The four-door coupe is set to receive the hybrid treatment, going up against the 680bhp Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid
Mercedes-AMG has officially revealed the plug-in hybrid powertrain that will feature in the upcoming GT73 4-door. Unlike the last AMG to wear the 73 moniker, this iteration of the AMG GT 4-Door won’t come with a 7.3-litre V12 , but will usurp the old engine where power and torque are concerned. Leading the charge for the division’s new E Performance range, the GT73’s electric capabilities put it up against Porsche’s plug-in Panamera Turbo S e-Hybrid.
The model will follow in the footsteps of the 2017 concept, combining V8 power with an electric motor for an output of around 800bhp. The new electric drivetrain components have been developed in collaboration with AMG’s UK-based Formula 1 engine builder.
The GT73’s combustion unit will be an updated version of the M177 hot-V 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 found in the current car, sending power to all four wheels through a nine-speed wet-clutch torque converter gearbox. The rear axle will be electrified though, with a permanently excited motor integrated into a power module that incorporates a locking rear differential and battery pack.
The electric motor in normal circumstances will produce 94bhp, or up to 201bhp during ten second spurts of overboost. This can be directly driven to the rear wheels via a supplementary two-speed gear set or re-routed up to the front wheels if slip is detected.
This differs from the Panamera’s setup by not having its electric motor sandwiched between the petrol engine and transmission, and makes for a more flexible, if complex incorporation of its electric.
Performance figures are yet to be disclosed, but the current 630bhp 63 S can sprint from 0-100kph in only 3.2sec and on to 315kph. The 400-volt 6.1kWh battery pack is also capable of providing pure electric driving capability, but will remain reliant on the petrol engine for a majority of driving conditions.
Pricing is yet to be revealed, but expect it to exceed the $186,000 price tag of the current 63 S.
This article originally appeared at evo.co.uk
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