Home 
Car Articles Reviews Reviews Listings Mercedes-Benz Reviews
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S 4.0 (A) Review
30 Oct 2015|22,129 views
Anger will not control us nor will it define us but Mercedes-AMG (Mercedes-Benz AMG previously) doesn't appear to be interested in any of that.
It doesn't really matter because most people like an angry AMG, and the angrier the better. In fact, no car better personifies vehicular anger than the all new Mercedes-AMG GT S.
The GT S is the new pinnacle sporting model available from the German marque. Instead of directly replacing the brand's last supercar offering, the SLS AMG, the new coupe forgoes big numbers to take on more everyday sports cars, such as the Porsche 911 and the Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe.
So with this less expensive but still pricey ($688,888 as of 23rd October 2015) flagship sports car, what has Mercedes wrought?
Exterior
At first glance, the GT S may seem like it's a simple evolution of the SLS as it carries over the same front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout with a long bonnet and tightly sloped rear end.
 |
Of course, it is no less dramatic to look at, even though the matte grey colour of our test car wraps its muscular stance like a tailored suit. Its head-turning ability cannot be ignored too as we were constantly faced with extra eyeballs during our time with it.
Measuring 4,546mm x 1,939mm x 1,288mm (L x W x H), the GT S is only 92mm shorter, just as wide and 26mm lower than the SLS but upon approaching the new car for the first time in the metal, its tauter body panels, shorter overhangs and the swoopy new liftback-style rump make it appear significantly smaller and better proportioned.
Unfortunately, the GT S' smaller dimensions mean that it has ditched the SLS' gullwing doors, but the upside is that the car is a lot easier to get in and out of.
 |
Interior
Opening up the conventionally hinged but frameless door and you'll be greeted by a snug two-seater cabin that's set well back, with a low slung driving position.
Starting with the new S-Class, Mercedes' interior design has been peaking on a very high plateau and the GT S continues that lovely trend.
A chunky three-spoke steering wheel falls beautifully to hand as you settle in
Build quality is first-class with plenty of leather and metal used throughout. A huge centre console splits the cabin in half and in what seems like a nod to the V8 engine, two banks of buttons to control an assortment of functions are laid out in a V formation.
The cabin looks tight but from what we experienced, it should be comfortable for people of all shapes and sizes. Ingress and egress are no more difficult than in a regular sports car, and once inside the multi-adjustable sports seats provide plenty of position options for optimum comfort.
Opening up the conventionally hinged but frameless door and you'll be greeted by a snug two-seater cabin that's set well back, with a low slung driving position.
Starting with the new S-Class, Mercedes' interior design has been peaking on a very high plateau and the GT S continues that lovely trend.
Build quality is first-class with plenty of leather and metal used throughout. A huge centre console splits the cabin in half and in what seems like a nod to the V8 engine, two banks of buttons to control an assortment of functions are laid out in a V formation.
The cabin looks tight but from what we experienced, it should be comfortable for people of all shapes and sizes. Ingress and egress are no more difficult than in a regular sports car, and once inside the multi-adjustable sports seats provide plenty of position options for optimum comfort.
The biggest gripe then - and it's a bit of nitpicking really - is the location of the gear selector, which is set a little far back in the centre console and requires a slight contortion to engage.
The cockpit revolves around a lightweight and modern aviation theme
But once on the move, it's a simple job of pressing a button to switch between full automatic and manual modes, where the slick steering wheel paddles take over the job of changing gears.
Day-to-day usability is also key and the car's hatch will swallow 350 litres of cargo or two golf bags. The boot lid also opens wide so access is easy and there's an aluminium strut to stop luggage from sliding forward under hard braking.
But once on the move, it's a simple job of pressing a button to switch between full automatic and manual modes, where the slick steering wheel paddles take over the job of changing gears.
Day-to-day usability is also key and the car's hatch will swallow 350 litres of cargo or two golf bags. The boot lid also opens wide so access is easy and there's an aluminium strut to stop luggage from sliding forward under hard braking.
 |
The Drive
With 503bhp and 650Nm on tap, the new 4.0-litre bi-turbo engine is about 68bhp less powerful than the previous 6.3-litre V8 in the SLS, but turbochargers help generate an identical 650Nm of torque.
Its flexibility is immediately apparent, as the GT S gently rides its wave of pulling power with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission smoothly finding the gears.
As a result, the GT S slingshots from 0-100km/h in a staggering 3.8 seconds. On the way there - and beyond - the engine roars away, sonorously bellowing right through to its peak at 6,250rpm.
While it doesn't have quite the visceral, sky-ripping, thunderous roar of the SLS' old naturally aspirated 6.3-litre V8, it still makes plenty of its own music. That's especially true when you push the 'volume increase' button that opens the exhaust flaps and brings all that glorious sound into the surrounding environment.
A car with pace must have handling grace and this car has just that, thanks to its adjustable suspension and razor-sharp steering. For all of its tautness, the GT S is a reasonably refined cruiser. The suspension setup is just on the right side of firm. Even with the dampers in Sport+ Mode, the car's ride will not unsettle occupants.
The steering may be a little vague off-centre at low speed but it improves in feel and communication the harder you push and the quicker you go. Once you're in tune with it, the car's easy to manage, while the stiff chassis and wide tyres deliver huge amounts of grip.
Conclusion
More than just the engine, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S is a complete package. It is a stylish, head-turning cruiser when you need to it and an angry tyre-frying bruiser when you want it.
Anger will not control us nor will it define us but Mercedes-AMG (Mercedes-Benz AMG previously) doesn't appear to be interested in any of that.
It doesn't really matter because most people like an angry AMG, and the angrier the better. In fact, no car better personifies vehicular anger than the all new Mercedes-AMG GT S.
The GT S is the new pinnacle sporting model available from the German marque. Instead of directly replacing the brand's last supercar offering, the SLS AMG, the new coupe forgoes big numbers to take on more everyday sports cars, such as the Porsche 911 and the Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe.
So with this less expensive but still pricey ($688,888 as of 23rd October 2015) flagship sports car, what has Mercedes wrought?
Exterior
At first glance, the GT S may seem like it's a simple evolution of the SLS as it carries over the same front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout with a long bonnet and tightly sloped rear end.
Of course, it is no less dramatic to look at, even though the matte grey colour of our test car wraps its muscular stance like a tailored suit. Its head-turning ability cannot be ignored too as we were constantly faced with extra eyeballs during our time with it.
Measuring 4,546mm x 1,939mm x 1,288mm (L x W x H), the GT S is only 92mm shorter, just as wide and 26mm lower than the SLS but upon approaching the new car for the first time in the metal, its tauter body panels, shorter overhangs and the swoopy new liftback-style rump make it appear significantly smaller and better proportioned.
Unfortunately, the GT S' smaller dimensions mean that it has ditched the SLS' gullwing doors, but the upside is that the car is a lot easier to get in and out of.
Interior
Opening up the conventionally hinged but frameless door and you'll be greeted by a snug two-seater cabin that's set well back, with a low slung driving position.
Starting with the new S-Class, Mercedes' interior design has been peaking on a very high plateau and the GT S continues that lovely trend.
Build quality is first-class with plenty of leather and metal used throughout. A huge centre console splits the cabin in half and in what seems like a nod to the V8 engine, two banks of buttons to control an assortment of functions are laid out in a V formation.
The cabin looks tight but from what we experienced, it should be comfortable for people of all shapes and sizes. Ingress and egress are no more difficult than in a regular sports car, and once inside the multi-adjustable sports seats provide plenty of position options for optimum comfort.
Opening up the conventionally hinged but frameless door and you'll be greeted by a snug two-seater cabin that's set well back, with a low slung driving position.
Starting with the new S-Class, Mercedes' interior design has been peaking on a very high plateau and the GT S continues that lovely trend.
Build quality is first-class with plenty of leather and metal used throughout. A huge centre console splits the cabin in half and in what seems like a nod to the V8 engine, two banks of buttons to control an assortment of functions are laid out in a V formation.
The cabin looks tight but from what we experienced, it should be comfortable for people of all shapes and sizes. Ingress and egress are no more difficult than in a regular sports car, and once inside the multi-adjustable sports seats provide plenty of position options for optimum comfort.
The biggest gripe then - and it's a bit of nitpicking really - is the location of the gear selector, which is set a little far back in the centre console and requires a slight contortion to engage.
But once on the move, it's a simple job of pressing a button to switch between full automatic and manual modes, where the slick steering wheel paddles take over the job of changing gears.
Day-to-day usability is also key and the car's hatch will swallow 350 litres of cargo or two golf bags. The boot lid also opens wide so access is easy and there's an aluminium strut to stop luggage from sliding forward under hard braking.
But once on the move, it's a simple job of pressing a button to switch between full automatic and manual modes, where the slick steering wheel paddles take over the job of changing gears.
Day-to-day usability is also key and the car's hatch will swallow 350 litres of cargo or two golf bags. The boot lid also opens wide so access is easy and there's an aluminium strut to stop luggage from sliding forward under hard braking.
The Drive
With 503bhp and 650Nm on tap, the new 4.0-litre bi-turbo engine is about 68bhp less powerful than the previous 6.3-litre V8 in the SLS, but turbochargers help generate an identical 650Nm of torque.
Its flexibility is immediately apparent, as the GT S gently rides its wave of pulling power with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission smoothly finding the gears.
As a result, the GT S slingshots from 0-100km/h in a staggering 3.8 seconds. On the way there - and beyond - the engine roars away, sonorously bellowing right through to its peak at 6,250rpm.
While it doesn't have quite the visceral, sky-ripping, thunderous roar of the SLS' old naturally aspirated 6.3-litre V8, it still makes plenty of its own music. That's especially true when you push the 'volume increase' button that opens the exhaust flaps and brings all that glorious sound into the surrounding environment.
With 503bhp and 650Nm on tap, the new 4.0-litre bi-turbo engine is about 68bhp less powerful than the previous 6.3-litre V8 in the SLS, but turbochargers help generate an identical 650Nm of torque.
Its flexibility is immediately apparent, as the GT S gently rides its wave of pulling power with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission smoothly finding the gears.
As a result, the GT S slingshots from 0-100km/h in a staggering 3.8 seconds. On the way there - and beyond - the engine roars away, sonorously bellowing right through to its peak at 6,250rpm.
While it doesn't have quite the visceral, sky-ripping, thunderous roar of the SLS' old naturally aspirated 6.3-litre V8, it still makes plenty of its own music. That's especially true when you push the 'volume increase' button that opens the exhaust flaps and brings all that glorious sound into the surrounding environment.
A car with pace must have handling grace and this car has just that, thanks to its adjustable suspension and razor-sharp steering. For all of its tautness, the GT S is a reasonably refined cruiser. The suspension setup is just on the right side of firm. Even with the dampers in Sport+ Mode, the car's ride will not unsettle occupants.
The steering may be a little vague off-centre at low speed but it improves in feel and communication the harder you push and the quicker you go. Once you're in tune with it, the car's easy to manage, while the stiff chassis and wide tyres deliver huge amounts of grip.
Conclusion
More than just the engine, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S is a complete package. It is a stylish, head-turning cruiser when you need to it and an angry tyre-frying bruiser when you want it.
Photos by Low Fai Ming
Car Information
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S 4.0 (A)
CAT B|Petrol|10.6km/L
Horsepower
384kW (515 bhp)
Torque
670 Nm
Acceleration
3.8sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
Thank You For Your Subscription.
Tags
Products & Services
For Owners
Quick Links
About Sgcarmart
