The Mercedes-AMG GT is the latest AMG sports car to adopt a four-cylinder engine – but not in Australia.
An addition to the recently-revealed AMG GT lineup, the new GT 43 moves away from the 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 engine, which produces 350kW and 700Nm in GT 55 4Matic+ guise, or 430kW and 800Nm in the flagship GT 63 4Matic+.
Instead, the AMG GT 43 is powered by an engine half as big, with half as many cylinders and turbochargers – adopting a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine and 48-volt mild-hybrid system, developing 310kW and 500Nm.
This is identical to the flagship Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4Matic+ hot hatch, and up on the 280kW and 480Nm outputs of its SL 43 convertible sibling.
However, like the SL 43, the AMG GT 43 has been ruled out from an Australian berth for now, with the brand’s local division telling CarExpert, “Currently there are no plans to bring the GT 43 to Australia”.
While a reason has not been cited, the SL 43 was nixed from being offered in Australia due to historically high demand for flagship variants.
Unlike the all-wheel drive, V8-powered GT, the four-cylinder coupe sends drive to the rear wheels, but retains the more powerful model’s nine-speed multi-clutch automatic transmission.
Mercedes-AMG claims the GT 43 accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds – 0.7 to 1.4 seconds slower than the all-wheel drive V8 – before reaching a top speed of 280km/h.
Standard fit are a set of 19-inch light alloy wheels, though multiple designs across 20- and 21-inch diameters are also available.
Though it comes standard as a two-seater, there will be a cost option for overseas buyers to upgrade to a 2+2 seating arrangement.
The entry-level interior design largely carries across from the existing AMG GT coupes, with a 11.9-inch portrait touchscreen running the MBUX infotainment system located on the centre tunnel, a digital instrument cluster, and a multi-function steering wheel.
A set of optional packages are also available, such as the Night Package (featuring black exterior highlights) and the Dynamic Plus Package, which adds more track-focused upgrades.
European deliveries are slated to begin later this year.
