The tarmac at the Nürburgring has not had a moment to cool down if all the Mercedes-AMG testing is anything to go by.

Exciting news hot off the press is that the high-performance brand is developing a second-generation AMG GT with a 600 kW-plus plug-in hybrid, and the paparazzi have been snapping away at the first (camouflaged) petrol-electric grand tourer prototypes being put through their paces on the legendary German racetrack.

 Mercedes-AMG is being secretive at the moment but it’s safe to say that the drivetrain will most probably be based on the AMG GT63 E Performance 4Matic 4-door with a twin-turbo 4,0-litre V8 petrol beast and the SL63 E Performance 4Matic as part of a growing number of high-output PHEV models under their sloping bonnets. It is likely that the new model will also include a 6,1 kWh battery pack. The electric motor will produce at maximum of 150 kW for when you put voet-in-die-hoek with a much more demure 70 kW continuous electric drive available if there is still battery power left after you’ve had you F1 moment. (Sans the celebratory champagne). The overall electric range is only 12,7 kilometres though.

We’re hoping that the two-door coupé will also offer 620 kW and a monstrous 1 467 N.m of torque like its five-door kin but all indications are that the range-topping GT will adopt AMG-’s variable 4Matic + four-wheel drive system. Mercedes-AMG’s clever P3 system channels the reserves of the ICE through a nine-speed MCT Speedshift automatic transmission to all four wheels. In the meantime the electric motor sends power through a two-speed ’box to the rear wheels. As can be expected this model will be 460 kg heavier than the standard AMG GT 63S 4Matic four-door but still bolts from 1-100 km/h is a break-neck 2,9 seconds and has a limited top speeds of 305 km/h.

‘Standard’ versions of the second-generation GT, codenamed M177, will feature an updated version of the current first-generation model’s twin-turbocharged 4,0-litre V8 engine. The recently launched AMG SL 63 4Matic+ develops 430 kW and 800 N.m. and according to the head of Mercedes-AMG Research and Development, Jochen Hermann, the seventh-generation SL will be available in a plug-in hybrid.

 We’re looking forward to sharing more Eskom-defying Mercedes-AMG PHEV updates with you soon.

Words: Thys de Beer