Test drive | Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé: balancing act

The first vintage had only one thing in mind: winding the most demanding routes with virtuosity. She also guided the field of the Formula 1 World Championship during neutralizations. Its descendant is different with its all-wheel drive and increased dimensions, a concept shared with the SL convertible. By doing too much, have we diluted our identity?

Its design

On a visual level, the work reassures by basing its eloquence on the fundamentals of a sports coupe. Its long front hood remains the piece de resistance. The low grille hugs the ground and exposes its AMG membership, with its vertical rods. The descending headlights, fixed on the wide wings, complete a feisty appearance. The side plane exhibits an increased length of 171 mm compared to its predecessor. But it is above all the roofline which flatters the eye with its magnificent ascending line above the passenger compartment which falls onto the hatchback trunk. The curved rear is just as sculptural with its thin triple-line lights and the use of a retractable spoiler to maintain a smooth appearance.

On board

The configuration of the cabin is resolutely a latest generation Mercedes-Benz. The emphasis is on technology with the huge central vertical screen, necessary for almost all common controls. The assembly remains elegantly put together with abundant leather lined with a beautiful wealth of materials ranging from carbon fiber to aluminum, or even wood, if you wish. The ventilation nozzles, presented in the form of turbines, are attractive in addition to ensuring precise adjustment. Unlike many sports cars, this GT respects its grand tourer label with its very welcoming interior for its passengers. It is also practical with its rear storage and its voluminous, but narrow, trunk.

Under the hood

What would Mercedes-Benz’s sporting spearhead be without a V8? A specialty of the brand, this configuration remains under the hood of the GT with a measured displacement (4 L) and two turbochargers. Producing 577 hp in its GT 63 livery, its music is angry and heavy. The usual explosions crash against the walls of buildings, nothing too delicate. The theatricality of the assistance at the flying start is also fascinating. The engine map then rotates the turbos, letting out a heavy and rhythmic growl. All you have to do is release the brake pedal to be catapulted, glued to the backrest, shaken by sharp gear changes. The horizon blurs, the car remains supremely stable.

Behind the wheel

More dynamic, this GT gained 355 kg. At almost 2000 kg in total, it’s heavy, very heavy. Its all-wheel drive partly explains this weight gain, making its traction exemplary and predictable. There are directional wheels at the rear which support agility, but the weight is noticeable in corners when the car negotiates bumps. The coupe nevertheless sits with confidence, stopping roll in corners by means of a hydraulic system. The steering is precise, but the communicative aspect could be more complete. The cushioning ensures a good level of comfort, but there is too much dryness on the transverse crevices. Crackling noises then emanate from the moldings making up the passenger compartment.

Embedded technologies

The GT resolutely emphasizes the technological aspect of its offering, an approach strongly advocated by the brand. The 11.9-inch vertical screen captures attention with its high definition. It is also the tactile gateway to the MBUX system, whose approach requires too many steps to reach the commonly used menus, and its tabs do not always point to the elements we want. The controls for the heating and air conditioning system, however, remain accessible from below. And the haptic controls on the steering wheel, controversial, become intuitive after a necessary learning process. Mercedes-Benz has fortunately integrated configurable knobs on the steering wheel for driving settings.

The verdict

Previously considered the ultimate celebration of automotive design, the coupe appears more and more rarely in this sea of ​​undifferentiated SUVs. Let’s salute Mercedes-Benz’s initiative to renew the GT. Basically, the sports car is more versatile and cautious. In this sense, it loses some of its uniqueness in order to appeal to a wider audience, which makes us question what it is actually trying to accomplish. The vocal and torquey V8 remains a formidable argument which adds a more visceral layer to the driving of this GT, despite a nine-speed transmission which lacks consistency when downshifting. A very beautiful and expensive object, whose complexity is probably the mirror of our time.