Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door: first ride impressions

Published: 20 July 2018

► CLS 63 AMG, basically
► Unveiled at Geneva,
► We sit in the passenger seat at Goodwood

At this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, we were able to jump in a GT four-door for a ride up the hill. Sadly, we spent all our in time in the passenger seat, but we still have a better idea of how Mercedes’ new GT car handles.

Ride impressions

Getting driving impressions from a passenger ride is, understandably tricky, but what we can confirm is that the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupe feels every bit the exec-spec supercar. With 630bhp and 663lb ft of torque on tap, there is a genuine sense – even from riding shotgun – that you’re in something colossally, violently quick.

We had heard that the pre-production model we were allowed out in wasn’t quite producing full power (or allowing full revs), yet the kick in the back from peak torque at 2,500rpm was noticeably fiercer than what you’d get in an E63 S, and would give all but the most ballistic hypercars a run for their money.

Grip and traction from the 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system was considerable, yet there’s still ample opportunity to play around a little with the rear end. Turn all the aids off, however, and it’s almost comical how overwhelmed the back tyres are by the sheer amount of twist.

The cabin in our car wasn’t finished, but still had the unmistakeable design of a Mercedes-AMG product, with a large, sculpted centre console lined by buttons for suspension, gearbox and exhaust settings. Far more AMG-GT Coupe than E63.

Worth the extra money over an E63 S? Obviously, it’s far too early to say, but initial impressions suggest that Mercedes-AMG is on course to up their own benchmark.

Everything we know: AMG GT 4-door

At this year’s Geneva Motor show, Mercedefinally unveiled the next fully-fledged AMG car. It’s called the AMG GT 4-Door – not the AMG GT4 like we expected – and it’s a four-door statement of intent for the AMG spin-off. But what’s it like underneath, how fast is it, and what else can we expect from the second AMG model? Here’s everything you need to know about the new AMG GT four-door.

Design

The new GT4 is actually based on a modified version of the MRA platform that underpins new third-generation CLS – but it’s dressed in the usual AMG style. Think slatted grilles, bold air-intakes and flared wheel-arches. And just like the AMG GT, lots of those bold aerodynamic surfaces will actually move to aid the handling of the car.

What about the engines?

The GT 4-door looks a lot like the CLS, but at least Mercedes has ensured it’ll differentiate itself further when it comes to performance. So far, only three engines have been lined up for the new car – but each of them promises a handsome power-boost over anything in the CLS range.

The bottom of the range begins with an entry-level 429bhp GT 53 4Matic+. Using a 3.0-litre unit inline six with up to 21bhp of electric boost, the entry-level GT 4-door should provide the perfect blend of economy and speed. It does get to 62mph in just 4.5 seconds, after all.

A 577bhp V8-powered GT 63 with a 3.4 second launch to 62mph sits in the middle of the range, but the GT 63 S is going to be the model you want. And that’s because GT 63 S 4Matic+ that sits at the top of the range makes a ridiculous 630bhp. Featuring a top speed of 188mph and a 0-62mph launch time of 3.2 seconds, the latter uses a 4.0-litre V8 Bi-turbo with both turbines inside the vee.

Handling

Mercedes says the GT 4-door will come with several features already seen in the GT. The new coupe will have rear-wheel steering, six or eight caliper brakes, and as with other AMG models, ceramic stoppers will be available as an option.

The coupe’s engine will also come with the same Drive Modes we’ve seen in existing AMGs, so you’ll be able to set the GT four-door’s handling from the forgiving ‘slippery’ mode, to the more hardcore ‘RACE’ mode.

Agility functions from “Basic” to “Master”, will also change every aspect of the car’s handling – from suspension rates to powertrain response. Response from the accelerator pedal, gearshift system, rear axle steering, electronically controlled rear axle locking differential or brake force distribution can all be controlled in this way. And there’s obviously a drift mode, standard in the GT 63 S and optional elsewhere – because AMGs are supposed to go sideways.

What about the the interior?

Inside, the new coupe is a mixture of AMG GT and CLS, so it features two, 12.3 inch high-resolution displays – standard in the V8 models and optional in the six-cylinder GT 53. Just as in other Mercedes models, drivers will be able to choose between three different display styles: ‘Classic’, ‘Sport’ and the completely new ‘Supersport’