Mercedes-AMG GT range to expand

Mercedes-AMG’s flagship sports car range is set to make like a rabbit and multiply, with a wave of new models earmarked for Australia.

Currently, the only GT on sale locally is the $295,000 GT S, however it will be joined by the entry-level GT before year’s end. Pricing is yet to be confirmed, but bank on around 10-15 per cent less than the ‘S’.

The cheaper price offsets the drop in performance, the regular GT offering 340kW/600Nm from the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, 35kW/50Nm less than its more expensive sibling.  This lifts its claimed 0-100km/h time to a still-brisk 4.0sec.

Some equipment may also be dropped, but as with all Aussie AMGs expect even the base GT to come heavily specced with equipment that’s optional overseas.

The GT range will expand further in mid-2017 with the local arrival of AMG’s new hardcore GT R, unveiled over the weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Packing 430kW/700Nm and racetrack-honed dynamics, it’ll take the fight to the Porsche 911 GT3 RS with a price tag between $350-400,000. While not a limited run car, demand is expected to outweigh supply

Also expected in 2017 is the newly-confirmed Roadster, which will add open-air thrills to the GT’s repertoire courtesy of a folding soft-top, much like the previous SLS Roadster.