PARIS – Mercedes-Benz confirms its AMG performance-car division will enter the rarefied ranks of hypercar manufacturers in 2017 with a new mid-engine coupe powered by a hybrid drivetrain featuring technology from its F1 operation in Brixworth, U.K.
Speaking at a media presentation for the new Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster on the eve of the Paris auto show, Mercedes-Benz’s R&D boss, Thomas Weber, outlines plans for the new car, expected to challenge the Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1 and Porsche 918 Spyder at the very top of the road car spectrum.
“Our next big thing at AMG is already in the pipeline. We are going to create an AMG Performance Hybrid featuring our Formula 1 drivetrain technology,” says Weber, who is set to retire at the end of this year. “Under the lead of AMG, our performance companies will join forces and create the most efficient and, at the same time, the best performing and most spectacular AMG of all time – some might even call it a hypercar.”
Set to crown an AMG lineup that will be expanded with another 10 models throughout 2017, the new mid-engine coupe is set to act as a showcase for a new range of hybrid drivetrains being developed by Mercedes-Benz for use in future AMG models.
“It will definitely show how we will take our performance brand into the future with extremely efficient and intelligent drive train technology,” Weber says of the new model. “Of course, as you can expect from us, there will be no compromises in terms of the emotional appeal of this car.”
The new hybrid hypercar is set to form the centerpiece of AMG's 50th birthday celebrations in 2017.
