MERCEDES-BENZ AMG GT COUPE GT 43 4Matic Premium 2dr Auto

Mercedes-AMG has evolved its standard-setting GT coupe. Jonathan Crouch drives the second generation version.

Ten Second Review

The Mercedes-AMG GT reinvents itself in this second generation guise. The exterior changes made to this new Coupe-only model might be subtle, but the fundamental differences this time round are substantial. Porsche 911 customers will need to seriously consider this car as an alternative.

Background

Could Mercedes really build a credible rival to Porsche's iconic 911, we wondered, when the original Mercedes-AMG GT was unveiled back in 2014. The answer, as it turned out, was that the Three-Pointed Star got closer to that super sportscar standard-setter than expected - and plans to edge even closer still with this second generation C192 generation model. It's the fifth series production road car to be engineered from the ground-up by AMG and has shared its development with the latest Mercedes-AMG SL, alongside which it's built at the brand's Bremen factory in Germany. Don't be fooled by the very lightly evolved styling; much is different here. Primarily a switch to a 2+2 cabin and the adoption of 4WD. There's also a completely new interior, a longer wheelbase and a bigger boot. Sounds promising.

Driving Experience

Mercedes isn't developing any more fossil-fuelled engines, so it's no surprise that this second generation GT uses much the same twin turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 as its predecessor. What is different is the 9-speed AMG Speedshift paddleshift auto gearbox that works with it (replacing the previous 7-speed dual clutch transaxle unit). The old car's rear wheel drive arrangement continues with the base 421hp GT 43 version, but otherwise the biggest engineering change for this generation is the introduction of a fully variable four wheel drive system. If your AMG GT must have 4WD, your first option is the 476hp GT 55 4MATIC+ version. Next up is the GT 63 4MATIC+, which offers 585hp). The brand also offers the GT 63 here in PRO 4MATIC+ track-tamed form, where output's boosted to 612hp. And that same uprated engine also features in an SE E PERFORMANCE model, which pairs that unit with a 204hp electric motor, which if you plug its associated battery in provides up to 8 miles of EV range. Across the GT range, adding 4WD (and this MK2 model's bigger body) has upped kerb weight to a hefty 1,970kgs, but the '63' variant still makes 62mph in 3.2s on the way to 196mph. So you'll need the AMG high-performance ceramic composite braking system. The active aerodynamic profile, concealed almost invisibly in the underbody in front of the engine, creates a Venturi effect that draws the car into the road and reduces front axle lift by around 50 kilograms at 155mph. A retractable spoiler is integrated into the vehicle's silhouette. It can adopt five different angles above 50mph depending on driving conditions. There's an AMG Dynamic Select controller providing a choice of six different drive modes - 'Slippery', 'Comfort', 'Sport', 'Sport+' and 'Race'. And the driver can alter the AMG Dynamics ESC stability system in three steps. The aluminium double-wishbone AMG Active Ride Control suspension uses constantly variable electronic damping, coil springs and semi-active roll stabilisation to suppress body roll. Plus on the V8s there's active rear-axle steering and active aerodynamics. All that's further aided by substantial engine bay bracing and a stiffer Modular Sport Architecture platform, a lightweight spaceframe-style structure using a combination of magnesium, steel, aluminium and plastic composites.

Design and Build

This second generation GT model has been visually evolved only lightly - yes, just like Porsche's 911 has been over that model's lifetime. Actually, the design differences here are greater than initial impressions might suggest. At 4,728mm in length, this C192 generation model is 182mm longer than before, as well as being 66mm higher and 45mm wider. As before, the long bonnet, curved roof line and angled tailgate deliver a cab-back profile. And there are big 21-inch wheels. This time round, there's only going to be a Coupe body shape. Inside, it really is all new, the cabin shared with the Mercedes-AMG SL. Which means you get a 12.3-inch instrument binnacle screen and a portrait-orientated 11.9-inch infotainment display, both featuring AMG-specific menus and graphics. There's an AMG Performance three-spoke wheel and the sculpted front sports seats have integrated headrests and automatically-activating side bolsters that tighten according to drive mode. The big change with this MK2 GT model though, is the switch to a 2+2 cabin configuration, made possible by 70mm extension in wheelbase length. That means you get a pair of 911-style rear seats, though these are only intended for use by small children. They can be folded down to extend the larger 321-litre trunk capacity right up to 675-litres.

Market and Model

Expect pricing for this Coupe model starting at around the £105,000 mark for the base 'Premium'-spec 421hp 43 version - you'll need another £6,000 for plusher 'Premium Plus' trim. Upgrading yourself to that 'Premium Plus' trim gives you a much wider powertrain choice, this level also including the 476hp 55 4MATIC+ version (think around £150,000) and the 585hp 63 4MATIC (think around £170,000). Beyond that is the innovative Plug-in Hybrid 63 S E PERFORMANCE derivative (think around £186,000), which has a higher 612hp output and a 204hp electric motor. For track day fiends, there's also a race-style GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ variant priced at around £180,000. There'll be a GT3 racing model too. Across the range, obvious rivals are coupe versions of Porsche's 911, the Audi R8 and the Aston Martin Vantage. Maybe also the McLaren GTS. Across the range, all the main things you'll want are standard, including constantly variable electronic damping, active roll stabilisation and four-wheel steering, which sees the rear wheels offering up to 2.5-degrees of steering angle. You get a very beefy set of brakes too, which combine 390mm still discs with 6-piston aluminium calipers up front, while there are 360mm steel discs and single-piston floating aluminium calipers at the rear. Standard safety features include active brake assist, lane keeping assist, speed limit warning, attention assist and a reversing camera. As you'd expect, this second generation GT offers lots of scope for personalisation, including cabin fittings like AMG Performance seats and track-ready upgrades like carbon ceramic brakes.

Cost of Ownership

You won't be expecting this GT to be frugal, especially with its increase in weight. The base GT 43 manages 27.4mpg on the combined cycle and 235g/km of CO2, but for the GT 55 4MATIC+ and the GT 63 4MATIC+, you're looking at just 20.2mpg and 319g/km. The S E PERFORMANCE model's electric motor-enhanced drivetrain offers 8 miles of EV range and improves that showing to 34.5mpg and 168g/km. Either way, the slippery aerodynamics help. This MK2 model gets a so-called 'Active air control' system inside the grille to alter airflow into the engine bay. Plus there's a retractable rear spoiler that deploys at 50mph offering up to five different wing angle settings; and a carbon fibre element in the underbody that lowers by 40mm at speed to create a slippery venturi effect. Service intervals for this GT will depend on how far you drive and under what conditions - but Mercedes does as usual offer 'ServiceCare', which allows you to spread your bills into manageable payments, guarantees the price of parts and labour for up to four services, and covers the cost of recommended service items such as brake fluid, spark plugs, air filters, fuel filters and screen wash. Another thing we'll need to tell you is that the comprehensive three year unlimited mileage warranty is built upon by Mercedes' Mobilo scheme which delivers breakdown cover for up to thirty years, as long as you continue to have your car serviced at a Mercedes main dealer.

Summary

This second generation GT is a much more complete product - and a much more complete competitor to its Porsche 911 arch-rival. Michael Schiebe, AMG's CEO, says the addition of 4WD to this C192-generation model is key, making it a car owners can use in winter conditions with much greater peace of mind. Almost equally important is the switch to a 2+2 cabin format, making this a Mercedes sportscar you could go touring in. In that respect, it's a much better prospect than its Mercedes-AMG SL roadster partner model. Because of the existence of that car, there was really no point in doing an open top version of this GT this time round, but customers might be slightly disappointed that so much inside is shared with the SL. The weight increase may also harm this GT in 911 handling comparisons. Overall though, there's been a big step forward here. If you're thinking Porsche, McLaren or Aston Martin in this segment, you simply have to factor in this Mercedes too.

Body Glass

Privacy glass

Electric windows with pre-safe closing function

Magic vision control

Rain sensor windscreen wipers

Brakes

Electric parking brake

Active braking assist with intersecion start-off function

Anti lock braking system (ABS) with brake assist

Chassis/Suspension

Active roll stabilisation

AMG RIDE CONTROL + Suspension

Communication

Smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

Wireless charging system for mobile devices

Driver Aids

Cruise control

Remote Services Premium

Child presence detection

Power assisted steering

Driver Information

MBUX navigation premium

Mercedes-Benz emergency call system

12.3" driver display with AMG specific content

11.9" central display with touchscreen

Traffic sign assist

AMG track pace

Embellishment Trims

Trim - Black piano lacquer

Engine

Petrol Particulate Filter

Entertainment

Burmester surround sound system

Exterior Body Features

Rear boot

AMG real performance exhaust sound system

Retractable rear boot spoiler

Fixed panoramic glass sunroof

AMG illuminated door sills with AMG lettering and with exchangeable cover

Body colour bumpers

Exterior Lights

3rd brake light

Auto headlights

AMG Light display

Adaptive brake lights

LED daytime running lights

Digital light headlamps

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control

Interior Features

AMG steering wheel buttons

AMG Performance steering wheel in nappa leather black

12V socket in boot

Heated steering wheel

2 cup holders in front

Interior Lights

Ambient lighting with choice of 64 colour settings

Packs

Parking package - AMG GT 43/55/63

USB package plus - AMG GT 43/55/63

Mirror package - AMG GT 43/55/63

Memory pack - AMG GT 43/55/63

AMG night pack - AMG GT 43/55/63

Load compartment package - AMG GT 43/55/63

Safety

Automatic front passenger airbag deactivation

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Airbags - windowbags

Predictive pedestrian protection

Airbags - kneebag for driver

Airbags - driver and front passenger

Seats

Rear seats with folding backrests upto 1.5m tall

2 individual rear seats

Front and rear headrests

Heated front seats

Single front passenger seat

4 way lumbar support

Security

Guard 360 degree vehicle protection plus

Alarm system with immobiliser and interior protection -Thatcham category 1

Dashcam

Keyless Go starting function

Keyless Go with seamless door handles

Transmission

AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9 speed automatic sports transmission

Wheels

Summer tyres

Wheels - Spare

Tirefit tyre sealant kit

Emissions - ICE

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

CO: 0.141

HC: 0.009

NOx: 0.008

HC+NOx: N

Particles: 0

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 235

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 235

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 235

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 83

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 92

CC: 1991

Cylinders: 4

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

Number of Valves: 16

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TWIN TURBO

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 10.0:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 9 SPEED

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - MPG - Low: 17.8

WLTP - MPG - Medium: 26.4

WLTP - MPG - High: 32.5

WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 30.1

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 27.4

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 17.8

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 17.8

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 26.4

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 26.4

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 32.5

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 32.5

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 30.1

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 30.1

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 27.4

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 27.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 15.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 10.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 8.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 9.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 10.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 15.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 15.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 10.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 10.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 8.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 8.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 9.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 9.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 10.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 10.3

General

Coin Series: GT 43 Premium

Coin Description: 4Matic

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 30

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 50E

Service Interval Mileage: 12500

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

Badge Power: 421

Badge Engine CC: 2.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 2

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 4.6

Top Speed: 174

Engine Power - BHP: 421

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 310

Engine Power - RPM: 6750

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 369

Engine Torque - NM: 500

Engine Torque - MKG: 51

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 265/40 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 295/35 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Type: 21" ALLOY

Wheel Style: 5 TWIN SPOKE

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4728

Width: 1929

Wheelbase: 2700

Width (including mirrors): 2100

Height: 1359

Height (including roof rails): N

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1790

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2005

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 70

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: N

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: N

Max. Loading Weight: 215

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 321

No. of Seats: 4

Max. Roof Load: N

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 13.2

Brakes

Black brake callipers

Black painted brake callipers for AMG ceramic high performance composite brake system

Exterior Body Features

Solid paint

Exclusive Manufaktur magno paint

Manufaktur solid paint

Manufaktur exclusive paint

Manufaktur magno paint

Manufaktur metallic paint

Interior Features

Manufaktur nappa leather upholstery

Roof lining - Neva grey DINAMICA microfibre

Packs

AMG Dynamic plus package - AMG GT 43

Driving Assistance package - AMG GT 63

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Spectral blue

Metallic - High tech silver

Metallic - Selenite Grey

Metallic - Obsidian black

Paint - Solid

Solid - Sun yellow

Paint - Special

Exclusive Manufaktur magno - Green hell

Manufaktur exclusive paint - Custom

Manufaktur metallic - Opalith white bright

Manufaktur magno - Hyper blue

Manufaktur metallic - Patagonia red bright

Manufaktur solid - Alpine grey

Manufaktur magno - Opalite white

Manufaktur magno- Spectral blue

Trim - Leather

Nappa leather - Sienna brown/black

Nappa leather - sage grey/black

Manufaktur nappa leather - Crystal white/black

Manufaktur nappa leather - Truffle brown/black

Nappa leather - Red pepper/black

Nappa leather - Black

Wheels - Alloy

21" AMG 5 twin spoke forged matt black painted alloy wheels with high sheen rim flange

21" AMG 10 twin spoke forged himalays grey painted alloy wheels with high sheen finish

21" AMG 10 twin spoke forged matt black painted alloy wheels with high sheen rim flange