Confirmed: Hybrid Mercedes-AMG GT73 Is Coming in 2020!
Behold the evolutionary link between AMG’s V8 past and electric future.
Pardon the pun, but things are moving fast over at AMG. On top of some recent big announcements regarding powertrains, electrification, and all-new models, the powerhouse at Sindelfingen is eager to say goodbye to the past and look forward to the future in some big ways.
Take the AMG GT 4-Door for example. The big sedan with the even bigger horsepower numbers has been out for less than a year and AMG is already working on an even hotter version. An electrified hotter version.
As we reported back in June, Autocar broke the story of a hybrid version of the GT 4-Door being put through its paces. At the time, the outlet speculated that some 805 horsepower would be on tap. Now, we have confirmation. Speaking to Australian outlet WhichCar at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes-AMG CEO Tobias Moers has given us some new tantalizing details.
‘Go big or go home’ – AMG, probably
The car, known as the AMG GT73, will sit atop the 4-Door lineup starting in 2020. And, it bridges the gap between the brand’s gas-powered offerings and eventual all-electric models. Moers confirms that the electric powertrain (or powertrains) will have a two- speed transmission. According to Motor1, it’s likely that this electric setup will drive the front wheels while the GT63’s current twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 handles the back. Or, for even more power, that a smaller electric motor will help with rear-drive duties too.
While we can’t wait to see this beast in action, there are still some big questions. Moers gave no details on power, but the rumored 805-horse number (a 175-horse boost over the current GT63 S) sounds about right. Also, the car will have a bit of a weight issue. At over 4,600 pounds, the GT 4-Door is a big car. Adding a motor (or two), additional transmission, and batteries aren’t going to make it any lighter. Weight will be the big issue AMG needs to overcome if it wants the hybrid to outperform the current gas-powered versions. We’re eager to see where this challenge takes them.
But for now, here’s what we know: The GT73 will be the king of the AMG 4-Doors, and it’s coming within a year’s time. It will have at least one electric motor, a two-speed transmission for that motor, and will be brutally fast. That’s more than enough to get us excited.
Photos: Mercedes-AMG
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