Mercedes had many surprises for the IAA Mobility 2023 in Munich, with the latest being the AMG GT Concept E Performance. The concept, featuring a black and red livery, serves as a preview of the upcoming plug-in hybrid sportscar, crowning the lineup of the AMG GT with a combined output of over 800 hp.
The concept doesn’t appear to have styling differences compared to the standard Mercedes-AMG GT, with the exception of a charging port mounted on the rear bumper. Besides the devilish livery with black paint covering the entire front end including the headlights, the model comes fitted with the optional rear wing and carbon ceramic brakes with gold-finished calipers behind the black 21-inch alloy wheels.
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Pictures: Baldauf / ten Brink for CarScoops
The electrified powertrain comprises the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 and a rear-mounted electric motor. Mercedes didn’t give us the specific output figures for the AMG GT, but a similar setup makes 831 hp (620 kW / 843 PS) in the GT63 S four-door coupe E Performance, and 791 hp (590 kW/ 802 PS) in the S63 E Performance flagship. Those numbers suggest that the PHEV will be more powerful than the previous-gen AMG GT Black Series that made 720 hp (537 kW / 730 PS) from a non-electrified V8.
The second generation of the Mercedes-AMG GT that was unveiled only a few weeks ago at the Monterey Car Week was also present at the IAA Mobility 2023. The 2+2 sportscar is available at launch in two V8-powered guises – the 55 producing 469 hp (350 kW / 476 PS), and the 63 producing 577 hp (430 kW / 585 PS). The example exhibited in Munich is painted in a matte baby blue shade combined with gloss black accents, carbon fiber bits, and yellow brake calipers. Inside, there is white leather upholstery and more carbon fiber on the center console and the steering wheel.
Pictures: Baldauf / ten Brink for CarScoops
Our scoop stories made it clear that AMG wasn’t going to stop in the standard V8, with an electrified powertrain being the best solution for a power increase. The only downside to this is the increased weight of the plug-in hybrid system, adding to the fact that the new AMG GT is already larger and heavier compared to its predecessor. On a side note, the closely related SL Roadster is also expected to get the PHEV treatment, most likely mirroring the specs of its closed-roof sibling.
It is not clear when Mercedes will introduce the E Performance versions of the AMG GT and the SL Roadster to the market but we wouldn’t be surprised if the performance-focused PHEVs enter production sometime in 2024. Below you can see a video of the previewing concept from the IAA Mobility 2023 that was uploaded on YouTube by Planet Car News.