It seems that the first facelift for the Mercedes-AMG GT will bring more than just subtle design upgrades and a new hardcore model.

Sure, there might be some interior tweaks, as well as new equipment, but the most important addition could be a new powertrain, as these new spy shots taken at a Mercedes test facility reveal an AMG GT prototype with a very interesting rear end.

More specifically, it’s the first Mercedes-AMG GT ever spotted with round double exhausts, indicating that the folks from Affalterbach are testing a new engine for AMG’s standalone sports car. What is that engine, you ask?

Well, you may recall that the AMG GT 4-Door is available with a turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six and an electric motor. Mercedes might make that hybrid powertrain available on the two-door model as well. Coincidence or not, the GT 53 4-Door has quad round exhausts just like those fitted to the white coupe prototype in these photos.

In the Mercedes-AMG GT 53 4-Door, the system delivers 429 hp (435 PS). That allows for a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint of 4.5 seconds and a 285 km/h (177 mph) top speed. Expect AMG’s engine wizards to tweak the powertrain further for the AMG GT. A gain of 50 horsepower for a total output of around 480 hp would be a safe bet.

That would be approximately the same power output the current “entry-level” AMG GT offers from its twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine. Consequently, the new AMG GT 53 will most likely replace the base V8 version, although eight-cylinder engines will continue to be available at the top of the range.

2019 Mercedes AMG GT 53 spy shots 6 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT Prototype With Round Exhausts Is Likely The ’53’ Hybrid
2019 Mercedes AMG GT 53 spy shots 5 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT Prototype With Round Exhausts Is Likely The ’53’ Hybrid
2019 Mercedes AMG GT 53 spy shots 4 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT Prototype With Round Exhausts Is Likely The ’53’ Hybrid
2019 Mercedes AMG GT 53 spy shots 3 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT Prototype With Round Exhausts Is Likely The ’53’ Hybrid
2019 Mercedes AMG GT 53 spy shots 2 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT Prototype With Round Exhausts Is Likely The ’53’ Hybrid
2019 Mercedes AMG GT 53 spy shots 1 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT Prototype With Round Exhausts Is Likely The ’53’ Hybrid
2019 Mercedes AMG GT 53 spy shots 6 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT Prototype With Round Exhausts Is Likely The ’53’ Hybrid
2019 Mercedes AMG GT 53 spy shots 5 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT Prototype With Round Exhausts Is Likely The ’53’ Hybrid
2019 Mercedes AMG GT 53 spy shots 4 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT Prototype With Round Exhausts Is Likely The ’53’ Hybrid
2019 Mercedes AMG GT 53 spy shots 3 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT Prototype With Round Exhausts Is Likely The ’53’ Hybrid
2019 Mercedes AMG GT 53 spy shots 2 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT Prototype With Round Exhausts Is Likely The ’53’ Hybrid
2019 Mercedes AMG GT 53 spy shots 1 2019 Mercedes-AMG GT Prototype With Round Exhausts Is Likely The ’53’ Hybrid

Photo credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for Carscoops