Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé - the steam hammer
New cars are increasingly electrified - but not all of them. In any case, AMG has dispensed with any electric support in the new GT Coupé super sports car. Instead, there is a rumbling V8 sound. And a hood that seems to stretch to the horizon.
The A-4130 meanders in endless serpentine lines along the Spanish Sierra Nevada. Tight bends with long straights, freshly asphalted, ideal terrain for a drive in the new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4matic. With short bursts of throttle, the flat coupé roars around the corner as the magnificent landscape flies by. And as the eight-cylinder engine rolls through the small villages with a muffled roar, one or two passers-by give a broad grin.
Thumbs up for a newly developed car that, on the one hand, is so yesterday's news and, on the other, no longer fits into our electrified automotive world? With a displacement of four liters, eight cylinders, 430 kW/585 hp, a top speed of 315 km/h and a fuel consumption that can hardly be pushed below 15 liters, has it somehow fallen out of time? Electric assistance, 48-volt system? Not a chance. But at least for understatement there will soon be an additional GT 55 with a V8 throttled to 350 kW/476 hp via the boost pressure.
The market for luxury vehicles is growing worldwide
Germany is not the automotive hub of the world and vehicles like the AMG GT are sold around the globe. In increasing numbers, in fact. The market for luxury vehicles is growing rapidly worldwide and demand for the GT, which costs at least 188,700 euros, is likely to outstrip supply. In terms of performance and price, the two-door car is in the same league as models such as the Porsche 911 Turbo, Audi R8 Coupé or Aston Martin Vantage.
But despite all skepticism and all basic ecological understanding, one should approach such cars without mental blinkers. After all, they are usually only second or third cars that cover a fraction of the average mileage of a frequent driver. The new GT can also be driven on a daily basis. At least if you like plopping into seats that feel like they are only a few centimeters above the road. And if you can get out of the sports seats with such agility that it doesn't feel awkward.
There should also be suitability for everyday use
In any case, in addition to all the driving dynamics aspects, the developers' specifications also included the issue of suitability for everyday use. Which is why the otherwise two-seater coupé - Porsche sends its regards - is now also available in a 2+2 version with emergency seats for the kids. If the backrests are folded down, there is also space for a crate or two of fine wine in the very reasonable, deep and flat trunk for a sports car. And this also needs to be mentioned: The V8 now always starts in comfort mode, with the exhaust flaps closed and therefore roaring less aggressively. A little restraint is always good for the image and fits in with the times.
But let's just let the fascination of a visually extremely attractive model take effect, whose hood seems to stretch to the horizon when you look out of the narrow cabin. The combination of long hood and compact greenhouse, long wheelbase and short overhangs has always been the basis of any serious sports car. It makes it look fast even when stationary and makes it stand firmly on its wheels. This recipe also works for the GT. The designers in Affalterbach adopted the basic shape of the almost 20 centimeters shorter predecessor, including the striking round rear crowned by a retractable spoiler.
Just under two tons
In technical terms, the 4.73-metre-long coupé takes a lot from the SL roadster launched in 2022. For example, the reinforced body, which is standard on the convertible. As the coupé has a fixed roof, the rigidity is also increased. A material mix of steel, magnesium, aluminum and fiber composites keeps the weight just under two tons. Chassis components made of aluminum also reduce the unsprung masses.
This should allow higher cornering speeds and provide driving stability at the top. In addition, an aerodynamic element that extends up to 4 centimeters from the underbody from 80 km/h sucks the body against the asphalt.
This may be true, but it is hardly possible to experience this on public roads. It takes courage to push the GT to its limits, to even begin to upset it on the winding Spanish roads. You could switch to drift mode, which only directs the drive power to the rear axle. Or simply depress the accelerator pedal on the straight and experience the brute acceleration of 3.2 seconds to 100 km/h.
But an AMG GT is generally always faster than its driver, who is usually traveling beyond all speed limits anyway. And if you use the rotary knob at the bottom right of the steering wheel to click through the drive programs to Race mode, the limits are pushed even further into unattainable territory. However, it is noticeable that the new GT is somewhat more balanced and less nervous than its predecessor.
A somewhat baroque landscape inside
However, the interior would also benefit from a little more calm. Yes, the chrome-plated round air vents, the generously laid leather with the attractive decorative stitching and the stitched seat covers are in keeping with the luxury class claim. And yet the interlocking landscape piled up in front of the driver and front passenger with the 11.9-inch central screen looks somewhat baroque. As in the new E-Class, two massive crossbars with lots of controls extend across the width of the steering wheel. Less would be more here, especially as the voice control of the MBUX system works superbly, as usual with Mercedes. Even the tone of the 64-color ambient lighting can be adjusted with "Hey Mercedes".
We choose a warm, relaxing blue, mentally shift down two gears again and let the coupé roll through the canyons of the Sierra Nevada with a gentle bubble and soft suspension. Pleasurable cruising? That's also possible with the AMG GT Coupé. Very well indeed.
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4matic Coupé - Technical data (in brackets: GT 55)
- Luxury-class sports coupé
- Length: 4.73 meters, width: 1.98 meters, height: 1.35 meters, wheelbase: 2.70 meters, trunk capacity: 321-675 liters
- 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine; 430 kW/585 hp (350 kW/476 hp), maximum torque: 800 Nm at 2500 rpm (700 Nm at 2250 rpm)
- 0-100 km/h: 3.2 s (3.9 s), Vmax: 315 km/h (295 km/h)
- All-wheel drive, 9-speed dual-clutch gearbox, standard fuel consumption: 14.1 liters/100 km, CO2 emissions: 319 g/km, emissions standard: Euro 6d
- Price: from 188,704 euros (GT 55: not yet known)
Source: www.ntv.de
