MELBOURNE: Mercedes-Benz has launched all new AMG GT in Australia in $29,5000 to give a hard hand to Porsche 91, which costs $293,600. Mercedes AGM GT has the capability of covering 100 km in just 3.8 second while it has a 4.0 litre biturbo V8 churns -speed dual-clutch auto engine.
To Mercedes Australia’s credit, the tight pricing gap between the GT S and the 911 GT3 compares favourably with German pricing, where the Porsche starts at 137,303 euros to the AMG’s 117,549 euros.
Both models boast more standard equipment in Australia than their European counterparts, of course, and the AMG’s starting price hasn’t deterred buyers here: the company claims that demand has already outstripped supply.
For those that get in soon enough, the GT S is unlikely to disappoint, with 375kW available from 6250rpm (with a 7200rpm redline) and max twist available between 1750rpm (3000rpm earlier than the earlier SLS AMG’s 6.2 litre engine) to 4750rpm.
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch auto, mounted in a transaxle configuration at the rear axle.
AMG promises a 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 310km/h. Fuel consumption is listed at 9.4 l/100km and emissions are rated at 219g/km.
In Australia, the GT S is fitted as standard with the AMG Dynamic Plus package – an optional extra in other markets – which adds dynamic engine and transmission mounts, a sharper spring and damper tune for the adjustable suspension setup, a meaner camber cut at the front and an adaptive speed-sensitve steering setup.
There’s also a staggered wheel setup that includes 19-inch, 265mm rubber at the front, while the rear gets 20-inch, 295mm examples.
Safety kit includes adaptive high-beam, adaptive braking, collision prevention assist plus, attention assist, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitor, and semi-automated parktronic reverse parking with a reversing camera.
The Edition 1 adds an enhanced body-kit with the special diamond-jewel grille treatment, carbon-fibre roof, additional aero components, gloss-black mirror caps, a fixed rear wing and a black tailpipe finish.
There’s also 10-spoke lightweight alloy wheels to set the Edition 1 further apart from the ‘regular’ GT S.
In the cabin, the Edition 1 gets black nappa leather with red contrast stitching, nappa/microfibre Performance seats with integral belt guide, microfibre Performance flat-bottomed steering wheel with a 12-o’clock band, silver chrome highlights and ‘Edition 1’ lettering. Silver aluminium shift paddles are also featured.
