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Car Review: 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe: A well-executed performer that is a standard-bearer for internal combustion sports cars

January 7, 2024, 6:55 AM

Brian Armstead, Special Contributor

A-M-G: Three letters that stoke fear in pretender performance cars, and instill worship in those who understand what the ultra-performance wing of Mercedes-Benz is all about.

The Sierra Nevada Mountain range on the outskirts of Granada, Spain, served as the perfect test bed for the latest iteration of three-letter superiority: the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT.

The new GT is a well-massaged version of the first-generation AMG GT that bowed in 2015 and ended production in 2023. Hardcore AMG enthusiasts loved the raw performance of the first generation car, but feedback from GT customers suggested the car was a bit too raw, and some refinement was in order to make the new GT more livable in day-to-day driving.

With that, the second generation, 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT has been thoroughly massaged to bring it within true Grand Turismo (GT) customer expectations.

“The new AMG GT Coupe combines highly dynamic driving characteristics and distinctive sportiness with a high level of everyday comfort,” said Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes‑AMG GmbH and Head of Business Units for Mercedes‑Benz G‑Class & Mercedes‑Maybach.

<p><strong>What’s new?</strong></p> <p>Style wise, you would be hard pressed to see the differences between the two generations. Gen 2 is wider, longer and taller than Gen 1. The longer wheelbase allows customers to opt for a 2+2 seating configuration.</p> <p>The new GT is over 700 pounds heavier than the Gen 1 model, but suspension dynamics and body state-of-the-art body construction mean none of the road-carving capabilities of the first GT have been lost.</p> <p>The 2024 model is built using steel in various strengths, aluminum, magnesium and fiber composite materials; resulting in high rigidity at a proportionally low weight, given the ability to tote two additional passengers with the 2+2 option.</p> 1/6
The Sierra Nevada Mountain range on the outskirts of Granada, Spain served as the perfect test bed for the latest iteration of three-letter superiority: the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT. (Courtesy Mercedes-Benz AG/Mercedes-Benz AG – Communications & Marketing)

What’s new?

Style wise, you would be hard pressed to see the differences between the two generations. Gen 2 is wider, longer and taller than Gen 1. The longer wheelbase allows customers to opt for a 2+2 seating configuration.

The new GT is over 700 pounds heavier than the Gen 1 model, but suspension dynamics and body state-of-the-art body construction mean none of the road-carving capabilities of the first GT have been lost.

The 2024 model is built using steel in various strengths, aluminum, magnesium and fiber composite materials; resulting in high rigidity at a proportionally low weight, given the ability to tote two additional passengers with the 2+2 option.

2/6
Active rear-axle steering can turn the rear wheels inward or outward to assist with parking at low speeds, and add stability at high speeds. (Courtesy Mercedes-Benz AG/Mercedes-Benz AG – Communications & Marketing)
<p>The GT’s AMG Active Ride Control suspension features a high-pressure, full hydraulic system that replaces conventional struts/shocks and front/rear anti-roll bars. Active rear-axle steering can turn the rear wheels inward or outward to assist with parking at low speeds, and add stability at high speeds. The effectiveness of the rear-axle steering system was immediately apparent as we carved up Sierra Nevada mountain roads at very high speeds with no drama. Engine and suspension settings can be driver controlled to dial in comfort or performance. Even at that the most aggressive settings for both, the new GT is civilized in every aspect.</p> <p>Under the long, stylish hood, the AMG GT Coupe will launch with two performance levels of the 4.0-liter V-8 biturbo engine — designated as the GT55 and GT63. The engines are assembled entirely by hand at the company&#8217;s site in Affalterbach, Germany according to the &#8220;One Man, One Engine&#8221; hand-assembled philosophy. The GT55 engine outputs 469-horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque; while the GT63 engine delivers 577 hp and 590 pound-feet of torque, available over a wide engine speed range from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm. Our test GT63 hurtles from 0 to 62 mph takes just 3.2 seconds, and the top speed is 196 mph. Active aerodynamics offer performance and fuel efficiency benefits.</p> 3/6
The GT’s AMG Active Ride Control suspension features a high-pressure, full hydraulic system that replaces conventional struts/shocks and front/rear anti-roll bars. (Courtesy Mercedes-Benz AG/Mercedes-Benz AG – Communications & Marketing)

The GT’s AMG Active Ride Control suspension features a high-pressure, full hydraulic system that replaces conventional struts/shocks and front/rear anti-roll bars. Active rear-axle steering can turn the rear wheels inward or outward to assist with parking at low speeds, and add stability at high speeds. The effectiveness of the rear-axle steering system was immediately apparent as we carved up Sierra Nevada mountain roads at very high speeds with no drama. Engine and suspension settings can be driver controlled to dial in comfort or performance. Even at that the most aggressive settings for both, the new GT is civilized in every aspect.

Under the long, stylish hood, the AMG GT Coupe will launch with two performance levels of the 4.0-liter V-8 biturbo engine — designated as the GT55 and GT63. The engines are assembled entirely by hand at the company’s site in Affalterbach, Germany according to the “One Man, One Engine” hand-assembled philosophy. The GT55 engine outputs 469-horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque; while the GT63 engine delivers 577 hp and 590 pound-feet of torque, available over a wide engine speed range from 2,500 to 4,500 rpm. Our test GT63 hurtles from 0 to 62 mph takes just 3.2 seconds, and the top speed is 196 mph. Active aerodynamics offer performance and fuel efficiency benefits.

4/6
Gen 2 is wider, longer and taller than Gen 1. The longer wheelbase allows customers to opt for a 2+2 seating configuration. (Mercedes-Benz AG/Mercedes-Benz AG – Communications & Marketing)
<p><strong>Performance/Luxe Interior</strong></p> <p>Step inside the new AMG GT, and all of the things that make any Mercedes a Mercedes are omnipresent. An aesthetic commingling leather, carbon fiber and polished metal trim gives the interior a dual performance/luxury-oriented flavor. An 11.9 -inch MBUX infotainment display is intuitive, and the up-level Burmester sound system provided sweet sounds lest you get tired of listening to the aural orchestra emanating from the engine and exhaust system. At night, expect to be wowed by the multicolor LED ambient lighting throughout the cockpit. It’s truly spectacular. A glass panoramic roof is a welcome option, and really helps brighten the low-slung interior.</p> <p>As you would expect from any Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the AMG GT line offers a raft of standard safety and driver assistance technology.</p> 5/6
Step inside the new AMG GT, and all of the things that make any Mercedes a Mercedes are omnipresent. An aesthetic commingling leather, carbon fiber and polished metal trim gives the interior a dual performance/luxury-oriented flavor. (Mercedes-Benz AG - Global Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars & Vans)

Performance/Luxe Interior

Step inside the new AMG GT, and all of the things that make any Mercedes a Mercedes are omnipresent. An aesthetic commingling leather, carbon fiber and polished metal trim gives the interior a dual performance/luxury-oriented flavor. An 11.9 -inch MBUX infotainment display is intuitive, and the up-level Burmester sound system provided sweet sounds lest you get tired of listening to the aural orchestra emanating from the engine and exhaust system. At night, expect to be wowed by the multicolor LED ambient lighting throughout the cockpit. It’s truly spectacular. A glass panoramic roof is a welcome option, and really helps brighten the low-slung interior.

As you would expect from any Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the AMG GT line offers a raft of standard safety and driver assistance technology.

<p><strong>Ultimate Driving Machine?</strong></p> <p>Not trying to start a battle between Mercedes-AMG and BMW M, but the competition between these German manufacturers has been, and will always be intense.</p> <p>Expect the GT63 to launch in the first half of 2024, with the GT55 launch later. U.S. pricing is not yet set, but expect to shell out about $150K for the GT55 to about $200K for a full-tilt GT63.</p> 6/6
The effectiveness of the rear-axle steering system was immediately apparent as we carved up Sierra Nevada mountain roads at very high speeds with no drama. Engine and suspension settings can be driver controlled to dial in comfort or performance. Even at that the most aggressive settings for both, the new GT is civilized in every aspect. (Courtesy Mercedes-Benz AG/Mercedes-Benz AG – Communications & Marketing)

Ultimate Driving Machine?

Not trying to start a battle between Mercedes-AMG and BMW M, but the competition between these German manufacturers has been, and will always be intense.

Expect the GT63 to launch in the first half of 2024, with the GT55 launch later. U.S. pricing is not yet set, but expect to shell out about $150K for the GT55 to about $200K for a full-tilt GT63.

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