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 updated GT is a key member of the AMG family that includes EVs, SUVs, sedans, wagons, convertibles and roadsters. With such a diverse mix of product offerings, devotees can rest well-assured that all AMG models, no matter their form of propulsion or body style, share the AMG DNA that is imbued at the Mercedes-AMG home base in Affalterbach, Germany.
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 gen 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. Our new GT is clearly the top-of-the-line product in our diversified portfolio and is therefore not only AMG’s youngest brand shaper, but also a clear commitment to the sports car made in Affalterbach. With the new dimension concept and optional 2+2 seats, we are directly responding to the wishes of our customers,” said Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes‑AMG GmbH and Head of Business Units for Mercedes‑Benz G‑Class & Mercedes‑Maybach.
As a 6’9” owner of a 2009 SL63 AMG, which is powerful and supremely comfortable to drive, I can say that Mercedes-AMG has succeeded in making the new GT an everyday supercar.
So What’s New?
Stylewise, 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 the aforementioned 2+2 seating configuration, but I can assure you the ghosts of Tattoo from Fantasy Island and small children are really the only ones who’ll be happy in the cramped second row. During our media session, Mercedes-AMG confirmed my assessment by saying folks under five feet tall are the comfort max for row two.
Did I just use the word “max?” I did. Please forgive me Petronas-AMG fans!
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. The GT’s AMG Active Ride Control suspension is the latest take on Mercedes’ long-used hydraulic Active Body Control or ABC suspension. The high-pressure, full hydraulic system replaces conventional struts/shocks and front/rear anti-roll bars. Mercedes-AMG’s 4Matic+ All-Wheel Drive is standard equipment, where the previous-gen was Rear-Wheel Drive only. The 4Matic+ AWD system channels 100-percent of engine power to the rear wheels, with the front wheels receiving power only under limited traction situations, like driving during rainy, snowy, or icy conditions. 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. Multi-piston brake calipers clamp down on large, ventilated rotors to slow or stop the AMG GT with authority.
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 far more civilized in every aspect.
Under the long, stylish hood, the AMG GT Coupe will launch with two performance levels of the 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine – designated as the GT55 and GT63. The engines are assembled entirely by hand at the company’s site in Affalterbach 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.
As their marketing tag for all new AMG models, Mercedes-AMG has adopted the “So AMG” moniker. Do you agree that 196 mph is So AMG? I do!
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 uplevel 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 multi-color 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. I had ample room inside for my 6’9” 255-pound frame. Expect to see this beauty in the player parking lots of pro-ballers worldwide.
As you would expect from any Mercedes-Benz vehicle, the AMG GT line offers a raft of standard safety and driver assistance technology.
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.
Both offer great performance products, but only one offers vehicles that are So AMG.
While we were in Granada, we also previewed the 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe. We’ll report on the drive experience for the CLE 53 as soon as we can.
Expect the GT63 to launch in the first half of 2024. 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.
