Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO launched in Malaysia from RM2.09 million, 1,169 hp electric GT 4-Door previewed

KUALA LUMPUR: Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has brought two very different interpretations of the AMG GT to Kuala Lumpur, with the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ Coupé now available from an estimated RM2,088,888, while the upcoming all-electric Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4-Door Coupé is being shown locally ahead of its introduction.

One sticks to the familiar AMG formula of a big V8, four-wheel drive and a considerable amount of hardware intended for track use. The other gives up the combustion engine entirely and replaces it with three electric motors producing as much as 1,169 hp.

Also Read: Mercedes-Benz CLA 200 and GLC EV previewed for Malaysia: 10 things to know, prices estimated from RM275k

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO gets 612 hp V8

The new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ Coupé sits above the regular GT 63 and uses AMG's familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8.

Output has been increased to 612 hp and 850 Nm, which is 27 hp and 50 Nm more than the GT 63. Drive goes through an AMG Speedshift MCT 9G transmission and fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive.

Mercedes-AMG quotes 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, while 0-200 km/h takes 10.9 seconds. Flat out, it will do 317 km/h.

The PRO isn't simply an ECU tune either. AMG has made changes aimed at allowing the car to maintain its performance for longer when driven hard.

There are additional radiators in the front wheel arches, while the front and rear differentials and transfer case receive active cooling. Airflow around the brakes has also been improved to deal with sustained track use.

Aerodynamics have been revised too. The front axle produces more than 30 kg less lift, while changes around the underbody and fixed rear wing add approximately 15 kg of rear downforce.

Other chassis hardware includes AMG Active Ride Control suspension, an electronic rear differential and rear-wheel steering of up to 2.5 degrees.

Stopping duties are handled by AMG's ceramic composite brakes with 420 mm front discs and six-piston calipers.

Plenty of carbon fibre, as you'd expect

The Malaysian-spec GT 63 PRO gets 21-inch forged wheels, the AMG Aerodynamics Package, Exterior Carbon Fibre Package and Night Package II.

Carbon fibre appears on the front splitter, side sills, diffuser and fixed rear wing.

Inside are AMG Performance seats trimmed in Nappa leather and MICROCUT microfibre, a carbon-fibre steering wheel and trim, yellow seatbelts and a black MICROCUT roof lining.

The dashboard combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument display with an 11.9-inch centre touchscreen, along with a head-up display and MBUX augmented-reality navigation.

AMG Track Pace is included as well, allowing drivers to record and analyse lap, sector and acceleration data when using the car on a circuit.

Motorsport Collectors Edition costs RM2.59 million

There is also a considerably rarer version.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO Motorsport Collectors Edition is limited to just 200 cars worldwide and is priced at RM2,588,888 in Malaysia.

It gets an obsidian black finish with a Mercedes-Benz Star Pattern, PETRONAS-coloured detailing, matching brake calipers and special 21-inch forged wheels.

PETRONAS-coloured stitching carries over into the cabin, along with an edition badge and upgraded Burmester high-end 3D surround sound system.

Then there's the 1,169 hp electric AMG GT

Arguably the bigger look at AMG's future comes from the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4-Door Coupé, which Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is previewing rather than fully launching for now.

Well, that's what they said they were previewing, but the car on show is actually the AMG-GT 55 4-Door Coupé, perhaps they couldn't ship in the right car this time around for whatever reason. 

Anyway, back to the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4-Door Coupé, unlike the V8-powered two-door, that car is entirely electric and rides on AMG's dedicated AMG.EA performance EV platform.

Its numbers are considerably more dramatic.

Three axial-flux electric motors produce up to 860 kW, or 1,169 hp, and 2,000 Nm of torque.

Mercedes-AMG claims 0-100 km/h in 2.4 seconds, with a top speed of 260 km/h.

Energy comes from a 106 kWh usable-capacity battery, giving the GT 4-Door a claimed WLTP range of up to 697 km.

It uses an 800-volt electrical architecture and supports DC charging at up to 350 kW. Mercedes-AMG says a 10-80% charge can be completed in 16 minutes under suitable conditions.

An 11 kW AC charger is also fitted.

It's an EV that tries to sound like a V8

AMG hasn't completely abandoned its combustion-engine theatrics.

The electric GT 4-Door gets something called AMGFORCE S+, which attempts to recreate the experience of driving a V8-powered AMG through synthesised engine sounds, simulated gear changes and corresponding displays.

Rather than using one simple sound loop, AMG says the system draws from more than 1,600 sound files, with the soundscape changing depending on acceleration, simulated shifts and driving behaviour.

The sounds themselves are based partly on the AMG GT R.

Whether that convinces someone coming out of a real V8 AMG remains to be seen, but it gives an indication of how AMG intends to retain some of its traditional character in an EV.

Serious chassis hardware underneath

It isn't just about straight-line acceleration.

The GT 63 4-Door gets AMG Active Ride Control air suspension, active rear-wheel steering of up to six degrees, fully variable electric all-wheel drive and individual torque distribution between the rear wheels.

Three physical rotary controls on the centre console allow the driver to adjust response, agility and traction behaviour independently.

Its nine-stage traction-control system follows a similar approach to the system previously used in cars such as the AMG GT R and GT Black Series.

The rear wheels steer in the opposite direction to the fronts at speeds below 80 km/h to improve manoeuvrability, before turning in the same direction at higher speeds for stability.

Active aero underneath the car too

AMG has also gone quite far with the aerodynamics.

Two active elements underneath the GT 4-Door lower at speed to create a Venturi effect beneath the car and increase downforce. The front unit activates from 120 km/h, while the second operates from 140 km/h.

There's also an active rear spoiler and electronically controlled air shutters around the front cooling system.

Despite having a large battery mounted beneath the floor, the new GT 4-Door sits 40 mm lower than its predecessor.

Three screens inside

The interior is considerably more digital than that of the two-door GT.

There's a 10.2-inch instrument display and 14-inch multimedia display, while the front passenger gets another 14-inch screen.

Other equipment includes AMG Performance seats, a SKY CONTROL panoramic roof, Burmester 3D surround sound, augmented-reality navigation and dual wireless phone charging.

Malaysian-specification safety equipment includes MB.DRIVE ASSIST, a 360-degree camera, Blind Spot Assist, DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control and PARKTRONIC.

Mercedes-AMG GT Malaysia pricing

For now, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia lists the models at:

• Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ Coupé – estimated from RM2,088,888
• Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO Motorsport Collectors Edition – RM2,588,888
• Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4-Door Coupé – estimated from RM1,290,000

Despite being the substantially more powerful car on paper, the 1,169 hp electric GT 4-Door carries a lower estimated starting price than the 612 hp V8-powered two-door.

They are clearly aimed at different buyers, though. The GT 63 PRO is effectively AMG doubling down on the V8 performance car while it still can, whereas the GT 63 4-Door gives us a fairly clear picture of what the company thinks the next generation of AMG performance should look — and sound — like.

Also Read: Mercedes-Benz GLC 350e Coupé Nightfall Edition launched in Malaysia, RM442,888 for the blacked-out plug-in hybrid