Mercedes-AMG has revealed the 4-door variant of the AMG GT. It's not a CLS, Mercedes says, despite running the same chassis and engine.

This new "4-door coupe" will share its underpinnings with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, but do not mistake the AMG GT4 fora successor to theCLS… rather think of it as an expansion of the GT family.The current range includes the GT coupe, GT roadster, GT S coupe, GT C coupe and roadster and the range-topping GT R coupe, but a 4-door GT version makes perfect sense. It is ostensibly a rival to the Porsche Panamera and tailor-made forhardcore AMG performance aficionados who want the versatility that a 4-door body style offers.

We saw the concept version of this vehicle at the 2017 Geneva Auto Show and it was powered by an electrically-assisted 4.0-litre turbocharged V8, with a combined power output of 600 kW. Power goes to all four wheels via a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive setup and Mercedes-AMG claimed its concept will sprint to 100 kph in under 3 seconds.

The full range of AMG GT 4 doors comprises53 4Matic+, GT 63 4Matic+ and GT 63 S 4Matic+. Power ranges from 320 kW in the V6 53 4Matic right up to 470 kW in the 63 S 4Matic. The other headline figures for the S model is that it delivers900 Nm of torque and shoots from 0-100 kph in a claimed 3.2 seconds. The V8 engines are also equipped with cylinder deactivation technology. In other words, in certain driving modes, it will deactivate 4 cylinders of the V8 to savefuel in driving conditions when they aren't needed. The driver is notified by a display on the instrument cluster.

The V6 53 4Matic is the same new engine as used in the recently launched CLS, the engine uses hybrid tech where an EQ boost (electric motor) is able to deliver an extra 16 kW and 250 Nm of torque. The electric motor is also used to power a compressor that reduces lag and improves throttle response.

The V8s are equipped with multi-clutch 9-speed transmissionsthat allow for launchcontrol starts. The V6 has a 9-speed torque converter automatic with race start mode. As you can no doubt tell from the 4Matic naming convention, all models have 4-wheel-drive, but thedrift modefrom the E63 has been included as standard on the GT 63 S and available as an option on the other models.

Following the latest trend in steering technology, AMG has employed 4-wheel steering forthe GT 4-door (optional on 53). At speeds under 100 kph the wheels turn in the opposite direction of the fronts, to improve turn in and improve the turning circle, while the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the fronts above 100 kph to enhance high-speed stability. Air suspension sorts the 63 models out while the 53 gets standard coil springs with adaptive dampers.

Sales for the AMG GT 4-door will start in the second half of 2018. Expect it to land in SA towards the back end of 2018 or even early 2019.

Related content:

New Mercedes-AMG GT Models to Order in SA

Mercedes-AMG GT R (2016) First Drive

Mercedes-AMG GT & GT C Roadsters Coming to SA

Jaw-dropping GT C Coupe Joins AMG GT Family

Mercedes-AMG GT S (2015) Review

Mercedes-AMG E63 S 4Matic (2017) First Drive

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