Mercedes-AMG GT Facelift Prototype Destroyed in Hot-Weather Testing Fire

According to Carscoops, Mercedes-AMG’s development program for the updated GT suffered an expensive setback after a facelift prototype caught fire during road testing in Spain. Dramatic video shared online by Instagram user @kikisnevada_pgarage captured the camouflaged coupe completely engulfed in flames as heavy smoke poured into the air. Fortunately, nobody was injured in the incident, though the prototype appears to be a total loss.

The fire took place in Spain’s Sierra Nevada mountains, a location frequently utilized by automakers for hot-weather testing. The individual who recorded the video noted that the blaze originated in the rear of the vehicle before rapidly spreading. By the time emergency services arrived at the scene, the AMG prototype had already burned to the ground.

While the original social media post claimed that the batteries in the car’s hybrid system caused the fire and stated that onboard fire extinguishers failed to stop the blaze, Carscoops reports that this explanation remains unverified. Mercedes-Benz has not commented publicly on the cause of the incident, and investigators have not confirmed whether a battery was involved.

Carscoops reports that the upcoming AMG GT facelift is expected to retain its V8-powered lineup alongside electrified variants, including versions featuring Mercedes-AMG’s E Performance hybrid technology. However, it is currently unknown if this specific prototype was a hybrid model.

Despite the destruction of the prototype, the fire did not spread to the surrounding environment. While engineers will work to determine what caused the blaze, Mercedes now has one fewer prototype available to continue its development testing.