New Mercedes-AMG GT sizes up the world’s best cars

This V8-powered weapon promises to take high-performance motoring to new heights for Australian car enthusiasts.

Plenty of cars have taken aim at the Porsche 911, but none have delivered a killer blow.

This could be the car to change that.

Mercedes-AMG has unveiled its second-generation GT supercar, a machine that could succeed where the Audi R8, Jaguar F-Type, BMW M8 and numerous others have failed.

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT will take on Porsche’s 911.

The original Mercedes-AMG GT took on the 911 range with high-performance V8 power, a supercar-like rear-mounted transaxle gearbox, snappy dual-clutch automatic transmission and traditional hydraulic steering – ingredients that created a great car.

The new Mercedes-AMG GT should be easier to live with.

Like the 911, the original AMG GT came in a variety of flavours including the ferocious GT R and truly wild Black Series coupe.

The new model takes a different approach, promising to be easier to live with on a daily basis.

A high-tech cabin includes three digital displays.

It adds a second pair of seats behind the driver and passenger, improving cabin storage and making school runs with more than one child a possibility.

All-wheel-drive is now standard, which should make the AMG GT easier to live with, particularly in damp or slippery conditions.

The new GT has back seats and a more usable boot.

Rear-wheel-steering should improve low-speed agility while retaining high-speed stability.

Importantly, the AMG’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 heart remains in place under a luxuriantly long bonnet.

V8 power is standard in the Mercedes-AMG GT.

The car will launch in two states of tune, with a low-powered 350kW/700Nm GT 55 version cable of hitting 100km/h in 3.9 seconds, a more muscular 430kW/800Nm GT 63 model ripping to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds.

Expect the car to cost about $400,000 drive-away in launch form.

The Mercedes-AMG GT has handsome lines.

And for high-performance versions currently under development to double that.

They might borrow the thunderous V8 hybrid engine from the AMG GT 4 Door that offers up to 620kW and 1400Nm of thrust.

Interior tech borrowed from the latest Mercedes-AMG SL convertible includes a digital dashboard, head-up display and a large tablet-style touchscreen.

The Mercedes-AMG GT has a lot in common with the SL convertible.

Electronic toys include a “track pace” data logger that displays lap and sector times on the car’s electronic readouts.

It can even show braking points in the head up display, and show previous racing lines and apex points to help coach drivers to improve track performance.

Expect the AMG GT to cost at least $400,000 in Australia.

Expect more to come in the future, including hardcore circuit-ready versions designed to tackle track specials like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

It just might be enough to knock the sports car king off its throne.

Originally published as New Mercedes-AMG GT sizes up the world’s best cars