MONTEREY, CA – Mercedes’s AMG unit takes renewed aim at the Porsche 911 with its 2024 GT Coupe, a performance model the company’s CEO Michael Schiebe says, “responds to the wishes of customers.”
Unveiled tonight at the 2023 Monterey Car Week in California, prior to a planned start to North American sales early next year, the second-generation coupe has been comprehensively re-engineered in a program that has seen its development twinned with that of the latest Mercedes-Benz SL. The new liftback-style AMG GT coupe will be produced alongside the SL at Mercedes-Benz’s Bremen, Germany, assembly plant.
Larger and heavier, but also roomier and arguably, more practical, than its predecessor, the GT forgoes the two-seat layout that has characterized the top-of-the-line AMG model since its introduction in 2014. In its place is a new 2+2 interior that, in combination with a larger and more accessible trunk, aims to provide the new GT with greater everyday functionality.
In line with moves made with the seventh-generation SL, the GT also adopts a fully variable, all-wheel drive system as standard for the first time. It replaces the rear-wheel-drive arrangement in the outgoing GT, providing the new coupe with what Schiebe describes as “a much broader spread of driving characteristics.” He says the AWD configuration gives “greater traction and added security in all weather conditions” than the prior generation GT’s RWD setup.
The GT is the fifth dedicated series-production road car to be developed by AMG and initially will be sold in a choice of two models – both featuring the company’s hand-assembled, twin-turbocharged 4.0L V-8 gasoline engine (pictured, below). The new GT 55 4Matic+ develops 469 hp and 516 lb.-ft. (700 Nm) of torque, with the range-topping GT 63 4Matic+ offering 577 hp and 590 lb.-ft. (800 Nm). They are the same outputs as those of the SL 55 4Matic+ and SL63 4Matic+.
By comparison, the facelifted version of the outgoing first-generation GT delivered 469 hp and 465 lb.-ft. (630 Nm) of torque, while the GT S offered 515 hp and 494 lb.-ft. (670 Nm).
The engine, which Schiebe says will be updated to provide it with EU7 emission compliance if and when required, operates in combination with a 9-speed AMG Speedshift automatic gearbox featuring a wet “starter” clutch in place of a conventional torque converter. Mounted directly to the end of the reworked V-8, it replaces the earlier GT’s 7-speed dual-clutch transaxle unit, which was sited within the rear-axle assembly. Also included on the new generation coupe is an electronically controlled, rear-locking differential.
A so-called AMG Dynamic Select controller offers the driver the choice of six driving modes: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Race.
Despite differing specifications, Mercedes-AMG quotes the same 4,178-lb. (1,895-kg) curb weight for both of its new GT models. The GT 55 4Matic+ possesses an official 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 3.9 seconds and a 183 mph (295 km/h) top speed, with the GT 63 4Matic+ a respective 3.2 seconds and 196 mph (315 km/h), the brand says.
The basis for the new Mercedes-AMG GT coupe is a newly developed body structure shared with the SL. It has mixed materials including aluminum, fiber composite materials, magnesium and steel.
The styling draws heavily on the first-generation model, with a traditional cab-back profile dictated by a long hood, curved roofline and angled liftback tailgate (pictured, below).
Included among the exterior detailing is a large Panamerica grille, angular LED headlamps with new three-section daytime running lights and a non-functional styling element behind the front wheelhouses. Further back, there are flush-fitting door handles, long frameless doors, prominent haunches over the rear wheels and heavily structured LED tail lamps.
Among the aerodynamic developments is a so-called “active air control system” within the grille to alter the flow of air to the engine bay and front brakes, a carbon-fiber element within the underbody that lowers by 1.6 ins. (41 mm) to create a Venturi effect and a retractable rear spoiler that automatically deploys at 50 mph (80 km/h) and offers up to five different wing-angle positions.
Buyers can also option the new GT with a further “Aerodynamic Package,” including small winglets on the outer sections of the front bumper and wheel arches, as well as a fixed rear wing.
Both the GT 55 4Matic+ and GT 63 4Matic+ roll on standard 20-in. wheels. They are fitted with 295/35 (front) and 305/35 (rear) profile tires; 21-in. wheels are available as an option.
The new coupe is 7.2 ins. (183 mm) longer, 1.8 ins. (46 mm) wider and 2.6 ins. (66 mm) higher overall than the first-generation GT. It also has a wheelbase 2.8 ins. (71 mm) longer than before at 106.3 ins. (2,700 mm).
With the SL taking the role of the earlier GT roadster, the new GT will be produced exclusively in coupe guise.
Inside, the GT’s new 2+2 cabin (pictured, below) is the same in style, architecture, and layout as that used by the SL.
Included among the digital appointments is a 12.3-in. (31-cm) instrument panel and 11.9-in. (30-cm) portrait-style infotainment display – both featuring AMG-specific graphics and menus, including a standard AMG Track Pace function that allows the driver to display up to 40 different vehicle parameters, including lap and sector times, steering angle and brake-pedal actuation.
The new GT also receives an AMG Performance steering wheel and sculptured front sport seats with integrated headrests – the latter available with optional ventilation and automatically actuated side bolsters that narrow in the Sport, Sport+ and Race driving modes.
The new individual rear seats have limited leg and headroom and are suitable only for children. They can be folded down to extend the nominal 11.3-cu.-ft. (0.3- cu.-m) of trunk space underneath the cargo blind at the rear to 23.8-cu ft. (0.7-cu.-m). By comparison, the old GT’s trunk offered 10.1 cu.-ft. (0.3-cu.-m) while the SL boasts 7.5-cu.-ft. (0.2 cu.-m) of trunk space.
The ’24 GT receives a new aluminum double wishbone AMG Active Ride Control suspension. It uses constantly variable electronic damping, steel coil springs and active roll stabilization with hydraulic elements in place of conventional antiroll bars to suppress body roll. Buyers can order an optional lift system offering an added 1.2 ins. (30 mm) of ground clearance.
The new coupe also adopts 4-wheel steering as standard, with the rear wheels offering up to 2.5 degrees of steering angle. The brakes combine 15.4-in. steel discs with 6-piston aluminum calipers up front with 14.2-in. steel discs and single-piston floating aluminum calipers at the rear.
Pricing for the new Mercedes-AMG is yet to be announced.
