The Mercedes-AMG GT has entered the final stages of its development ahead of its expected international debut at the Paris motor show in October.

The SLS replacement is likely to get a series of aerodynamic revisions, including a lower ride height, a fixed rear spoiler and a restyled front bumper. Mercedes has also recently revealed a profile shot of the car and some interior details.

Aready described as being "the most beautiful car we've ever designed" by Mercedes' design chief Gorden Wagener. Speaking to our sister publication Autocar UK earlier this year, Wagener said, "You'd think it was hard to top the SLS.” Wagener said that those who have seen it have been comparing it to the Jaguar E-type, although he believes the GT "has more timeless classical lightness to it".

Mercedes is said to have targeted the Porsche 911 Turbo for performance, meaning it'll be looking to beat that car's 0-100kph time of 3.4 seconds, as well as its top speed of 314kph. Mercedes sources have already hinted the firm may have already come close to those targets.

Powering the GT is a new twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine with 503bhp and 66.2kgm of torque. That engine is also set to appear in the C63 AMG in international markets, and shares its architecture with the turbocharged 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder unit found in the A45 AMG and the CLA45 AMG. The engine is mounted low and well back inside the engine bay of the GT, giving it better weight distribution.

Other features of the GT include a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission mounted to the rear axle asemble, as well as a mechanical locking differential. The Mercedes' gearbox is essentially an upgraded version of the unit used in the SLS, although this time it includes an automatic stop-start function for extra fuel economy.

The GT's predominantly aluminium structure, as well as other weight-saving materials, is said to have pushed its kerb weight down to around 1550kg, some 145kg less than the SLS. In its search for class-leading driving dynamics, Mercedes has given the GT a number of shared SLS components, but updated its geometry significantly. The new sports car includes an electro-mechanical steering system sourced from the new C-class, something which replaces the older hydraulic set-up of the SLS.

The Mercedes-AMG GT is expected to go on sale internationally later this year.