Mercedes-AMG GT shows off its interior in New York

We're getting our first official look at elements of the upcoming Mercedes-AMG GT sports car ahead of an expected September debut. The new two-seater, originally rumored to be called the Mercedes-Benz SLC, indirectly replaces the SLS AMG, becoming the second stand-alone model to be conceived, engineered and produced by Mercedes' AMG performance car offshoot at its headquarters in Affalterbach on the outskirts of Stuttgart, Germany.

Mercedes has controversially eschewed any traditional reference to one of its founders, Karl Benz, in the name of its new 500-hp-plus twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8-powered machine.

"The new Mercedes-AMG GT shows that we will be positioning AMG more vehemently and aggressively than to date," says AMG boss Tobias Moers, who describes the new car as “a GT sports car in its purest form.”

The shunning of the reference to Benz in the name is rumored to be part of a wider initiative to more closely link AMG's future road cars with Mercedes-Benz's F1 operations, which go under the title Mercedes AMG F1.

The announcement of the name for the GT at the New York auto show this week coincided with the issuing of two photographs that reveal the stylish interior of the new car, which has previously been referred to by Mercedes-Benz officials under its internal C190 codename.

Mercedes-Benz
Inside the Mercedes AMG GT sports car, set to become a rival to the Porsche 911.

The GT receives a snug two-seat interior featuring high-quality materials and trims together with a combination of bespoke controls and switchgear borrowed from other Mercedes-Benz models, most notably the latest C- and S-class.

A heavily structured dashboard covered in leather and carbon fiber features a hooded instrument cluster, multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles, free-standing infotainment monitor and six round air vents that dominate the cabin, which is described as being roughly the same size as that of the SLS AMG.

As with its predecessor, the new Mercedes-AMG also receives a high-set center console housing all the major controls. The centerpiece is a touch-pad controller similar to that introduced on the new C-class. It is mounted ahead of a stubby gear lever for the GT's standard seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and is surrounded by four round buttons -- two of which boast a rotary function.

A close study of the controls reveals the GT will receive four different driving modes and race start feature, two-stage variable dampers, locking differential and a sports exhaust function. The new rear-wheel-drive Porsche 911 rival will also offer a full suite of connectivity options, including a range of new AMG-specific apps.

In a move aimed at answering criticism of the lack of storage space in the SLS, the new car boasts a cupholder unit in the forward section of the center console, along with larger door pockets.

Holding true to the aviation theme featured on the SLS AMG, the new GT also boasts a row of switches within the roof liner separate to those for the lighting. Included are switches for the seat heaters, rear spoiler and warning lights.

Unlike the SLS AMG coupe, which boasts classic gullwing style doors, the GT uses conventional front-hinged doors. It also forgoes a traditional trunk for a liftback style tailgate aimed at providing it with greater everyday practicality.

By Greg Kable