What's all this about?

You're looking at something that was hinted at a few days back, but which has now become a glorious reality: this is the third fully in-house-developed model line from Mercedes-AMG and it's the four-door version of the GT sports car. Not only that, but it further previews what AMG will brand as 'EQ Power+' hybrid drivetrain augmentation.

Hold on, a hybrid?!

Yes, but not one that's aiming at low CO₂ and ludicrous three-figure mpg claims. Instead, this is technology that Mercedes-AMG has gleaned from the company's utterly dominant years in the current (if you'll pardon the pun) hybrid era of Formula One. And we'll see the ultimate fruits of that track-related tech in Frankfurt this year, when Mercedes-AMG will show us its mental 'Hypercar'. Until then, feast upon the beautiful GT Concept, which can do 0-62mph in less than three seconds as a result of its part-electrification.

Quick, but how does the EQ Power+ system work?

An electric motor is teamed to the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that we all know and love from the production GT two-door. This electric motor not only boosts the outputs, but it drives the rear axle of the GT Concept's 4Matic underpinnings. The hybrid power pack recharges in a similar manner to the item fitted to the Mercedes F1 car, as its battery is replenished either via brake recuperation or through the means of the combustion engine.

Impressive. What about outside and in?

Inside is a grey area, as the show car is more about teasing the production four-door's shape, but obviously it should have four full-sized seats and a bigger boot than the GT Coupe, which is a two-seat sports car only. Outside, expect the Panamericana grille, twin bonnet power domes and large front air intakes to make the showroom version, while the 'nano active fibre technology' daytime running lights are clearly the next stage in the ever-escalating Teutonic Headlight Wars that have seen everything from OLEDs to lasers drafted into service by the southern German manufacturers, all in order to get an illuminating edge over their bitter rivals.

But enough of the flippancy - the Mercedes-AMG GT Concept is a simply beautiful motor and we can't wait to see what the finished article looks like when it is eventually revealed in all its production glory. Oh, and we love those gold-centred wheels, too.

Matt Robinson - 7 Mar 2017