Don't need a V8? 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT 43 Coupe adds four-cylinder variant as future Porsche Taycan-rivalling electric car prototype tests in Sweden

If you’re a sports car enthusiast that’s concerned about the environment but not quite ready for an EV - this might be the car for you.

Mercedes-AMG has announced a new four-cylinder turbocharged 'mild-hybrid' (48-volt) version of its sleek GT Coupe sports car, that will sit alongside the much more powerful V8 version.

Dubbed the Mercedes-AMG GT 43 Coupe, the new variant swaps out the twin-turbo V8 that produces - at a minimum - 390kW of power and 670Nm of torque, for a four-cylinder turbocharged unit delivering a still rather significant 310kW and 500Nm.

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It is paired with a nine-speed ‘multi-clutch’ transmission and it drives the rear wheels exclusively.

Mercedes says the electric exhaust gas turbocharger uses Formula 1 technology, and the turbocharger is operated by 48-volt mild hybrid tech. As well as offering an additional temporary boost of 10kW, the 48V system allows for coasting and recuperation.

As a result, fuel efficiency on the combined cycle is 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres. That might sound thirsty, but when you consider the V8’s figure of around 14 litres, it’s an improvement.

Just because it has half the number of cylinders, doesn’t mean it’s slow. The claimed 0-100km/h dash time of the GT 43 Coupe is 4.6 seconds and its top speed is 280km/h. In the V8 GT 63 that sprint time is just 3.2sec.

Sadly for those keen on the four-pot screamer, Mercedes-Benz Australia told CarsGuide that there are no plans to offer the GT 43 Coupe in Australia.

In other recent AMG news, the German performance car specialist has shown off a camouflaged prototype of its first standalone electric car.

In other recent AMG news, the German performance car specialist has shown off a camouflaged prototype of its first standalone electric car.

Mercedes has released pics of the as-yet unnamed model undergoing winter testing in northern Sweden.

Benz says the test mule is underpinned by its upcoming AMG.EA all-electric architecture that will be exclusive to AMG models. It added that testing has only just begun, but ongoing assessment will span “multiple proving grounds, continents and climate zones”.

The first model spawned from this architecture is likely to be the replacement for the AMG GT four-door, which will serve as a rival for the likes of the Porsche Taycan and the Audi e-tron RS.

The drive unit will use disc-shaped axial-flux electric motors that Mercedes says will offer “an unparalleled mix of power density, size, and weight”.

One of the motors has the capacity to pump out 358kW, and a whopping 800Nm of torque.