Mercedes-AMG Close To Unleashing 800hp 2022 Hybrid GT 73e 4-Door Coupe

The upcoming, and previously teased, Mercedes-AMG flagship sedan, is all but confirmed to be making a debut - even arriving in showrooms - within a few months time, pairing hybrid power with Affalterbach’s mighty twin-turbo V8 for a combined output of more than 800hp - or so goes the rumour mill.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT 73e is an upcoming, hybrid version of the company’s range-topping GT 4-Door to slot above the combustion-only GT63, itself related more to the E-Class-based CLS than the two-door GT coupe. As such, some are claiming this as the spiritual successor to the famed W124-based brute, the 300CE Hammer from 1988.

Set to become the range-topping model, the GT 73e (or, its full name: GT 73e 4Matic+ EQ Power+ 4-Door Coupé) will feature a hybrid drivetrain that brings together the already familiar M177 4.0-liter V-8 petrol engine and a rear-mounted electric motor.

The hybrid saloon is said to generate around 800hp combined and offer an all-electric range of around 25 miles on the WLTP cycle, making it the most powerful and fastest-accelerating four-door ever put out by AMG, with a 0-100km/h sprint time of under 3 seconds and a top speed over 320km/h.

As is, the electrified and performance-oriented hybrid powertrain is also set to make an appearance in the upcoming SL as well as an AMG-fettled version of the S-Class. Later on, however, that rear-mounted electric motor and hybrid backbone will be a shared basis for the C 63, albeit paired to a turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-4 - reportedly.

This layout is termed by Mercedes-AMG as P3, which utilises an electric motor integrated into the rear axle assembly, freeing up the engineers from the packaging constraints posed by the older P2 system used in Mercedes-Benz’s PHEVs which had its e-motor sat within the automatic transmission housing.

Not only does the P3 allow direct drive to the rear wheels with minimal frictional losses for more instantaneous performance, but it also optimises weight distribution and is more efficient when driving on full electric mode.

Where previously, with P2, the electric motor was constrained by the torque limitations of the gearbox, a rear-mounted motor allows AMG to fit a much more powerful unit. Specifically, various sources point to the motor being related to the ZF-produced M0 found in the Benz’s own EQC, reportedly boasting around 205PS and 362Nm on its own.

Given an unchanged output from the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 from the GT 63S at 640PS and 900Nm, the electric motor assist should easily bump combined torque well beyond the 1,000Nm mark, perhaps even comparable to AMG’s upcoming One hypercar with its F1-derived hybrid power unit.

The only real competitor to the GT 73e will be the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid, which also pairs a 4.0-litre V8 to an electric motor. Launched in 2017, it has comfortably stayed at the top of the fast saloon pecking order.

Following its 2021 facelift and spec bump, the Porsche now produces 700PS and 870Nm, but that might not be enough of a boost to face off against this newest electrified big boss from AMG.