On the inside, a little of the drama and sense of occasion of the original GT has been lost. The wide, high-rising, button-festooned transmission tunnel of the old car certainly had its ergonomic quirks, but it made the GT feel special all right. It has been replaced by a lower, more practical centre console. Drive selection has been moved to a column-mounted shift wand, while all those enticing console knobs have turned into icons on the car’s large, portrait-style infotainment touchscreen.
The driving position’s fine; the tech itself is familiar and usable enough; the lashings of satin chrome and lacquered carbon decor glitter and shine nicely; and those new back seats, though very upright, are probably just about habitable for smaller travellers over short hops. But the ambience is just a little ordinary – Merc typical rather than extra-special.
The moderate increase in roof height has created some extra head room. Boot space is generous by sports car standards, extending from 321 to 675 litres when those back seats are folded down. Luggage space takes a hit in the E Performance hybrid due to the mounting of the electric drive unit at the rear.