2024 Mercedes AMG GT – Power, performance and weight
The V8s live on, which is such a relief. The AMG GT can be had in GT55 and GT63 guises, putting out 476PS (350kW) and 585PS (430kW) respectively. Torque figures for the two GTs are 700Nm (516lb ft) and 800Nm (590lb ft) for the GT55 and GT63. Those numbers are familiar because they’re exactly what you get in the soft-topped SL55 and SL63.
That performance now goes to all four wheels as standard on both models, via the nine-speed MCT transmission. All GTs will also come with rear-steer, active anti-roll and a locking rear e-diff. Performance will be pretty epic, with 62mph coming up in the top-spec GT63 in 3.2 seconds and go on to 195mph top-end. In short? The AMG GT will have more traction more of the time but still be adjustable on-throttle. Will it be as much thuggish fun as the outgoing car? To be determined.
In spite of the forged alloy suspension components and carbon in the AMG GT’s backbone, there’s no escaping that this is a bigger car that rides the SL platform. So weight is up, from 1,645kg at the kerb to 1,970kg. That’s some mass to be lugging for a car with sights set on the 911. An all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 GTS weighs 1,665kg, which is heavy in 911 land.
Mercedes adds four-cylinder GT43... but not in the UK
The latest version of the new AMG GT is the GT43, which sees Affalterbach plunder the parts bin to combine its new super coupe with its potent but less exotic-sounding 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine. That motor is a boon in the A45 AMG and related variants, as well as the Lotus Emira, although it’s proven a controversial substitute for a rumbling V8 in the latest C63 AMG. In the new GT43, the engine is at least close to its most potent form, putting out 421PS
Happily, the GT43 is a lot lighter, in part thanks to that smaller engine but also because it’s rear-wheel-drive. It drops some 200kg by comparison to the V8 cars, which gets it closer to the relative feather-weight of the previous-generation car. Performance is predictably down but 4.5 seconds to 62mph isn’t exactly slow.
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance
There’s no getting around it. This thing is absolutely rapid, which let’s face it, will likely be this pony’s big trick. In fact, it probably takes longer to say this car's name that it does to hit 62mph in it.
The GT 63 S combines a 204PS (150kW) electric motor with a 612PS (450kW) version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo AMG V8 for a total system output of 816PS (600kW). Torque is a simply unbelievable 1,080-1,420Nm. That’s deployed to all four wheels, resulting in a 0-62mph time of 2.8 seconds, rivalling the likes of the Porsche 911 Turbo. Top speed officially is 198mph, meaning in the real world this big bruiser is probably a 200mph car.
What’s crucial is the way the hybrid system has been set up. Mercedes says that in a similar style to its F1 car, that headline power figure has to be available all the time, with no luls in performance. That’s thanks to the car consistently keeping the 6.1kWh battery charged, with over 100kW of charging potential from the four-stage recuperation system. A small battery means small electric range, of only eight miles.
Inevitably, this will have added some weight to the car, which was already on the fringes of two tonnes in non-hybrid form. So it’s safe to say this will weigh in the region of 2.1 tonnes or more, with no official weight yet given.
Happily, Mercedes-AMG has at least distributed that weight effectively, with the electric drive unit and battery positioned low and rearward in the car’s platform for better balance. The car’s chassis and braking hardware has been boosted to cope with the added mass and performance. Big ceramic brakes and rear-steering are a given, as are the re-calibrated AMG Active Ride Control.