Race Car: supercar

29 Temmuz 2013 Pazartesi

SPY: First sighting of the future 2016 Mercedes-Benz GT/SLC AMG (C 190)

Mercedes-AMG has just recently begun testing its brand new sports weapon in the mid-class segment: the new GT supercar, which could also be badged SLC AMG, is destined to arrive in the second part of 2015, with the world premiere probably planned for IAA Frankfurt the same year.

In numerous occassions we have debated on the issue of the future AMG supercar. At one moment, there would have been hardly any chance of the car making it onto streets as a prototype. Now, out of the blue, the first development vehicles have rolled off on the tarmac of Germany.

The engineers have been caught while they were taking the promenade at the wheel of a pre-series GT/SLC AMG vehicle near firm's headquarters in Affalterbach and inside the town. If you make a comparison with the renditions we have showcased in a previous article (see HERE), you will see the digital artist who came up with those CGIs were pretty accurate.

The philosophy based on the progressive approach of forms will ensure the design of the new AMG supercar ends up being even more thrilling and youthful when compared to the SLS AMG. At the same time, details such as the exterior lights, the front wings and apron and the rear diffuser will be added with a dose of sharpness which is set a load of sensation when seen. The single-louvre grille will further increase the heartbeat through the visual connection with the successful Mercedes-Benz performance cars from the past.

The GT/SLC AMG will be smaller in length to the SLS AMG, but the general proportions will be the same: a long engine bonnet with the cabin moved towards the rear extremity. Given the heavy cladding near the door, we can speculate this supercar could be 4-seater, although a 2-seat architecture is more likely given the dwarfed space behind the front seats.

Intensively speculated as an opponent to the Porsche 911, the C 190 will also target Nissan GT-R - no wonder they are testing it alongside this model as visible from some spy shots. Both sports cars are tough contenders, nonetheless, but the GT/SLC AMG will clearly set apart from its competitors.

Among its strong points: the ultra-lightweight architecture based on alloys, aluminium, composite materials and CFRP and the impressive engine list, combining both 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder units with outputs ranging from 333 hp up to 550 hp. The dedicated AMG management programes and systems, as well as the specially designed components (wheels, brakes, suspension etc.) will further increase the pleasure of driving a true supercar.

PREVIEW: An insight into the AMG's future mid-sized supercar - the Mercedes-Benz GT

Mercedes-AMG is throttling up the development of an all-new supercar. After the success of the SLS AMG lineup, which has constantly grown over the past four years, the Affalterbach firm is filling the gap that exists between the Gullwing and the SL 65 AMG with a proper Porsche 911 killer.

In a world that is busy to save the Planet and be greener and eco-er as each day passes, Mercedes-Benz defies the trend and breaks the barriers of convention with the all new GT or SLC AMG medium class hypercar. The 190 model series will transpose into the series vehicle during 2015. The first to premiere is the coupe (C 190), followed in a year or so by a the roadster version (R 190).

The Mercedes-Benz GT/SLC AMG will be fully engineered by Mercedes-AMG, as its bigger sibling - the SLS AMG. It will feature state-of-the-art lightweight construction, which combines aluminium, alloys and composite materials to trim an athletic chassis. The kerb weight should of the GT/SLC could be dropped by up to 100 to 150 kilograms compared to the 197 series.

The body will be shaped in a modern and aerodynamic way, while retaining the hallmark Mercedes supercar silhouette with a longer bonnet and the shuttle moved towards the rear of the model. To save more kilos, the door mechanism will be a conventional one, not Gullwing nor scissors style.

Under the bonnet, Mercedes-AMG will house no less than three different powerplants. First of all, the entry-level version will be powered by thoroughly revised 6-cylinder petrol burner boasting around 340 hp. The next model raises the stake to 485 hp. This performance level will be achieved by the new 4.0-litre V8 BITURBO M177 powerplant. Last, but not least, the S-Model (which could also be fitted with the Performance AMG 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system) will be the pearl of the crown: equipped with an enhanced variant of the M177 engine, it will boast a peak output of 550 hp.

Some indicate a Black Series model is possible towards 2017. Little can be known at this moment, but the GT/SLC AMG Black Series is rumored to pack at least 585 hp. The purchase rice for the new supercar is expected to start at near 109,000 euros in Germany, which is almost 80,000 euros less than the bigger SLS AMG.

It is worth mentioning that the GT/SLC AMG will not replace the SLS AMG (which also receives a gentle makeover for 2015MY). The two are differently marketed models that will live together inside the Mercedes-AMG range. Moreover, the "GT" particle, which indicates the other possible title of the supercar, was probably chosen as to avoid confusion with the iconic Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC roadster model from the 1970s. We shall see, when the car is unveiled in two years time, the final designation of the C/R 190 project.