The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S may just be the perfect balance between next-level performance and the daily drive. It’s certainly a worthy recipient of its full-strength AMG status.
We got an up-close-and-personal look at the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door 63 S at the New York motor show earlier this year, and while it looked like a seriously quick bit of kit even on its static stand, nothing prepares you for just how potent this luxury express really is.
This is something far more menacing than the regular premium-billed muscle cars from ’Benz’s go-fast division AMG. This latest ground-hugging missile will hit the Australian market in Q2 2019 as only the third full-strength model designed and built by AMG, following the iconic SLS and GT sports cars.
And, it’s got even more firepower. In fact, it’s got more of everything, because under the bonnet lies AMG’s herculean-powered 4.0-litre twin-turbo monster V8 spooling up a colossal 470kW and a seriously mad 900Nm of torque from just 2500rpm.
Australian consumer will get to choose within two variants: the top-shelf V8-driven GT 63 S and the AMG GT 53, which features a new 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six with a 48V combination system. Combined outputs of 320kW and 520Nm ensure good solid performance with a claimed 0–100km/h sprint time of 4.5 seconds and a max speed of 285km/h.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to sample this variant at the launch – only in the new E-Class cabriolet. More on that engine in a separate review later in the week.
Mercedes GT 53 to come in under $200K, while the GT 63 S hero model (there’s an Edition 1 at launch that will command a higher price) might just dip under 300-grand plus on-roads if the numbers work for the bean-counters.
To give those performance numbers some perspective, its torque figure alone is enough to obliterate the Ferrari 812 Superfast (718Nm) and BMW M5 Competition (750Nm), though the AMG’s natural predators are five-door weapons-grade lift-backs like the Porsche Panamera Turbo (770Nm), Audi RS7 Performance (750Nm) and BMW M6 Gran Coupe (680Nm).
Truth is, both the Audi and BMW are getting on in years, and both these fast and furious variants are likely to be replaced by newer and faster versions within a year or so. But for now, it’s the AMG GT 4-Door that will reign supreme in the power-stakes game.
But, is it right to think of it as a four-door version of its hard-hitting two-door GT siblings? Well, yes and no.
On the plus side, the big (it’s over five metres long) GT 4-Door shares front and rear design cues, especially the hardcore racer-style grille and slippery rear with ultra-thin LED tail-lights. There’s directly no misstep its proper AMG GT lineage, or indeed its high-speed purpose. Some buyers will be hooked on its looks alone.
And when it comes to the mechanicals, it gets the same rowdy twin-turbo V8 engine but with its wick turned up considerably, even over the top-shelf GT R. But, whereas that car comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the rear wheels, the all-new family-size GT gets the company’s all-new and wonderfully versatile nine-speed MCT gearbox providing drive to all four paws.
However, that’s about where the parts-sharing ends, because the GT sports cars are constructed with far more lightweight materials than their four-door brother.
