Mercedes-AMG has unveiled an entry-level model of its GT sports activities automobile, dubbed the GT 43, which is alleged to supply better agility.

It swaps the GT 63’s snarling 577bhp 4.0-litre V8 for the mild-hybrid 2.0-litre turbo four-pot from the AMG A45, which places out 416bhp and 369lb ft. 

As within the GT 63, energy is transmitted by means of Mercedes’ nine-speed automated gearbox, however solely to the rear wheels, relatively than all 4. 

These adjustments make the GT 43 considerably lighter total, weighing in at 1775kg, relatively than the 1895kg of the GT 63.

They additionally convey a extra “favourable weight distribution”, in keeping with Mercedes. For reference, the GT 63’s mass is proportioned 54% over the entrance finish and 46% over the rear.

However, in addition they hamper the coupé’s straight-line velocity, with the GT 43 cracking the 0-62mph dash in 4.6sec – slower than the GT 63 by 1.4sec.

As such, Mercedes is positioning the GT 43 as essentially the most agile automobile within the GT line-up, with AMG CEO Michael Scheibe promising it “will put a smile on your face on winding roads”.

Rear-wheel steering, which prompts at speeds as much as 62mph to assist cornering functionality, can be out there as an non-obligatory further.

The GT 43 is in any other case mechanically similar to its thrustier sibling, with the identical five-link entrance and rear suspension set-up that pairs conventional metal springs with adaptive twin-valve dampers.

It’s visually distinguished by much less aggressive styling, with a smaller entrance grille and a reprofiled entrance bumper reflecting its entry-level positioning. The wheel arches are additionally narrower than on the V8 automobile, and tucked beneath them are 19in wheels, relatively than 20in ones.