The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe: A Stunning and Versatile Sports Car with a V8 Heart

Mercedes-AMG has unveiled the second generation of its flagship sports car, the GT Coupe, at the Monterey Car Week in California. The new model is a radical departure from its predecessor, offering more space, comfort, technology, and performance. The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe will go on sale in the US in the first half of 2024 in two variants: the GT 55 4Matic+ and the GT 63 4Matic+.

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe is based on the same platform, drivetrain, and features as the latest SL roadster, which AMG also developed from scratch. However, the coupe has its own distinctive design, tuning, and personality that aim to set it apart from its soft-top sibling and other competitors in the segment.

The new AMG GT Coupe retains the original model's long hood, short deck, and wide stance but adds sharper lines, larger air intakes, and slimmer LED headlights and taillights. The front grille features a vertical-slat design inspired by the Mercedes-AMG GT3 race car, while the rear end sports a prominent diffuser and a retractable spoiler. The coupe also gets a panoramic glass roof as standard, which can be optionally replaced by a carbon-fiber roof for weight savings.

The new AMG GT Coupe interior is a blend of luxury and sportiness, with leather upholstery, carbon-fiber trim, ambient lighting, and metal accents. The dashboard is dominated by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that runs on the latest MBUX software. The center console houses a touchpad controller, a drive mode selector, and several buttons for various functions. The coupe also features a new AMG Performance steering wheel with capacitive buttons and haptic feedback.

One of the most significant changes for the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe is the optional 2+2 seating configuration that allows it to accommodate two small passengers in the back and a larger and more accessible trunk. This makes the coupe more versatile and practical than its predecessor, which was strictly a two-seater. However, AMG warns that the rear seats are only suitable for people under five feet tall.

Another major change for the new AMG GT Coupe is the switch from a rear-wheel-drive system to a fully variable all-wheel-drive system that promises to offer a wider range of driving characteristics and improved traction and stability in all weather conditions. Depending on the driving situation and mode, the system can distribute the power evenly between the front and rear axles or send it entirely to the rear wheels. The system also incorporates an electronically controlled limited-slip differential and rear-wheel steering for enhanced agility and stability. The coupe also benefits from an adaptive suspension with semi-active hydraulic roll stabilization and composite brake discs. An optional ceramic brake system with larger front discs will be offered later in 2024.

The new AMG GT Coupe will be initially available in two variants: the GT 55 4Matic+ and the GT 63 4Matic+. Both are powered by a hand-built twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine that has been updated to meet future emission standards. The GT 55 produces 469 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, while the GT 63 delivers 577 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. Both models are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission that features a wet start-off clutch instead of a torque converter. The transmission is mounted directly to the engine, replacing the previous transaxle unit that was located within the rear axle assembly.



According to Mercedes-AMG, the new GT Coupe can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds for the GT 63 model and 3.8 seconds for the GT 55 model. The top speed is rated at 196 mph for the GT 63 and 183 mph for the GT 55. The coupe also boasts improved aerodynamics, thanks to an active air control system that adjusts the airflow through the front grille and underbody depending on the speed and cooling needs.

The new AMG GT Coupe is not only faster and more dynamic than its predecessor but also more intelligent and connected. It comes with a host of advanced driver-assistance systems, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot assist, cross-traffic assist, evasive steering assist, active brake assist, active parking assist, surround-view camera, head-up display, and more. It also features a cloud-based navigation system that can provide real-time traffic information, route guidance, and parking availability. The coupe also supports over-the-air updates for the software and maps.

The new AMG GT Coupe is expected to start at around $150,000 for the GT 55 model and $180,000 for the GT 63 model, making it a close rival to the Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S, respectively. However, the coupe could also face competition from other high-end sports cars, such as the Aston Martin Vantage, the Audi R8, the BMW M8, the Ferrari Roma, the Jaguar F-Type, the Lexus LC, and the Nissan GT-R.

Mercedes-AMG has not announced whether it will offer a four-cylinder entry-level option for the new GT Coupe, as it does for the SL 43 model. However, spy shots have revealed that the company is working on at least one plug-in hybrid variant that will feature a charging port on the rear bumper. The hybrid model could offer even more power and efficiency than the V8 models and an electric-only driving range.

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe is a bold and ambitious move by Mercedes-AMG to redefine its flagship sports car and challenge the dominance of the Porsche 911. By adding more seats, power, tech, and versatility to the coupe, the company hopes to attract more customers who want a car that can do it all: thrill them on the track, pamper them on the road, and accommodate them on everyday trips. Whether the new AMG GT Coupe can live up to its promises and expectations remains to be seen, but it looks like a formidable contender in the segment.