The Mercedes-Amg Gt Coupe has returned for its second generation, redefining the grand tourer experience with a blend of blistering performance, enhanced comfort, and everyday usability. As the latest flagship model from Mercedes-AMG, this coupe isn’t just a car; it’s a statement of automotive excellence, embodying decades of engineering prowess and a relentless pursuit of driving perfection. This in-depth exploration will dissect the key elements that make the AMG GT Coupe a standout in the high-performance sports car segment.
A New Dimensional Concept for Enhanced Practicality and Style
Moving beyond the dimensions of its predecessor, the second-generation AMG GT Coupe introduces a new dimensional concept, offering an expanded wheelbase and optimized proportions. This evolution translates to a more spacious cabin and luggage area, significantly boosting its practicality without compromising its athletic silhouette. The option for 2+2 seating further underscores this commitment to everyday usability, making the AMG GT Coupe a genuine contender for those seeking a high-performance vehicle that fits seamlessly into daily life.
Michael Schiebe, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes‑AMG GmbH, aptly describes the new GT Coupe as “clearly the top-of-the-line product” in their portfolio, emphasizing its role as a brand shaper and a testament to sports car manufacturing in Affalterbach. This model directly addresses customer desires for a blend of dynamic driving and everyday comfort, solidified by the optional 2+2 seating configuration.
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe will be available in two potent models at launch: the formidable 577 hp AMG GT 63 Coupe and the robust 469 hp AMG GT 55 Coupe. Enthusiasts in the U.S. can anticipate their arrival at dealerships in the first half of 2024, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the AMG GT Coupe legacy.
Exterior Design: An Iconic Sports Car Reimagined
The exterior of the new AMG GT Coupe is a masterclass in evolutionary design, retaining the iconic sports car essence while injecting modern aesthetics. The elongated wheelbase, short overhangs, and steeply angled windshield contribute to a powerful and compact stance. Balanced proportions, characterized by a sleek greenhouse, muscular wheel arches, and an assertive front fascia, clearly signal the dynamic capabilities and everyday usability of this grand tourer.
Flowing surfaces, devoid of harsh lines and edges, define the vehicle’s profile, complemented by flush-mounted door handles that enhance aerodynamic efficiency. The sculpted rear shoulder area amplifies the dynamic aesthetic, while AMG alloy wheels, positioned almost flush with the body, underscore its powerful presence. An active rear spoiler is seamlessly integrated into the expansive trunk lid, further refining both the design and aerodynamic performance.
The front fascia is dominated by a deep, wide AMG-specific radiator grille, establishing an unmistakable presence. The lower air intake visually broadens the vehicle’s stance, while power domes on the hood add to the sporty front-end appeal. Standard DIGITAL LIGHT headlights further enhance the AMG GT Coupe’s distinctive appearance. The intricate graphics within the darkened headlight interiors, featuring brushed surfaces, create visual depth, while the daytime running light signature with three characteristic “light dots” ensures instant recognizability.
At the rear, the compact greenhouse, fastback silhouette, and large trunk lid facilitate a low and sculpted design. An active, deployable spoiler is integrated into the rear, optimizing aerodynamic performance. Detailed fender trim provides a contrasting element to the clean, flowing surfaces. The pronounced shoulder line balances elegance and sportiness, culminating in flat, horizontally connected LED taillights seamlessly integrated into the design. These taillights echo the headlight design with three-dimensional “light dots,” and include a running light indicator function and “Coming Home/Leaving Home” animation as standard. The expressive rear diffuser, incorporating integrated twin tailpipe accents, rounds off the powerful rear aesthetic.
Interior Design: Marrying High-Performance DNA with Digital Luxury
The interior of the new AMG GT Coupe represents a skillful fusion of AMG’s high-performance sports car heritage with a modern digital environment. Luxurious materials, impeccable craftsmanship, and meticulous attention to detail define the opulent cabin. The cockpit design, centered around the driver and featuring a prominent central display in the console, creates a harmonious and driver-focused environment. A fully digital instrument cluster is seamlessly integrated within a three-dimensional visor.
The new dimensional concept significantly enhances interior space and everyday usability. The optional 2+2 seating configuration adds versatility, with rear seats suitable for occupants up to five feet tall. The EASY PACK trunk lid with HANDSFREE ACCESS simplifies loading and unloading, while split-folding rear seat backrests further expand luggage capacity.
A central 11.9-inch multimedia touchscreen, oriented in portrait format, dominates the center console, flowing seamlessly into the instrument panel. This portrait orientation is particularly advantageous for navigation and offers enhanced ergonomic freedom. The 12.3-inch driver display is customizable with individually selectable layouts, allowing drivers to personalize their information display.
The MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) infotainment system is both intuitive and adaptive, offering extensive AMG-specific content within five distinct display styles. Exclusive menu items such as “AMG Performance” and “AMG TRACK PACE” further emphasize the vehicle’s sporty character. The AMG Performance menu provides fingertip access to a wealth of real-time data, including engine output, lateral acceleration, all-wheel drive power distribution, tire pressure, and fluid temperatures. Even details like front and rear axle wheel angles and active roll stabilization oil pressure are readily available.
A capacitive display button on the control bar below the central screen allows for quick selection of functions like media volume, assistance systems, vehicle functions, and driving modes, ranging from “Comfort” to “RACE.” An optional head-up display projects relevant driving information in three dimensions into the driver’s line of sight, with multiple style variants available.
Ambient lighting bathes the interior in a spectrum of 64 colors, with the “subtle” display style linked to the ambient light settings. Seven background colors, including two exclusive AMG options, are available, each corresponding to the broader color palette, allowing for a truly personalized cabin atmosphere.
Seating and Comfort: Sculpted Design and Premium Upholstery
The standard, electrically adjustable AMG sports seats with integrated headrests are a highlight of the interior, featuring a sculpted design that provides exceptional comfort and lateral support. Optional AMG Performance seats offer an even sportier profile, also featuring integrated headrests and ventilation openings in the seat backrests. For ultimate support during dynamic driving, optional multi-contour seats feature automatically narrowing side bolsters in Sport, Sport+, and RACE driving modes.
A wide range of upholstery choices caters to diverse preferences, from comfortable to performance-oriented. Options include single and two-tone Nappa leather, elegant MANUFAKTUR Nappa leather with diamond quilting, and sporty Nappa leather/microfiber combinations with contrasting yellow or red topstitching. For enhanced long-distance comfort, three massage programs are available. The optional ENERGIZING Package Plus further elevates comfort by combining seat functions like massage with various lighting moods to create stimulating or relaxing interior environments.
The standard AMG Performance steering wheel, featuring a double-spoke design, blends strength with lightness. The flat-bottomed rim, wrapped in Nappa leather or Nappa leather/microfiber, includes standard heating and a sensor mat for “hands-on” detection. If the driver’s hands are removed for a prolonged period, a warning system activates, culminating in Active Emergency Stop Assist if no response is detected. Standard AMG DRIVE UNIT steering wheel buttons offer intuitive control over driving functions and drive programs via brilliant color LCD displays. Aluminum shift paddles behind the steering wheel rim enable precise manual gear changes with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT® MCT 9G transmission.
Body Shell and Aerodynamics: Lightweight Structure, Active Performance
The AMG GT Coupe’s body shell employs an intelligent material mix of aluminum, steel, magnesium, and fiber composites, achieving exceptional rigidity at a low weight. Optimized material cross-sections and component shapes create space for comfort, safety features, advanced technology, and a generous trunk volume. Further weight-saving measures include an aluminum shear plate on the underbody and functionally integrated struts at the front and rear. The magnesium instrument panel and a fiber composite lock bridge, incorporating glass and carbon fibers, highlight the engineering focus on optimal material selection.
Aerodynamic efficiency was a key focus in the AMG GT Coupe’s development, aiming for a balanced relationship between low air resistance and reduced lift. Extensive active aerodynamic elements at the front and rear are seamlessly integrated into the exterior design, meeting complex demands for handling stability, drag reduction, cooling, and minimizing wind noise.
A standout aerodynamic feature is the two-piece, active air control system AIRPANEL. The first part utilizes vertical louvers behind the lower front air intake, while the second part, located behind the upper intake, uses horizontal louvers. Normally closed to minimize drag and direct air under the vehicle, these louvers open when component temperatures rise, maximizing cooling airflow to heat exchangers. The second system activates above 112 mph for optimized cooling at higher speeds.
The retractable rear spoiler, seamlessly integrated into the trunk lid, adjusts its position based on driving conditions, optimizing handling stability or reducing drag across five angular positions above 50 mph. An active aerodynamic element hidden in the underbody ahead of the engine, a patented AMG development, further enhances handling. This carbon profile lowers by approximately 1.6 inches at 50 mph in response to AMG drive programs, creating a Venturi effect that increases downforce and directional stability, improving steering precision in corners.
An optional Aerodynamics Package further reduces front-axle lift and increases rear axle downforce with additional air deflectors and a fixed rear wing, catering to drivers seeking maximum track performance.
Engine and Performance: Handcrafted V8 Biturbo Power
At the heart of the 2024 AMG GT Coupe lies a handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 Biturbo engine, available in two performance levels, each assembled by hand in Affalterbach under the “One Man, One Engine” principle. In the AMG GT 63 Coupe, this powerhouse delivers 577 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph. The AMG GT 55 Coupe offers 469 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds with a top speed of 183 mph.
Modifications for the AMG GT Coupe application include a new oil pan, repositioned intercooler, and active crankcase ventilation. Optimized inlet and outlet ports enhance gas exchange, while enlarged exhaust gas routing improves catalytic converter and Otto particle filter performance. The AMG GT 63 Coupe’s increased output is achieved through higher boost pressure, increased airflow, and refined engine software.
The “One Man, One Engine” assembly process in Affalterbach integrates Industry 4.0 production methods, emphasizing ergonomics, efficient material flow, quality assurance, sustainability, and efficiency. Smart production technologies ensure maximum flexibility, transparency, and efficiency, enhancing engine quality and production processes.
The AMG SPEEDSHIFT® MCT 9G transmission, tailored to the AMG GT Coupe, combines rapid shift times with an engaging driving experience. A wet start-off clutch replaces the torque converter, reducing weight and improving responsiveness, particularly during acceleration and load changes.
Standard fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive on both V8 models intelligently distributes torque between the front and rear axles for optimal traction and handling stability in all conditions, ranging from dry pavement to wet or snowy roads. The system seamlessly transitions between rear-wheel and all-wheel drive based on driving situation and driver input, enhancing both traction and lateral dynamics for powerful acceleration and confident cornering.
Chassis and Suspension: Advanced Technology for Precision Handling
The AMG GT Coupe features multi-link front and rear axles with forged aluminum suspension links, steering knuckles, and wheel carriers, minimizing unsprung mass and maximizing handling precision. The multi-link concept ensures minimal elastic movements for each wheel, enabling high cornering speeds and optimal road contact at the limit, translating to exceptional lateral dynamics and high-speed stability.
Standard AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL suspension with roll stabilization replaces traditional mechanical anti-roll bars with active hydraulic elements, compensating for body roll in fractions of a second. Adaptive shock absorbers with hydraulic interconnections further refine ride quality and handling. This system allows for a wide range of roll spring rates, enhancing comfort by individually compensating for uneven road surfaces, while actively reducing camber loss during dynamic cornering, contributing to precise turn-in.
When driving straight, the system fully opens, depending on drive mode and situation, further improving comfort. Reduced body roll during cornering enhances both comfort and driving dynamics, allowing for a broader spectrum of driving behavior across different drive programs. The hydraulic system also powers the optional front-axle lift system, raising the front end by 1.2 inches for improved clearance in challenging situations.
A standard electronically controlled rear limited-slip differential optimizes traction and handling stability in all driving conditions, enhancing cornering speeds and high-speed lane change stability. Standard active rear-axle steering (HAL) further enhances agility and stability, steering the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the front wheels below 60 mph for increased agility, and in the same direction above 60 mph for enhanced stability.
The AMG high-performance composite brake system delivers exceptional stopping power and precise modulation, featuring lightweight composite brake discs and directional perforation for improved cooling and wet-weather response.
Driving Dynamics and Technology: Tailored Performance and Data Logging
Six AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs – “Slippery,” “Comfort,” “Sport,” “Sport+,” “Individual,” and “RACE” – allow drivers to tailor the AMG GT Coupe’s driving characteristics from comfortable cruising to dynamic track performance. The AMG DYNAMICS driving dynamics control system, integrated into these programs, further refines handling with agility-enhancing interventions in all-wheel drive control, steering, and ESP® functions.
Standard AMG TRACK PACE software, integrated into the MBUX infotainment system, transforms the AMG GT Coupe into a personal race engineer. It records over 80 vehicle data points ten times per second during track driving, displaying up to four parameters live on the “Telemetry” screen. Lap and sector times are displayed on the multimedia display, head-up display, and instrument cluster, with additional training and analysis tools available. The system also offers augmented reality features, projecting racing lines from saved recordings onto the multimedia display to aid driver improvement.
Equipment, Personalization, and Connectivity
Extensive equipment options and personalization possibilities allow owners to tailor the AMG GT Coupe to their individual tastes, ranging from sporty and dynamic to luxuriously elegant. Eleven paint colors, eight new wheel designs, and five exterior design packages offer a wide array of aesthetic choices. Standard 20-inch alloy wheels can be upgraded to optional 21-inch designs.
Advanced driving assistance systems, utilizing numerous sensors, cameras, and radar, monitor traffic and surroundings, providing support in everyday driving situations and responding to potential collisions. A new assistance display concept in the instrument cluster clearly visualizes system operation in a 3D augmented reality environment.
The MBUX infotainment system provides access to a suite of Mercedes me connect digital services, including smartphone integration via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, hands-free Bluetooth, and HD radio. Connectivity services such as live traffic information and Car-to-X communication enhance navigation and driving experience, providing real-time traffic data and networked vehicle communication for improved safety and efficiency.
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe represents a significant leap forward for the grand tourer, blending breathtaking performance with luxurious comfort and everyday practicality. It’s a testament to AMG’s engineering expertise and a compelling option for discerning drivers seeking the ultimate in sports car excellence.
(Technical data tables for Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Coupe and Mercedes-AMG GT 55 Coupe are included in the original article and can be referenced for detailed specifications.)
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