Next Mercedes-AMG GT Ready To Fight Porsche 911 With New Feature

We caught our first glimpse of the car in January of this year, but it looks like the next-generation Mercedes-AMG GT is getting closer to production. Our spy photographers recently spotted the rumored E-Performance hybrid model sporting a wealth of testing equipment, and now the standard version has been seen once again testing on the Nurburgring in Germany. The camouflage looks similar to the winter test mule, but this car has a few visual changes.

Most notably, this prototype is riding on different wheels than we've seen before. These appear to be similar to the Y-spoke wheels found on the GT 63 S E-Performance. They even have the same inner ring mounted behind the spokes. However, we doubt this will be the only wheel design offered on the new GT.

Even with the camouflage, we can tell the new AMG GT looks significantly different than the Mercedes-AMG SL, its platform stablemate. Whereas the SL only comes as a drop-top convertible, serving as the replacement of both the S-Class Cabriolet and AMG GT Roadster, the new GT will only come as a fixed-roof coupe. We initially expected the GT to remain a two-seater, but our photographers believe they spotted small fixed headrests, indicating this car will be a 2+2 with a tiny back seat like the SL.

Power will come from AMG's familiar 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, likely sending power to all-wheel-drive like the current SL. This engine produces 469 horsepower in the SL55 and 577 hp in the SL 63, so we expect the output to be similar for the GT, if not a bit higher. The hybrid E-Performance variant will sit as the flagship, possibly producing up to 843 hp. If those rumors are true, the GT could be a serious contender against the Porsche 911, including the ridiculously quick 911 Turbo S. Based on the production readiness of the test mule, a debut should be coming later this year.