2019 Mercedes-AMG GT Four-Door Spied!

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What It Is: A four-door take on the AMG GT sports car that will compete with premium hatchbacks and so-called "four-door coupes" such as Audi's RS7 and Porsche's Panamera. Designed to evoke the awesome AMG GT coupe and roadster, the E-class-based four-door (its name is forthcoming) is lower and wider and features a more steeply raked windshield and a sloping fastback, both of which are disguised on the prototype Pictureed here.

Why It Matters: The four-door AMG GT is among a tiny but growing cohort of Mercedes-AMG-specific models without less sporty, pedestrian Mercedes-Benz-badged counterparts. So far, the only other stand-alone Mercedes-AMG models are the aforementioned GTs. Why expand AMG's footprint? The AMG brand has seen huge growth in the past few years as luxury buyers flock to its wares, which typically are the most expensive versions of Mercedes models. It makes sense to add more exclusive, expensive, and AMG-only models to the lineup because, well, there's money to grab. On a more specific level, the four-door GT-not to be confused with the AMG GT3 race car-also partially fills the void left by the outgoing (and not-for-US) CLS Shooting Brake wagon, which will not be Replaced.

What It Is: A four-door take on the AMG GT sports car that will compete with premium hatchbacks and so-called "four-door coupes" such as Audi's RS7 and Porsche's Panamera. Designed to evoke the awesome AMG GT coupe and roadster, the E-class-based four-door (its name is forthcoming) is lower and wider and features a more steeply raked windshield and a sloping fastback, both of which are disguised on the prototype Pictureed here.

Why It Matters: The four-door AMG GT is among a tiny but growing cohort of Mercedes-AMG-specific models without less sporty, pedestrian Mercedes-Benz-badged counterparts. So far, the only other stand-alone Mercedes-AMG models are the aforementioned GTs. Why expand AMG's footprint? The AMG brand has seen huge growth in the past few years as luxury buyers flock to its wares, which typically are the most expensive versions of Mercedes models. It makes sense to add more exclusive, expensive, and AMG-only models to the lineup because, well, there's money to grab. On a more specific level, the four-door GT-not to be confused with the AMG GT3 race car-also partially fills the void left by the outgoing (and not-for-US) CLS Shooting Brake wagon, which will not be Replaced.

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Platform: Contrary to what its temporary name suggests, the four-door GT is not a stretched GT sports car but rather the sportiest E-class. Built atop that sedan's MRA longitudinal-engine, rear-wheel-drive architecture, the GT four-door will be mechanically close to the Mercedes-AMG E63, albeit with a wider track, a lower body, and an entirely unique roofline.

Powertrain: We know for sure that there will be no four-cylinder engine choices for this AMG. A hybrid inline-six with more than 400 horsepower could be the base setup, and the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 that powers the AMG GT and the E63 is a given. A powerful diesel is possible for European markets; It would be AMG's first diesel since the 2002-2004 C30 CDI Sportcoupe, and it almost assuredly would not come to the United States. The Geneva auto show concept that previewed the production GT four-door showcased a hybridized V-8 powertrain with more than 800 horsepower; If AMG puts that powertrain into production, it may outperform the impressive Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.