2017 MERCEDES-BENZ GT

Please note this lot description is subject to vendor approval and therefore may be amended.

For decades, Porsche has enjoyed a certain level of domination in the high performance, rather expensive, super coupé market, however in October 2014 at the Paris Motor Show, Mercedes showed their interest in taking the fight to Porsche with the AMG GT. Building on their hugely successful SLS AMG, the AMG GT is the second car in the company’s history developed completely in-house by Mercedes AMG

Two models were available at launch, an entry-level 469bhp GT Roadster and this more expensive and altogether more grown up 549bhp GT C version. The C was positioned part way between the standard cars and the flagship, coupé only GT-R, offering more precision but a less hardcore setup than the brutal range-topper. It featured a wider track than the base GT and GT S models, giving it a more muscular and aggressive appearance and the styling was slightly less 'retro' than the SLS with curvier lines and bulges and a sweeping fast back design. The distinctive, chrome-laden Panamericana grille was inspired by historic Mercedes racers of the past and looked capable of swallowing a 911 for lunch.

Motivation is provided by a hand-built 4-litre, twin-turbocharged, M178 V8 generating 549bhp and 502lb/ft of torque fed through an AMG Speedshift 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with a rear-mounted transaxle layout and electronically controlled limited-slip differential. Numbers are, as you might imagine, with 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds on its way to 196mph and the three-layer fabric roof can be opened or closed in just 11 seconds at speeds up to 31mph should you wish to enjoy the enhanced howl from the switchable AMG performance exhaust system.