2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Debuts With 577-HP V8, AWD, And 2+2 Seating

• AMG GT Coupe can now be had as 2+2
• Revised 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 produces up to 577 horsepower
• 0-60 mph in as little as 3.1 seconds, top speed of up to 196 mph
• Advanced suspension and underbody aero
• AMG Track Pace data logger teaches drivers to be faster on-track
• Numerous customization options
• Deliveries in the first half of 2024

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT has been unveiled, and although the styling updates could be considered somewhat subtle, this is an all-new car. First, the headline figures. The AMG GT is exclusively available with a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine in two flavors. The range-topping (for now) GT 63 produces 577 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, while the GT 55 maxes out at 469 hp with 516 lb-ft.

Both versions offer 0-60 mph times in the three-second range and top speeds north of 180 mph, but straight-line performance is almost a footnote here; AMG's fifth independent creation (following the SLS, first-generation GT coupe, GT 4-Door, and SL) has been thoroughly reworked in every department to make this a true Porsche 911 rival for the first time.

We begin with the styling, which is a clear evolution of the first-generation AMG GT. Despite this, it looks fresh and clean. The profile is smooth and flows neatly, with no beads or edges interrupting your eye. Flush door handles also contribute to this sleek look, and the new vents behind the front wheels are sporty yet elegant. The pronounced rear shoulder area hints at the performance on offer, and the 20-inch wheels (21s optional) are nearly flush with the body. Eight new wheel designs are available, so there should be something for everyone.

Up front, the car's wide Panamericana grille dominates the fascia, subtle hood bulges add a touch more menace, and Digital Light headlights as standard appear in a more modern and upright design. A three-dot lighting signature is seen in a darkened housing with brushed surfaces, and this accent is repeated in the tinted full-width rear light bar.

Sticking with the car's tail, an active deployable spoiler has been integrated into the curvaceous hind and a large new diffuser with four rounded exhaust tips. Optionally, the Aerodynamics Package enlarges this diffuser and pairs it with a fixed rear wing. This also adds extra front air deflectors to the front end's outer air intakes and wheel arches. Additional deflectors also appear at the rear, and the entire package reduces front-axle lift while increasing rear downforce.

Speaking of options, there will be five exterior design packages on offer and 11 paint finishes to choose from. We can't wait to play with the configurator. The styling is impressive, but what the eye can't see is more remarkable.

The lightweight body shell is made of aluminum, steel, magnesium, and fiber composites. The previous AMG GT was based on parts of the SLS, which made packaging a challenge, but with this new design, AMG was able to increase rigidity, lower weight, and create more interior space, including in the trunk.

The aero is also new, with an active air control system called AIRPANEL appearing. The two-piece design sees the lower air intake fitted with vertical louvers while the upper air intake has horizontal louvers. In normal operating conditions, these stay closed to make the car slipperier and to direct more air toward the underbody, thereby reducing lift. When certain components reach certain temperatures, these open, and the upper section only activates from 112 mph.

The integrated rear spoiler touched on earlier changes its position depending on the driving scenario, making changes depending on vehicle speed, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, and steering speed. When going faster than 50 mph, the spoiler can assume five different positions to increase stability or reduce drag.

And now for our favorite part. Remember how the latest 911 GT3 RS arrived with underbody wings that improve aero? Affalterbach has come up with something similar. Hidden under the car and in front of the engine is another active aero element made of carbon fiber (weighing just 4.4 pounds) that AMG has patented.

Depending on the drive mode, it does different things, and above 50 mph, it automatically lowers by around 1.6 inches. The resulting Venturi effect helps suck the car to the floor, which results in better steering accuracy and directional stability, something AMG says the driver will feel through the steering wheel.

The handmade 4.0-liter twin-turbo has been treated to a new oil pan, a repositioned intercooler, and active crankcase ventilation. In addition, the inlet and exhaust ports have been optimized, and the routing for the catalytic converter and Otto particle filter has been enlarged.

In combination with higher boost pressures and more airflow to the engine, the range-topping AMG GT 63 generates 577 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, up from previous figures of 523hp and 594 lb-ft. This results in a 0-60 mph time of 3.1 seconds (0.6 quicker than before). The top speed has also increased from 194 mph to 196. In the GT 55 (469 hp/516 lb-ft), 0-60 is achieved in 3.8 seconds, and the top speed is curtailed at 183 mph.

An electronically controlled limited-slip differential is standard, along with active rear-axle steering. Composite brakes are new, with better cooling properties, lower weight, and faster responses.

The engine alone cannot take all the credit for these improved performance figures. Gone is the transaxle torque converter transmission inherited from the SLS architecture. In its place is AMG's SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission with a wet take-off clutch, reducing weight and improving responses to accelerator inputs, particularly during acceleration and load changes. The transaxle offered excellent weight distribution, but as an all-new car, we doubt this variant will fall short in that department despite its more traditional transmission.

The gearbox is paired with fully-variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive that can send up to 50% of the engine's output to the front axle through an electromechanically controlled clutch. AMG says power distribution is constantly altered to maximize handling depending on driver input and the driving scenario. Pure RWD is also possible, so the inevitable Black Series will be able to maintain its tire-slaying reputation. The introductory pair of AMG GT trims should also be pretty good at burning rubber.

Both the front and rear suspension feature a multi-link design. In front, all five links appear entirely within the wheel rim. Remarkably, despite this compact design, the wheel control and suspension elements are independent of each other. This enables high lateral acceleration with minimal torque steer. Moreover, all suspension links, steering knuckles, and wheel carriers (on both ends of the car) are made of forged aluminum to reduce unsprung weight. This is said to improve handling in all conditions and minimize the car's tendency to react to crosswinds, bumps, or changes in grip.

As if that's not enough, AMG RIDE CONTROL includes active roll stabilization. Active hydraulic elements take the place of a conventional mechanical torsion bar and anti-roll bars. As a result, the car can compensate for rolling movements nearly instantly. The adaptive dampers also have two hydraulic connections each - one for compression and one for rebound, and the way it works is genius.

The system allows the car to have a figurative torsion bar that is super stiff one moment and one that provides plenty of play the next. In addition, comfort improves because the suspension can even compensate for road imperfections that only affect one side of the car. In so-called dynamic driving, the hydraulics also actively reduce camber loss. When driving straight ahead, the system can open completely and compensate for individual obstacles. These hydraulic elements are interconnected; the compression stage of the front left damper is connected to the rebound stage of the front right.

The hydraulics also feed a 1.2-inch front-axle lift, which can save GPS locations where it is used for automatic operation in the future.

Overall, the car should be comfier yet tauter when necessary, and because of the wide breadth of tuning ability, the differences between drive modes from comfort to sport will be more apparent. Drive modes include Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport +, Individual, and Race.

The big news is that the AMG GT is now available as a 2+2, like the aforementioned 911. This is optional, and the rear is only suitable "for occupants less than five feet tall," which is not too bad. The rear seats also fold, and the trunk lid has a hands-free opening, so don't let your significant other tell you the AMG GT is not practical.

Speaking of seats, the fronts are electrically adjustable AMG sports seats with integrated headrests, but the AMG Performance seats are the ones you want, with ventilation openings in the backrests. The side bolsters of the optional multi-contour seats are particularly impressive, automatically narrowing when Sport, Sport +, or Race is selected. Three massage programs will keep your butt from going numb over long distances.

Upholstery options include single and two-tone Nappa leather, MANUFAKTUR Nappa with diamond quilting, and Nappa combined with microfiber with contrasting yellow or red topstitching.

Infotainment is handled by a portrait-oriented 11.9-inch touchscreen, while the driver cluster is a customizable 12.3-inch screen sitting behind the standard AMG Performance flat-bottomed double-spoke steering wheel. Two AMG DRIVE UNIT buttons on the wheel allow easy access to drive modes and other important functions. Nappa or Nappa and microfiber options are available.

Other highlights include 64-color ambient lighting with seven linked background colors, including two that are AMG-exclusive. An optional head-up display is also customizable in various styles. For more feedback, the AMG Performance menu can show various parameters, such as engine output, lateral acceleration, AWD power distribution, tire pressure, and fluid temperatures. Wheel angles for either axle can also be shown, as can oil pressure for the hydraulic active roll stabilization system.

One of the biggest highlights of the new car is the AMG TRACK PACE data logger for track use. This is part of the MBUX infotainment system and can record more than 80 pieces of vehicle-specific data (such as speed, acceleration, steering angle, and brake pedal actuation) 10 times per second. Up to 40 parameters can be shown live on the "Telemetry" screen, four of which can be shown simultaneously. The car can also record lap and sector times, showing them on the infotainment display, the head-up display, and the instrument cluster.

But the coolest feature is that the navigation system in the HUD shows braking points and cornering angles to help you go quicker. Additional analysis and training tools include the ability for an augmented reality function to show the racing line from a saved recording to be displayed on the infotainment screen, effectively acting as a virtual instructor, and the ability to record acceleration and deceleration values.

Safety features include a function of the instrument cluster displaying how the driver assistance systems work in full-screen, showing the driver's car, lanes and markings, and other road users, including two-wheelers, in a spatially abstract 3D representation in real-time. Several sensors, cameras, and radar help to paint a picture of the surroundings, and the usual forward collision, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assistance systems. In addition, the steering wheel has a sensor mat to detect when the driver lets go of the wheel. After a certain period, this will warn the driver with increasing urgency, and if nothing is still done, Active Emergency Stop Assist brings the car to a safe halt.

All of this is a very compelling package, but pricing is not yet available, so we can't accurately tell how this stacks up to rivals. The all-new AMG GT will arrive at US dealers in the first half of 2024.