The Mercedes-AMG GT 43 is for those who don’t like paying huge amounts for annual road tax.
The first Mercedes-AMG GT was quite the beast. It was sold in a variety of bodystyles and performance levels, but always with a turbocharged 4.0L V8 even in its four door guise. The only exception was the race-bred GT3 model, which came with a naturally-aspirated 6.2L V12.
Now with the 2nd generation AMG GT, we see a huge change in philosophy as the vehicle will be available not only with a turbocharged 4.0L V8, but with a turbocharged and electrified 2.0L four cylinder as well.
How To Tell The AMG GT 43 Apart Visually?
The exterior design features a distinct front apron design with large air inlets across the width of the vehicle. The fenders are narrower and so is the track width. There are new trim parts for the front fenders. The rear apron is also unique with round double tailpipe trims instead of trapezoidal ones.
AMG GT 43 in yellow, AMG GT 63 S in silver
The interior features a ‘hyper-analogue’ cockpit design with a fully digital instrument cluster in a 3D visor, an 11.9″ infotainment system in portrait format and the latest MBUX system with AMG-specific content. AMG sports seats in Nappa leather are standard with electrical and manual adjustment. AMG performance seats are optional.
Performance Differences
This new Mercedes-AMG GT 43 is powered by the M139 petrol engine, the most powerful four cylinder in production. It also powers other Mercedes-AMG products like the A45. Besides that you’ll also find it as an option for the Lotus Emira. In the AMG GT, it is tuned to generate 421 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque thanks to a combination of an electric exhaust gas turbocharger and a mild hybrid system with a starter generator that can boost power by 14 hp temporarily.
Although it shares the same 9-speed automatic AMG Speedshift MCT with the other V8 models, it does not get 4MATIC. That means the AMG GT 43 is rear-wheel drive only. Still, performance is quite respectable. 0-100km/h takes 4.6 seconds and the top speed is 280 km/h. For context, the V8 powered models do 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds and 3.2 seconds depending on whether you get the 469 hp or 577 hp model.
The combination of light weight 4 cylinder and rear-wheel drive could make this quite an exciting vehicle in the corners. Most important of all, the car manages to sip just 10.3 litres of petrol every 100km under the right conditions. The vehicle’s onboard 48V system helps keep the car’s electrical systems, like the climate control, running even when the engine is temporarily halted while coasting and recuperating energy.
AMG high-performance composite brakes (cast steel discs, aluminium pots) are fitted here with 390 x 36 mm six piston fixed caliper brakes at the front and 360 x 26 mm single piston floating calipers at the rear. Suspension consists of AMG steel springs and aluminium shock absorbers with lightweight coil springs. Rear axle steering is available for better high-speed stability or low speed agility.
Other performance options include the Dynamic Plus package, which includes:
- Dynamic AMG engine mounts
- electronically-controlled AMG rear axle locking differential
- RACE driving programme
- active underbody aerodynamic element
- rigid rear wing
This package also comes with yellow-painted AMG brake calipers but that’s not exactly performance enhancing. Other options for the AMG GT 43 include:
- 19 – 20 inch light-alloy wheels, 21 inch forged wheels.
- 2+2 seating option
