rival, the arrival of four-wheel steering to the GT range meaning scope to make it feel as agile as the current coupe is there too. Working on the assumption it uses an extended version of the GT's aluminium platform the four-door would be rear-wheel drive with a transaxle gearbox, this layout making it difficult for AMG to develop a four-wheel drive version to match the Porsche. Against that it could offer improved weight distribution and - perhaps - a sportier feel.
Expanding AMG's reach in the £100K+ sector with a wider range of standalone models is a bold move for both Mercedes and its performance division. Given the Mercedes in this bracket - even the AMG variants - tend towards the more luxurious GT end of the market there is space for a sportier offering though and Mercedes will no doubt be keen to see what the reaction is like at Geneva before it commits to a production version.
Expect more from the show...
Quick official teaser vid here...