Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Previews To Welcome F1’s Return

By Lee Pang Seng

FORMULA One returns to Malaysia after nine years, albeit as a substitute event, and Mercedes-Benz celebrates that with previews of the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 in three model variants. This is the Mercedes-AMG PRO 4Matic Coupé, the exclusive Mercedes-AMG PRO 4Matic Coupé Motorsport Collectors Edition and Mercedes-AMG PRO 4-door Coupé EV (electric vehicle), which were imported from Germany for the preview.

The first two are top-dollar models fetching above RM2 million, with the Motorsport Collectors Edition priced at RM2,588,888. Only 200 of the Motorsport Collectors Edition would be made and sold, and at the time of the vehicle preview, only one is headed to Malaysia. That could change though if more of the elite class want bragging rights to this model. Each Mercedes-AMG PRO 4Matic Coupé Motorsport Collectors Edition would be tailored to the customer’s preferences. The standard variant fetches RM2,088,888.

These track-ready models are powered by a 4.0-litre (3982cc) V8 biturbo engine tuned by engine experts in Affalterbach and that punches out 450kW (612hp) at 5750 to 6500rpm and a whopping 850Nm from 2500 to 4500rpm. The output is higher against the AMG GT 63 with a 20kW (27hp) increase in power and maximum torque boosted by 50Nm.

This provides quicker acceleration with the AMT GT 63 PRO burning up the road at 3.2 seconds in 0-100km/h sprints. In the 0-200km/h run, Mercedes says the AMG GT 63 PRO is 0.5 second faster against the AMG GT 63 at 10.9 seconds. The top speed is 317km/h. Mercedes says the better performance is achieved by adapting the engine control unit. The transmission is a nine-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G.

The AMG GT Coupé experts are said to have reinforced the high-temperature and low-temperature cooling circuits so that the drivetrain does not get too hot even under increased load. Two radiators are now positioned in the left and right front wheel arches to increase drivetrain cooling and contribute to its overall performance on the racetrack.

Furthermore, the top-mounted radiators of the differentials on the front and rear axles and the transfer case of the fully variable all-wheel drive AMG Performance 4MATIC+ are now actively cooled. With the help of electrically operated water pumps, the coolant circulates in the corresponding cooling circuits and dissipate the heat better and more continuously.

Another cooling approach is employing new geometry of the air guide vanes on the underbody and revised brake cover plates to channel more air to the brakes. Mercedes says this increases durability and prevents excessively high brake temperatures that could affect braking performance.

Car aerodynamics also see changes to improve overall performance in longitudinal and lateral dynamics. Here, the redesigned front apron is made more dominant by integrating additional air deflectors made of carbon-fibre around the enlarged side air intakes. The new AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ Coupé also features active aerodynamic profile in the underbody, the AIRPANEL active air control system in the front apron and a fixed rear wing on the tailgate.

The aerodynamic lift on the front axle is reduced by more than 30 kilogrammes, resulting in a more precise steering behaviour. The new AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ Coupé also has additional air deflectors on the underbody, similar to those on the Mercedes-AMG ONE. These fins, which are located at the height of the front and rear axles, accelerate the airflow on the underbody. These measures are said to coordinate and interact with the rear wing concept, which increases downforce on the rear axle by around 15 kilogrammes.

Getting this super sports car to stop is just as important and this come in the AMG ceramic high-performance composite brake system; it has six-piston fixed callipers at the front and one-piston floating callipers at the rear, and is equipped with 420-millimetre brake discs in front. As in motor sport, performance-oriented brake pads are used. Mercedes says this brake system reduces weight, particularly the ‘unsprung’ masses. Further advantages come in its greater durability and resistance to fading under heavy braking, which is said to guarantee fast lap times.

It looks the part too of a performance sports car with 21-inch AMG cross-spoke forged wheels paired with black-painted brake callipers and AMG Night Package II. Further motor sport emphasis come in the AMG Exterior Carbon Fibre package that features a front splitter, trim strips in the side sills, diffuser and AMG fixed rear wing aerofoil.

The interior features AMG Performance seats in nappa leather/Microcut microfibre, AMG Performance steering wheel in carbon fibre design/Microcut microfibre, AMG carbon-fibre trim, Manyfaktur roof liner in black Microcut microfibre and seat belts in yellow. The intelligent MBUX multimedia system combines a 12.3-inch driver display with an 11.9-inch central display.

The exclusive Motorsport Collectors Edition, limited to 200 vehicles worldwide, is said to celebrate Mercedes-AMG's motor sport heritage through distinctive design elements inspired by contemporary Formula One racing liveries. Finished in obsidian black with an exclusive Mercedes-Benz Star Pattern, the Motorsport Collectors Edition features numerous exterior accents in Petronas colours.

Highlights include Petronas-accented aerodynamic elements, matching brake callipers, unique 21-inch AMG forged wheels with Petronas-coloured rim detailing and a comprehensive combination of AMG Carbon Fibre, AMG Night Package and AMG Aerodynamics Package components. The motor sport link is also clearly stated with the new AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ Coupé being the latest official Formula One Safety Car.

All-new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4-Door Coupé
For those who prefer electric power, the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4-Door Coupé is right up their alley. Its exclusivity as a premium electric sports car is clearly defined by its estimated retail price of RM1,290,000.

This 4-Door Coupé is said to redefine performance being based on the high-performance AMG.EA architecture that underlines Affalterbach's ‘pioneering spirit with numerous world firsts’. Mercedes says that central to this is a newly developed drive concept, strictly designed for high performance, which is being used for the first time in a series-production EV. It utilises a new, highly innovative electric motor technology, so-called ‘revolutionary axial flux motors’, that is combined with a high-performance battery.

The car is equipped with three axial flux motors and delivers an output of up to 860kW (1,169hp) and 2000Nm maximum torque. Inspired by Formula 1 and developed in Affalterbach, the high-voltage 106kWh battery features newly developed battery cells, an innovative direct cooling system for each individual cell and a comparatively high voltage. Its 800-volt architecture, newly developed cylindrical cells and direct cooling of every individual cell are said to support high continuous power, rapid energy absorption, and stable performance under sustained load.

Its outstanding performance is clearly expressed in its 0-100km/h acceleration in 2.4 seconds and a top speed of 260km/h. When fully charged, it has a range of up to 697 kilometres (WTLP – Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure). Ultra-fast charging sees 10-80 per cent 350kW DC (direct current) charging in 16 minutes. Like its V8 siblings, an AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system is standard.

The all-new AMG GT 4‑Door Coupé might be faster than the V8 ICE (internal combustion engine) variant but it has to sound right too. That is where the AMGFORCE S+ drive programme comes in by delivering an ‘unparalleled and immersive V8 experience with authentic shifts and an adapted driver display in the central-tube design’.

Mercedes says the sound portfolio, which is patent-pending, blends the legendary AMG V8 acoustics with innovative electric technology. So, there you have it; driving an AMG EV that sounds like its AMG V8 soul-mate. You couldn’t do any better to win V8 enthusiasts over to electric power.

This sound effect is described as a multi-sensory overall experience that is tailored to the respective driving situation. It is dynamically context-dependent and adapted in real-time to the current driving style. For acceleration, gear changes or burbling, Mercedes says the entire sonic spectrum is ‘unmistakable and typically AMG’.

The technology is described as the result of uncompromising engineering: An intelligent real-time mixing system uses more than 1,600 sound files to sonically interpret each driving situation. Every sample element is broken down into granular loops, while the mix is generated dynamically in real time to match the current driving behaviour.

This forms one of the functions of the AMG RACE ENGINEER Control Unit that has three new rotary controllers on the centre console. Response Control attends to the sound aspect while Agility Control adjusts agility around the vertical axis to influence cornering behaviour, and Traction Control adjusts the intervention level of traction control across nine stages (the last two are selectable only in the Race/S+/S programmes with ESP off). Mercedes says this feature is already proven in the AMG GT R and AMG GT Black Series.

Adding to its dynamic quality is the AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension with semi-active roll stabilisation. The triple-adjustable air suspension is said to offer a wide spread between sportiness and comfort, and the shock absorbers, adjustable in both rebound and compression stages, are equipped with semi-active, interconnected hydraulic elements that replace conventional anti-roll bars. This reduces body roll and enables a wide range of AMG drive programmes. A newly developed lightweight construction technology using die-cast and forged components reduces weight and increases the recycling rate.

Strong body aerodynamics plays a hand here too. The highlight is the active AEROKINETICS Airpanel air-management system, which is further developed from that in the Mercedes‑AMG GT and SL models. It controls airflow according to cooling requirements and operates with vertical louvres. These are located in the centre behind the air intake in the front apron and – for the first time in the new Mercedes‑AMG GT 4‑Door Coupé – also on the left and right sides behind the brake-cooling intakes. This is said to make the AMG model the first vehicle in the entire Mercedes‑Benz Group to feature both a wheelarch cooler and main cooling package in series production. Normally, the louvres remain closed up to higher speeds.

This position enables the lowest aerodynamic drag and maximum range. Additionally, airflow is directed towards the underbody to reduce front-axle lift. Only when certain temperatures at predefined components are reached and cooling demand is particularly high do the louvres open, allowing maximum cooling air to flow to the central cooling module (battery cooling) and side coolers. The active control operates in a demand-based and independent manner across nine stages, up to full opening.