What We Like
Powerful and characterful 3.0-litre in-line six engine
Lovely soundtrack
Fun to drive, yet comfortable daily use
Five seats and good boot space make it practical
What We Dislike
The E63 S is better
When it comes to Mercedes' hardcore AMG performance brand, the most flamboyant model, without doubt, is the AMG GT. With its long menacing nose and stout stance, it's a proper sports car that exudes visual presence. And of course, it packs a vicious engine and sharp dynamics.
With its aggressive front fascia and muscular shoulders, there's no mistaking this car's AMG DNAAnd yet, it seems having just a sports car isn't enough. It appears that someone must have asked the question, "Hey, can I have that, but in a more sensible four-door form?"
Well, here is the answer to a question that has never really been asked - the new Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Coupe 4-Door Mild Hybrid 53 4MATIC+ (A).
The controls on the centre console are arranged in a V8 fashion
The what?
The AMG GT 4-Door is a (as the name suggests) four-door, five-seat, family-friendly version of the AMG GT. Visually, it presents all the hallmarks of an AMG - aggressive Panamericana front grille, a long bonnet with two powerdomes, massive air intakes, muscular shoulders and a low, wide stance. One glance, and you know it's a proper performance vehicle.
The inside of the car is, dare we say it, surprisingly sensible and practical. You get eight buttons on the centre console arrange to resemble a V8 engine (yeah, go figure), but beyond that it's a pretty familiar Mercedes cabin. It's steeped in equipment, with two 12.3-inch screens forming the Widescreen Cockpit.
Massage seats allow you to relax while driving homeAs a grand tourer, it also needs to do comfort well, and in this regard it certainly delivers. You get massage seats, lots of ambient lighting to play with, a ton of configurability in the infotainment system, and overall it's a very sleek, comfortable and premium cabin to be in.
Practicality? Yes, there's quite a bit of that, too. You get three seats at the rear and a sizable litre boot (395 litres plus 60 more under the boot floor) so you can safely assure the missus that this is a family car.
With 455 litres of total boot space, the AMG GT 4-Door will see to your hauling needs
Performance, then…
This 53 model, the entry model, is powered by a new 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine producing 429bhp and 520Nm of torque. This engine has its own character - different from the V6s you find in other AMGs, but definitely soulful and full of its own personality.
Well, here is the answer to a question that has never really been asked - the new Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Coupe 4-Door Mild Hybrid 53 4MATIC+ (A).
The what?
The AMG GT 4-Door is a (as the name suggests) four-door, five-seat, family-friendly version of the AMG GT. Visually, it presents all the hallmarks of an AMG - aggressive Panamericana front grille, a long bonnet with two powerdomes, massive air intakes, muscular shoulders and a low, wide stance. One glance, and you know it's a proper performance vehicle.
The inside of the car is, dare we say it, surprisingly sensible and practical. You get eight buttons on the centre console arrange to resemble a V8 engine (yeah, go figure), but beyond that it's a pretty familiar Mercedes cabin. It's steeped in equipment, with two 12.3-inch screens forming the Widescreen Cockpit.
Practicality? Yes, there's quite a bit of that, too. You get three seats at the rear and a sizable litre boot (395 litres plus 60 more under the boot floor) so you can safely assure the missus that this is a family car.
Performance, then…
This 53 model, the entry model, is powered by a new 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine producing 429bhp and 520Nm of torque. This engine has its own character - different from the V6s you find in other AMGs, but definitely soulful and full of its own personality.
Power is doled out immediately and rapidly, paired to a musical soundtrack. And putting down power onto tarmac is nonsensically easy - thanks to four-wheel drive, massively fat tyres and a well-balanced chassis, the GT53 delights in being driven hard.
With three rear seats and reasonable leg room, the GT 4-Door is definitely family-friendlyThe steering is sharp and communicative, the car agile on its feet, and there's no doubting that this is a serious performance car.
Thankfully, the GT53 is also capable of doing the whole comfort shebang. Leave it in its most benign mode, and the car potters about quietly and comfortably, ensuring that every grocery run isn't met by vicious stares when you roar past people in the carpark.
The 3.0-litre in-line six engine pumps out 429bhp and 520Nm of torque
So, it's pretty good, then?
Ultimately, this car exists for one reason - the Porsche Panamera. Porsche has proven that there is a market for an expensive, sleek-looking, semi-hardcore, sporty four-door sedan/coupe model, and Mercedes understandably wants a piece of this pie.
This AMG GT 4-Door ticks a lot of the right boxes. It has plenty of power and aural drama. It handles well. It's pleasantly comfortable over long distances. It does the practical things well. And perhaps most importantly, it has genuine AMG DNA, while also still feeling quintessentially like a Mercedes.
The cabin is a classy, premium, comfortable and high-tech affairSo, judged in isolation, it's a stellar car. And it certainly stacks up against the Panamera admirably.
There are just two problems with this car, in our minds. One, we're not sold on how it looks. It's awkward-looking, stuck between trying to be sensible sedan and a flamboyant coupe.
The AMG GT 4-Door ticks all the right boxes for a powerful yet practical grand tourerAnd two, there's another AMG car that does everything mentioned above - the Mercedes-AMG E63 S. That costs around the same kind of money (this car is a little cheaper, but not by much, just $16,000 or 2.79%), but you get a ton more power and drama.
Given a choice, we'd have the E63 S, thank you very much.
Thankfully, the GT53 is also capable of doing the whole comfort shebang. Leave it in its most benign mode, and the car potters about quietly and comfortably, ensuring that every grocery run isn't met by vicious stares when you roar past people in the carpark.
So, it's pretty good, then?
Ultimately, this car exists for one reason - the Porsche Panamera. Porsche has proven that there is a market for an expensive, sleek-looking, semi-hardcore, sporty four-door sedan/coupe model, and Mercedes understandably wants a piece of this pie.
This AMG GT 4-Door ticks a lot of the right boxes. It has plenty of power and aural drama. It handles well. It's pleasantly comfortable over long distances. It does the practical things well. And perhaps most importantly, it has genuine AMG DNA, while also still feeling quintessentially like a Mercedes.
There are just two problems with this car, in our minds. One, we're not sold on how it looks. It's awkward-looking, stuck between trying to be sensible sedan and a flamboyant coupe.
Given a choice, we'd have the E63 S, thank you very much.
