*SPECIAL PREVIEW*

By Alessio Lidozzi

Like many other auto enthusiasts, I have been waiting for the announcement of the Mercedes AMG GT for a few years now. On September 9th, the world was treated to a unveiling that certainly did not disappoint.

First, let us examine the drivetrain. The Mercedes AMG GT boasts a 4.0-liter, V8 biturbo engine that registers 465 horsepower and 443

pound-feet of torque, while weighing only 460 pounds. So, while this is widely viewed as the little brother to the SLS, this car is

certainly not lacking in power. In fact, an upgrade to the GT S would yield an increase to 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. These specs translate to 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed

of 189 mph.

When designing the GT, the engineers wanted to make a car comfortable not only on a race track, but on the road for

longer journeys, and it appears that they have succeeded, in a large part due to a double-wishbone suspension in the front and rear. This provides sports-grade performance with open-

road comfort: a compelling combination.

Aesthetically, the interior is stunning, and the designers stuck so well to the lightweight, modern aviation theme that it truly feels as though you are settling into a cockpit, rather than a car. The central console is tall and beautifully designed with the same layout as a V8 engine, which I thought was a nice touch. The top-grade interior finish with

contrasting red and black leather only adds to the sophisticated feel of this vehicle.

The exterior, by contrast, is, while sleek, nothing special. The AMG GT features very similar contours to those of the SLS, as well as the long hood, short boot and greenhouse, but without the gullwing doors. However, I like the contrast of the narrow tail lights with the wide bumper, adding to the overall sleek, aerodynamic design. The front of the car features the new

diamond-shaped pattern grill from Mercedes and two large intakes to keep your brakes from overheating.

In all, this sports car was designed to provide a dynamic driving experience: one that would straddle the line between high-performance sports car and comfortable, everyday sports car that is perfectly suitable for longer trips. If you are a fan of the Mercedes SLS AMG (and can do without the gullwing

doors), chances are you will definitely appreciate this slimmer, lighter model, which uses more aluminum and carbon fiber.

Either way, I am very much looking forward to test driving a 2016 AMG GT S

once it is launched in the spring of 2015.

THANKS FOR VIEWING!

To learn more about Alessio Lidozzi, please visit

AlessioLidozziCars.com