When it comes to making a fast car, Mercedes sure knows what they’re doing. For the last few years, they have been dominating F1 with their top driver, Lewis Hamilton. Also most recently they have achieved a Nurburgring production car lap record with their AMG GT Black Series, doing a lap time of 6:46:62 which was faster than the Lamborghini Aventador SVJ and the Porsche 911 GT2 RS.
Mercedes is set to launch their latest AMG flagship. It’s called the AMG GT73, and it is an 803hp plug-in hybrid super sedan. It’s a stupidly fast car and it is the first-ever hybrid V8 AMG car ever. Upfront is the same 4.0 Biturbo V8 used in the GT63 and E63 models. Then at the rear is an AMG high-performance battery with a 2-speed transmission and a rear-axle limited-slip differential. It is a seriously advanced car and the power figures are insane. The power figures of the individual engine and motor are not released yet. However, the Biturbo V8 used in the GT63 AMG S pushes out 640hp. The V8 and the electric motor in the GT73 produce 803hp combined. That figure should give you a rough idea of what the electric motor and the V8 push out individually.
The GT73 is stupidly fast. The electric motor completely controls the rear axle with an electric motor mounted to a power module that holds the locking differential and the battery pack. The 6.1 kWh 400-volt battery pack powers the motor. The GT73 is capable of driving solely on electricity, much like the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.
The GT73 will pave a new pathway for Mercedes-AMG. As we all know, the new C63 will be a hybrid, with electric motors and a 4-cylinder Biturbo, and it is likely the new S63, GT AMG, and SL AMG models will all be hybrid-powered. The purist AMG fans are pretty mad at this but why? For years and years, Mercedes-AMG has switched up their character, and the fact that they’re planning on turning their lineup hybrid isn’t big news to me. Mercedes-AMG is not the brand it used to be. Things have changed hugely for them during the last decade.
Does the Gt73 Really Deserve The Flagship Title?
The AMG GT73 is set to receive the flagship title from Mercedes-AMG. The reason why is because it has the most power. It has almost 100 more than the GT Black Series, a car that was dubbed to be the ultimate flagship AMG supercar. The GT73 is the car that will change the AMG world forever. Furthermore, the GT73 is a properly luxurious car. It features a beautiful interior that looks like a private jet. It could be used as a serious GT car as it’s comfortable, it has a decent-sized trunk and it looks beautiful.
The GT73 can easily be used as a day-to-day car thanks to its hybrid powertrain. The fact that it can be driven on electric power alone will be a huge convenience for most people. The speed is beyond insane doing a 0-60 of under 3 seconds. It could well be the world’s fastest 4 door car. It’s more powerful than most supercars and it has so much grip thanks to its AWD system.
The 73 badge used to be reserved exclusively for the top AMG models such as the SL73. The 73 badge was used on the SL73 previously, which was powered by a 7.3 Pagani Zonda V12 engine. The 73 badge hasn’t been around for the last two decades, mainly because there hasn’t been an AMG car that has deserved that badge. The GT73 has to be at the top of the top in order to show that it deserves that badge. It hasn’t got the largest engine at all, but it sure has the most power.
Mercedes are also launching another hybrid AMG called the “AMG one.” That car uses 3 electric motors and a 1.6 liter V6 to push out 1039hp. That car is literally an F1 car for the road and it is a successor to the CLK GTR Street-Version. That’s a properly fast car so isn’t that the flagship AMG? Only 250 of those cars will be made. The technology from that will surely be passed down to other AMG models?
The GT73 however, will pass down its technology onto other models. The platform for the GT73 will probably be used for the new S-class and E-Class AMG. Furthermore, it will also be used for the SL and new GT models. It is a very important platform that is very important for the future of Mercedes-AMG.
803hp in a four-door sedan is a heck of a lot of power. Just imagine if this platform was used in the next top model of the Mercedes AMG GT? Then it would be a proper supercar ready to take on Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, etc.
Is The AMG GT73 A Car We Would Buy?
Is the GT73 a car we would really buy? Well, it is seriously quick and will be a great day-to-day driver. It looks nice and inside it will be very luxurious. Prices will be high obviously considering the GT63 S model has a base MSRP of over $161,000. Expect the GT73 to be $200,000 upwards.
Is it worth the cash? Well, yes in a way because for the same money you can get a Lamborghini Huracan or so with far less power and usability. The closest rival to this car is the Porsche Panamera Turbo-S e-Hybrid which starts at just over $187,000. That has a lot less power though and it isn’t the flagship car.
Should Mercedes have just made an electric performance sedan instead to take on the Taycan? Well yes, they should have done. They are making an electric luxury sedan called the EQS, but that’s more tamed for luxury rather than performance. The GT&3 could have been a hyper electric sedan and it would have made more sense. Maybe one day it will be.
It is usable every day and it kills supercars quite easily. Inside it is just as luxurious as a Mercedes S-class and outside it looks insane. A properly attractive car, but it would be more desirable if it were a 2 door supercar. Why didn’t the GT Black Series have this powertterain? Maybe the next one will, who knows?
Featured image credits via: evo.co.uk