Mercedes-Benz presented the new GT sports car today in Germany, showcasing the two-seater's top-of-the-line power and acceleration.
Starting at around $129,000, the GT aims to give the Porsche 911 a run for its money with better performance and a competitive price, Bloomberg News reported.
"The new GT is an important signature vehicle for Mercedes," Juergen Pieper, a Frankfurt-based analyst with Bankhaus Metzler, told Bloomberg News. "The GT embodies the new brand image, which is a lot sportier and more dynamic."
The 2016 GT, which is only the second sports car from Mercedes to be developed in-house, runs on a 4-liter V-8 engine producing 456 horsepower, while an available GT S version cranks it up to 503 horsepower.
Intended to rejuvenate the brand as it moves in a new direction, the GT follows the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG model known for its "gull-wing" doors, according to USA TODAY.
"The new Mercedes-AMG GT is a sports car in its purist form," said Gorden Wagener, vice president of design for Mercedes' parent Daimler, as quoted by USA TODAY. "Breathtaking proportions, powerfully sculpted surfaces and flowing lines turn the new AMG into a contemporary sports car which embodies the spirit of the glorious Mercedes sports cars."
The powertrain should take the GT from zero to 60 in 3.7 seconds with a maximum speed of 193 mph, according to Mercedes.
Besides being a Porsche competitor, the GT is intended to influence the rest of the AMG lineup.
"AMG extending beyond special versions of Mercedes models gives Daimler the ability to compete with the likes of Porsche, Maserati and Jaguar," said Neil King, a London-based analyst at Euromonitor, as quoted by Bloomberg News. "These vehicles have a halo effect on the rest of the range."
No date has been set yet for when the GT will be available to buy; the model's microsite simply says "coming soon."
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