SPY PICS: Next Mercedes-AMG GT getting closer

The next-generation 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT has been spotted testing on two separate occasions over the weekend, including a GT 53 being unloaded at the Nurburgring and a GT 63 undergoing cold-weather testing in Sweden.

Based on the recently-launched new Mercedes-AMG SL, which also replaces the GT Roadster, AMG’s new GT Coupe will swap out the cabrio’s folding soft-top in favour of a fixed metal roof and adopt a far more focused driving persona – which should make it a more fearsome rival for the Porsche 911.

While both versions were wrapped in elaborate camouflage, they both bear a striking resemblance to the new R232-series SL, especially from at rear where we can see a direct comparison between the GT 63 and an SL 63 in one of the photos.

Both models feature similarly narrow tail-light clusters punctuating more rounded rear-ends and gentle flowing lines, although it should be noted the coupe features more pronounced body sculpting down its flanks.

Finer frontal details are reasonably hard to make out due to the design of the camo, but both the GT 53 and GT 63 feature a familiar power-domed bonnet, segmented grille and dotted clusters of what we assume are air intakes.

The GT 53 has just two of these clusters while the GT 63 looks to have six. The only other obvious distinction between the pair at this stage is the former’s round exhaust outlets versus the flagship’s coupe’s trapezoidal arrangement.

Both variants are fitted with huge drilled brake rotors and suitably large brake callipers, while the overall silhouette has been stretched very slightly, gifting the two-seat GT with a slightly extended roofline, which is perhaps a legacy of the SL’s 2+2 seating configuration.

Power for both versions of the new AMG GT is expected to come from the German hot-house’s familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 petrol engine, but it’s possible the GT 53 – if that’s the badge it ends up wearing – will eschew V8 power in favour of turbo inline six as per other existing AMG 53 models.

For reference, the V8-powered SL 55 develops 350kW/700Nm, while the flagship SL 63 4MATIC+ churns out 430kW/800Nm – both via a front-mounted AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission with wet start-up clutch, so the new GT may go without its predecessor’s supercar-style rear transaxle.

Given AMG’s penchant for supercar-slaying outputs, we wouldn’t at all be surprised if an updated or enhanced version of the current Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance super-sedan’s 620kW/1400Nm plug-in hybrid powertrain also becomes available in the new GT further down the line.

We understand a PHEV powertrain is already in development for the new SL roadster, so it it’s almost certain to make an appearance in the new GT coupe as well – especially given the impending Euro 7 emission regulations.

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