In the realm of high-performance automobiles, the legacy of Mercedes-AMG two-door sports cars, from the iconic SLS Gullwing to the original GT generation and even the prestigious Benz-branded SLR McLaren, has consistently blended flamboyant aesthetics with exhilarating performance. However, with the newly reimagined 2024 GT coupe, the brand’s engineering wizards have taken a broader approach, drawing inspiration from the latest SL roadster and embracing a more grand-touring perspective.
Aesthetic Refinement and Enhanced Aerodynamics
Characterized by its gracefully sculpted design, featuring a gracefully sloping front and muscular rear haunches, the refreshed C192-series GT retains its six-figure sports car allure while presenting a more visually pleasing profile. Crafted from an aluminum space frame with integrated steel, magnesium, and carbon-fiber elements, the vehicle’s dimensions have slightly expanded from its predecessor. With an additional 7.1 inches in length, 1.6 inches in width, and 2.8 inches added between axles, the GT boasts a more commanding presence. Notably, active aerodynamic systems are incorporated both in the front underbody and the dynamic rear spoiler. An optional Aerodynamics package further enhances this setup with additional front air deflectors, an accentuated rear diffuser, and a fixed rear wing.
Focused Evolution: Enhanced Practicality and Power
AMG’s primary aim with the GT’s redesign is to cater to existing customers who desire increased practicality without sacrificing performance. The previous rear-wheel-drive layout has been replaced by a standard variable all-wheel-drive system, capable of distributing up to 50 percent of the engine’s torque to the front wheels or the entire 100 percent to the rear axle. Powering this innovation is AMG’s renowned twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 engine, generating 469 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque in the GT55 model, and an impressive 577 horsepower and 590 pound-feet in the GT63. Notably, the new transmission, a nine-speed automatic with a clutch pack replacing the torque converter, is positioned directly behind the engine. This configuration alters the engine’s placement, situating the V-8 atop the front axle line, potentially impacting front-to-rear weight distribution.
Additional highlights encompass rear-wheel steering, an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, an optional front-end lift system raising the car by 1.2 inches, and a semi-active hydraulic suspension with adaptive dampers. The Dynamic Select system offers diverse drive modes, including a Race Start launch-control feature. Despite an anticipated increase in curb weight, the GT63 should still achieve a 0 to 60 mph sprint in approximately three seconds. The vehicle offers standard cast-iron brake rotors, with the option for carbon-ceramic units measuring 16.5 inches at the front. While the initial lineup comprises the GT55 and GT63 models, the high-load HL rating of the rear tires suggests the possibility of a more potent plug-in hybrid version in the future.
Interior Luxury and Practicality Redefined
Compared to its predecessor, the new GT’s interior showcases enhanced luxury, spaciousness, and improved visibility, further accentuated by an optional panoramic glass roof. Boasting turbine-inspired circular air vents and an 11.9-inch center touchscreen interface, the cabin exudes a sophisticated, high-tech ambiance reminiscent of the latest SL iteration. The inclusion of enveloping sport seats with optional massage functionality as standard, upgradable to more aggressively bolstered performance seats, adds to the interior’s allure. Notably, expanded room behind the front seats enhances practicality, allowing for storage or the addition of optional fold-down rear seats for extra passengers.
Convenience and Cargo
Practicality extends to the rear of the GT, where the hands-free power-actuated rear hatch reveals a spacious cargo area capable of accommodating two golf bags. Opting for collapsible rear jump seats maximizes cargo capacity, while models without them feature a fixed bulkhead behind the passenger compartment.
A New Era: Competing with Excellence
With its all-wheel-drive system, enhanced features, and a balanced focus on usability, the new GT emerges as a direct competitor to the renowned everyday supercar, the Porsche 911 Turbo. While purists may lament the shift away from pure sports car attributes, firsthand experience will illuminate the trade-offs. Although pricing details are forthcoming, expectations align with the current SL55 and SL63 starting points—$142,350 and $184,050, respectively—when the new GT arrives in the market within the first half of the upcoming year.