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So what is it?
Short answer? It’s AMG's 911/Jaguar F-Type rival. The rather longer response is that it's an all-new sports car developed from the ground up by AMG.
With the last pair of SLSes rolling off the production line this month, this is AMG's first foray into the core sports car market currently occupied by the iconic 911 and the achingly beautiful F-Type.
The car we’re up close and personal with today is the ‘GT S’ (a less powerful ‘GT’ will arrive later in the production cycle), powered by an all-new 4-litre twin-turbo V8 producing a not-inconsiderable 510bhp and 480lb/ft (so think 911 Turbo and F-Type V8S). And yes, that’s supplied exclusively to the rear wheels.
No massive 6.3-litre, naturally-aspirated V8 then?
True, AMG’s history was built on naturally-aspirated V8 excellence, but in recent years the company has proved that you can downsize, add turbos, increase efficiency and still deliver an apocalyptic soundtrack that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention. The A45 proved that it can do AWD too, so it's fair to say AMG is a brand on a technological roll right now.
OK, but what does it sound like?
On start up there's a guttural V8 rumble inside the cabin that’s pure AMG, and from the outside it barks into life with the exhaust baffles open, just to make sure everyone in the area knows you mean business. At tickover it thumps like its legendary ancestors, and when driven hard in race mode it pops and bangs on the overrun. At full throttle you can still hear the V8 pounding over the blast furnace rush of the exhaust. It’s brilliant.
So they haven't screwed up the noise. Good news. What does it look like in the flesh?
Think truncated SLS in the proportions. The AMG GT S takes the SLS platform and shortens the wheelbase by 50mm and edits the mass of bodywork, reducing the overall length by 70mm. Purposeful stance though: the GT S is still as wide as its big brother at 1939mm. The styling is by Mercedes Head of Design Gordon Wagener, and if you squint you can just about make out the basic shape through the dayglo disguise. It's pure AMG Mercedes from the front three-quarter, with the long bonnet and cab-back design, and a neat, short rear. It's simple, uncluttered and even in disguise, very attractive.
So what's the disguise all about? Is the car finished, and how did you get past security?
The disguise is because the car isn’t ready for its public debut just yet. Apparently the GT S is 98 per cent finished, but speaking to Tobias Moers (AMG Boss, lead driver for today and the reason I’ve not been kicked out by stern men in security uniforms) there's still some work to do on low grip calibration, and other last-micron finessing. But don't let the disguise fool you, this car is the real deal. I’m here because busting into 911/F-Type territory is a tough ask, and Moers is clearly hugely proud of what AMG has created. He can't wait to show it off. That confidence is part of what makes AMG such an infectious brand: these are car people, whose history lies in racing and constant competition to be the best. If it bears the AMG roundel, then it has to be the best it can be.
Before you get into the dynamics, what's it like on the inside?
Drop in through the now regular door (no gullwings, this is a more ‘everyday’ AMG than the SLS) and it immediately feels like a serious player. Carbon fibre melds with leather and proper, cold-to-the-touch aluminium, all finished with characteristic handcrafted detail and accuracy.
Written By:- Charlie Turner
More of this article on the Top gear website
