Report: Mercedes-Benz is working on an Audi A7 and Porsche Panamera competitor

German automakers like to match each other’s moves when it comes to competition, especially when it comes to establishing new niche markets with odd cars like the BMW X6 or the Mercedes-Benz CLS.

Now though, it seems Mercedes is looking to build another competitor to the Porsche Panamera, Audi A7, and thus inclusively, the BMW 6-Series GranCoupe.

This may seem a bit odd because, well, they already have a competitor to those models and I mentioned it in the first paragraph: the Mercedes-Benz CLS. So why would they want another one?

Well, according to Germany’s AutoBild, Mercedes plans to reposition the CLS slightly to make room for a new Audi A7, BMW 6-Series GranGoupe and Porsche Panamera competitor.

Styling is said to be more reminiscent of the Mercedes-AMG GT, so that hints at more of a clownshoe-like shooting brake profile, similar to the Panamera. Additionally, the new model will come with a bespoke four-seat interior with a different design than the CLS’s.

Tentatively named the Mercedes-Benz GT4, the new model should be a high-performance model only, sporting Mercedes-AMG’s latest twin-turbo V8 with around 500hp while a more powerful S model should have around 600hp.

Except the same chassis, suspension, and other bits as the next-gen Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG.

A launch date sometime in 2019 is expected.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoBild