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car review

Mercedes-Benz’s new AMG GT, is replacing the SLS.

You can often assess how important a car may be, based solely on the fireworks an auto maker uses in the unveiling. At the reveal for the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT staged at AMG headquarters in southern Germany last week, media from around the world watched Bernd Schneider, the most successful race driver in German touring car history, introduce historic AMG models as they roared past the outdoor stage. Actual fireworks exploded and, as the smoke cleared and the crackling subsided, Mercedes F1 driver Nico Rosberg drove the new car into a spotlight.

It may seem ironic that a supercar to be sold in limited numbers should receive so much attention, but as car manufacturers try to generate excitement for their brands, the "halo car" remains an important product in their mix.

When Mercedes announced last year that it would discontinue its reigning supercar, the SLS, observers questioned the logic. Now, it's become clear that the AMG GT is the appointed successor, although it is expected to be priced much lower in a bid to compete head-to-head with the Porsche 911.

The two Mercedes supercars have distinct similarities. Both are two-seaters with a front-mid engine/rear-drive layout. The dual-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission is a direct carryover from the SLS. So, too, is the front suspension system. Otherwise, the AMG GT has a shorter wheelbase, a taller profile and a lower curb weight.

The bigger news is this – the 6.2-litre V-8 of the SLS AMG has been shelved in favour of a smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V-8.

Mercedes claims that the V-8 is the first sports car engine with turbochargers mounted inside the cylinder banks, a design called "hot inside V" that enables better response and a more compact design overall.

Initially, there will be two different versions of the new car, the GT and the GT S, both powered by this same engine, but with different levels of boost. In GT trim, the V-8 will develop 456 horsepower, while the GT S will roar with 503 ponies. If the pattern established with the SLS is any indication, even more powerful versions of the Mercedes-AMG will appear down the road.

At the launch, participants listened to the V-8 being tested in the engine bay. As the powerplant was put through its paces, the light fluttering of the turbochargers could clearly be heard, creating a much different aural impression from AMG motors past.

But when Rosberg drove the new supercar onto the scene, the familiar throatiness was back, so it seems there's some artificial sound sweetening going on. This is a common practice with turbocharged engines and the way it's handled will either resonate with enthusiasts or it will not.

The new engine is not a match for that of the SLS in terms of raw performance either, but it might not be all that far off. The GT S will arrive with an estimated 0-100 km/h time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 310 km/h. The quickest version of the SLS accelerated to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and had a terminal velocity of 328 km/h.

On the other hand, the new engine contributes to the startling fuel efficiency of the AMG GT – the estimated combined rating of 9.3 litres/100 km would make the Mercedes the class leader in this respect.

Another significant difference between the SLS and the GT: The former boasts gull-wing doors, while the latter makes do with a conventional set-up. While this may well minimize the cachet of the new car, it should also sharpen driving dynamics – the GT has a lower centre of gravity than the SLS, courtesy of the widespread use of aluminum for the chassis and, in particular, for the roof.

The first version of the new supercar to be made available in Canada, the GT S, is set to arrive in mid-April 2015; the GT is expected to appear a year later. It will be interesting to see how the GT S fares when evaluated next to the competition. While the current SLS AMG has an MSRP of $248,000, the GT is expected to cost significantly less and this could well tip the scales in favour of the three-pointed star.

The writer was a guest of the auto maker.

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