Truth in Coupes
Mercedes-Benz for 2024 is offering an all-new AMG GT coupe that is a genuine coupe, as in having two doors. The automaker is also continuing an AMG GT four-door sedan that it used to call a coupe but now, accepting reality, simply calls “Four Door.”
Aside from sharing some important mechanical bits like engines and sort of looking like they are related, these are two very different automobiles. The GT Four Door is essentially a reskinned E-Class sedan, while the new, second-generation GT Coupe is basically the new-generation SL wearing a stunning coupe body.
The 2024 AMG GT Coupe will be available in late spring. Pricing will start at $136,000 and zoom upward from there.
The Sweet Spot Gets Sweeter
Mercedes-AMG, the performance and racing arm of Mercedes-Benz, hit the sweet spot of the premium sports car market with the first-generation AMG GT coupes and convertibles offered from 2015-2023. By sweet spot, we mean Mercedes mainly aimed for the $130,000-$200,000 range, where Porsche sells many of its 911s. The AMG GT occasionally strayed beyond its primary range, as with the Black Series, and we would expect to see more such special editions with the new GT series.
Like the AMG SL, the GT will come with all-wheel drive standard, which will likely broaden its appeal. Its size is also broadened, and weight is up by 500-600 pounds over the previous GT. We’ll have to see how these factors affect the car’s behavior, but early media previews are promising.
The AMG SL Gets a Sibling
As noted, the new AMG GT is basically the SL’s coupe sibling. While that seems to preclude the possibility of a GT roadster, never underestimate the will of a premium automaker to slice and dice the model lineup.
The GT shares the SL’s key dimensions, which makes it a noticeable larger car, outside and in. The 106.3-inch wheelbase is nearly three inches longer than before, and length grows by just over 7 inches to 186.1. The upshot is that the new GT is roomier than the previous one, which should make it even more of an “everyday” sports car.
The cabin now allows room for a cramped rear seat. While it may be suited only for children in proper child seats, there’s a solid reason to select this option over the standard two-seat configuration. The two-seat version gives you a rear shelf and fixed-in-place bulkhead separating the cabin from the trunk. On the other hand, the 2+2’s model’s rear seat folds down to more than double the trunk space (to 24 cu. ft.), making it possible to carry longer items.
And Now, the Fun Stuff
So, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT is bigger, heavier, and more luxurious. But then, so is every Porsche 911 relative to its predecessors. The automaker has ensured that the GT’s two choices of powertrains, standard all-wheel drive, and some new chassis tech will entice current owners as well as those from other marques.
The GT will initially offer two versions of the hand-built AMG 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. The GT63 gets a variant rated at 577 hp and 590 lb-ft. of peak torque. A GT55 model will offer 469 hp and 516 lb-ft. A 656-hp version of this engine goes into the new 2025 Aston Martin Vantage. We would not be surprised if that one shows up in a AMG GT model sometime down the road.
In mid-March, Mercedes announced a third model, the AMG GT43, that will use a version of the SL43’s four-cylinder turbo engine, but in this case rated at 416 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The engine teams with a 48-volt mild hybrid system that boosts power a bit at low speeds. The GT43 will drop the all-wheel drive, shaving more weight. Mercedes claims 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, which probably means it’s a bit quicker than that.
A Very Fast GT
Like the SL, the GT uses AMG’s unique nine-speed Speedshift MCT automatic transmission. This is not a dual-clutch unit, but nor is it a conventional a torque-converter-type automatic. The MCT unit uses a multi-plate clutch pack rather than a torque converter to execute rapid shifts and has less complexity than a dual-clutch automatic. It’s been in the AMG product line for quite some time.
The AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system from the SL “intelligently” apportions torque to all four wheels, meaning it does everything it can to maximize traction under hard acceleration and cornering. That capability supports claims of 0-60 in 3 seconds for the GT63. And, yes, all-wheel drive should help make the AMG GT more winter-friendly, providing you switch to winter tires.
Also like the AMG SL, the AMG GT employs four-wheel steering, which turns the rear wheels slightly to enhance agility. And speaking of that, the AMG GT uses a hydro-pneumatic anti-roll technology that hydraulically links the four wheels. The system dynamically vary the suspension’s anti-roll effect on the go, rather than using conventional anti roll bars. It provides minimal effect for maximum ride comfort when just cruising down the highway, and then maximum anti-roll force when carving through corners.
Grand Luxury and Tech
The 2024 AMG GT makes the touring grander than ever. The roomier cabin is better for long-distance comfort, and the optional panoramic glass roof lets in the sun and stars without tussling occupants’ hair or drowning out the sound of the Burmester audio system. Wireless smartphone charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and an 11.9-inch screen are all included in the tech package. Finally, the luxury in the new AMG GT is self-evident in the photos.
We’d say the new AMG GT should make some competitors nervous.
