Distinct from the GT 4-Door Coupe, the GT Coupe is akin to the SL’s hard-topped sibling. Despite being heavier than Mercedes-AMG’s initial GT, the 2+2 sports tourer benefits greatly from 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, enhancing performance both in a straight line and on the track.
Under Uwe Sener’s guidance, a stock GT 63 clocked 1 minute 18 seconds at Anneau du Rhin’s 3.621 kilometers (or 2.250 miles) track. This outpaces the SL 63’s time of 1 minute 21 seconds. Notably, the track record for production cars stands at 1.17:80, achieved by the 992-generation Porsche 911 Turbo, which is slightly lighter than the GT 63.
The GT’s lap performance can be viewed in two lights. It’s undeniably impressive, yet the prevalent understeer may deter some potential buyers. Despite being equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires, the GT struggles to overcome its weight, a significant departure from the previous-gen GT S Coupe’s 1,590 kilograms (3,505 pounds).
The rationale behind the SPEEDSHIFT MCT nine-speed automatic transmission becomes clearer with the advent of 4MATIC+ and the forthcoming 63 S E PERFORMANCE variant. Featuring a plug-in hybrid twin-turbo V8 setup, the SL 63 S E PERFORMANCE boasts a staggering 805 horsepower and an estimated peak torque of 1,047 pound-feet (1,420 Nm).
Moving the GT to the SL’s platform has also increased passenger and cargo space. In the United States, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe boasts 23.8 cubic feet (674 liters) of cargo capacity with the rear seats folded.
Scheduled for dealership arrivals this spring, the GT 55 starts at $134,900. Opting for the GT 63 commands a price of $175,900, excluding destination and delivery charges, which add $1,150. Model year 2025 will introduce the GT 43, featuring a four-cylinder engine. While it may bear an AMG engine, the 2.0-liter turbocharged mill is a questionable fit for this vehicle. Similarly, the 671-horsepower C 63 S E Performance raises eyebrows.
The GT 43’s reception may be challenging in both the United States and Europe, given Ford’s discontinuation of the four-cylinder Mustang due to poor sales. Europeans associate the Mustang with potent V8 power, while AMG has built its reputation on burbly V8s like the one found in the W204 C 63.
Complicating matters further, AMG is developing an electric liftback as a successor to the GT 4-Door Coupe. Based on the AMG.EA platform, this newcomer is rumored to produce around 1,000 horsepower.
