An all-new aluminium chassis sports car developed entirely in-house by AMG and available in two variants offering 462 bhp and 510 bhp; here are some facts.

With the new Mercedes-AMG GT, the Mercedes-AMG sports car brand is moving into a new, top-class sports car segment for the company. The GT is the second sports car developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG: The combination of aluminium spaceframe, V8 biturbo engine with dry sump lubrication, seven-speed dual clutch transmission in transaxle configuration at the rear axle, locking differential, sports suspension with aluminium double-wishbone suspension and the low kerb weight of 1,540 kg promises racetrack performance.

This concept of front mid-engine and transmission in transaxle configuration makes for a beneficial weight distribution of 47 to 53 percent between the front and rear axle. In conjunction with the vehicle's low centre of gravity, this translates into extremely agile handling and permits high cornering speeds. With a power-to-weight ratio of 3.3 kg per hp, the Mercedes-AMG GT self-confidently lines up alongside the very best in its segment. The sports car also sets a new benchmark figure for fuel economy: fuel consumption of 10.8 km/L (combined).

The centrepiece of the Mercedes-AMG GT has to be the new 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo engine, which is claimed to respond instantly with extreme power right from low revs and delivers outstanding performance. Top figures includes a zero to 100 km/h timing of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h. The 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine was developed specifically for the GT. The eight-cylinder engine is the newest member of the BlueDIRECT engine family, boasting outstanding power delivery, performance figures on a par with motor racing, lightweight construction as well as high efficiency and environmental compatibility.

With a displacement of 3,982 cc, the V8 uses a range of technologies which are already being used in the 2.0-litre turbo engine in the A 45 AMG, CLA 45 AMG and GLA 45 AMG – presently the most powerful, series-production four-cylinder engine in the world. Both engines have the same bore/stroke ratio, providing the basis for high revving ability. This engine meets the Euro 6 emissions standard, including the maximum particulate emissions level that takes effect in 2016.

The new AMG V8 engine has two turbochargers which are not mounted on the outside of the cylinder banks but rather inside the V configuration – experts call it a "hot inside V". The benefits are a compact engine design, an optimum response from the turbochargers and low exhaust gas emissions thanks to optimum air flow for the close-coupled catalytic converters. The dry sump lubrication also ensures the oil supply even with high lateral forces and allows the engine to be installed lower, thus moving the centre of gravity closer to the road and forming the basis for high lateral acceleration.

The GT comes as standard with a mechanical rear-axle locking differential which ensures traction and superb driving safety in all driving conditions. The GT S is fitted as standard with an electronically controlled rear-axle locking differential, which is integrated into the compact transmission housing. The system operates with a variable locking effect in acceleration and overrun mode, and is perfectly tuned to the various driving conditions and road surface friction coefficients.

The sportily designed cockpit, in carbon fibre look, provides information with two classic circular instruments in a 2-tube look and a 320 km/h speedometer scale. The performance steering wheel with its three-spoke design comes with aluminium shift paddles, 12 o'clock marking and a steering wheel rim in black nape leather with flattened bottom section. The sports seats in 'Artico' man-made leather/black fabric with integral head restraints and AMG lettering provide optimised lateral support when driving dynamically.