The success of the Mercedes-AMG GT coupe is giving the German automaker reason to believe that another dedicated AMG model could be offered, one that would sit above the popular sports car. AMG boss Tobias Moers touched on that possibility in a recent conversation with Autocar, hinting that if the model does hit production, it would take up the slot vacated by the SLS AMG.
If the model does get the approval of Mercedes management, Moers indicated that AMG could go in a number of different directions on how it wants to model to come out. The common belief though, in addition to it sitting above the AMG GT, is that it could be packaged as a mid-engine hybrid supercar that would draw technologies from both the automaker’s current crop of road cars and its Formula One operation. A lightweight construction and electrical power are believed to be the most important elements of the car and taking into account the circumstances, such a proposal wouldn’t be difficult to execute considering that Mercedes already has the resources and the technology to make it work.
The model’s status is still be in its infancy and there are still a lot of things that could happen on how the model will be shaped. But according to Moers, don’t expect it to veer into the direction of a limited-edition hypercar like the Porsche 918 Spyder, McLaren P1, or Ferrari LaFerrari. That’s a non-starter, according to the AMG chief, largely because Mercedes-AMG isn’t planning to enter that ultra exclusive market anytime soon.
So with that avenue out of the question, the likely scenario for this model would be as tech-loaded rival to the McLaren 650S and the Ferrari 488 GTB. It’s worth noting that the SLS AMG served as direct rivals to the 650S and the 488 GTB’s predecessors, the McLaren 12C and the Ferrari 458 Italia, respectively.
In the event the project is approved, there is a scenario that it could be offered in a number of different variants. This could include coupe, convertible, and special edition models, similar to the strategy being employed by its rivals. There’s no production timetable for the supercar, but if Mercedes-AMG is as serious about it as Moers appears to be, expect an announcement to arrive sometime within 2016.
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