Mercedes-AMG is putting the finishing touches on the highly anticipated GT Black Series, but new details are starting to emerge about the next-generation sports car.
According to Autocar, the redesigned GT will be launched in 2021 and feature a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine with mild-hybrid technology. Little is known about the system, but it will apparently feature an EQ Boost starter-alternator similar to the one used in the 53 series of AMG models.
There’s no word on how powerful the starter-alternator motor will be, but it will be able to provide an extra boost of performance. This, combined with the upgraded V8, could enable higher-end versions of the GT to produce more than 650 hp (485 kW / 659 PS). The powertrain will also provide significantly more torque and the next-generation GT R could to develop up to 700 lb-ft (949 Nm) of torque – a dramatic increase from the current rating of 516 lb-ft (700 Nm).
To get the most out of the upgraded powertrain, Mercedes will reportedly equip the car with an all-wheel drive system that features a torque vectoring function. This should not only improve traction, but also allow the car to be quicker as it can get power to the ground more easily. To appease the purists, there will reportedly be a Drift mode which sends power exclusively to the rear wheels.
Speaking of performance, the next-generation GT is expected to be lighter than the current model as it will adopt a new aluminum architecture that uses “more cast aluminum components within load-bearing areas.” Besides reducing weight, the new structure is slated to be more rigid than the current architecture.
While the next-generation GT will embrace electrification, it appears a plug-in hybrid variant has been ruled out. According to one source who talked to Autocar, a plug-in hybrid model would need at least a 12 kWh battery to have an acceptable electric-only range and there simply isn’t enough room to install a battery that big.
