Overview
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT sedan may be based on the staid E-class, but it manages to capture the riotous spirit of the AMG GT Coupe from which it borrows its name. The GT four-door is offered with a wide array of powertrains. The inline-six found in the GT43 and GT53 is more than adequate, but stepping up to the GT63 models nets a twin-turbo V-8 that turns the GT sedan into a true four-passenger supercar. With 630 horsepower in the GT63 S, 60 mph arrives in a brief 2.6 seconds. Mercedes is taking things a step further for 2024, introducing a plug-in hybrid E Performance variant that pushes output to a face-melting 831 ponies while still providing a few miles of pure electric driving. Along with the blistering performance, the AMG GT sedan features a lavish cabin decorated in high-quality materials and modern technology. The fastback roofline may cut into headroom compared to the more upright E-class, but the sleek look is befitting of the GT sedan’s head-snapping performance.
What’s New for 2024?
The Mercedes-AMG GT sedan receives a minor refresh for 2024, sporting a new grille and redesigned front bumper. The lineup also gains a new variant, the GT63 S E Performance, which uses a plug-in hybrid setup to boost output to a massive 831 horsepower.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
We’d suggest going with the mid-range GT53, which offers plenty of horsepower and a pleasant driving experience. We’d add the Warmth and Comfort package, which adds a heated steering wheel, heated front armrests, and rapid-heating elements for the front seats. The Driver Assistance package is also appealing, as it adds a host of technologies including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Then again, we were seduced by the 630-hp GT63 S when we last drove it.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Under the hoods of both the GT43 and GT53 is a robust 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine that features a turbocharger, an intercooler, an electric supercharger, and a small electric motor. From a stop, the electric motor and supercharger fill in the brief lapse in torque delivery before the turbo is spinning out full boost. The 3.0-liter, which packs a combined 429 horsepower in the GT53, snaps necks whenever you touch the accelerator. In our testing the GT53, which features a conventional nine-speed automatic transmission, it accelerated to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, and its sporty suspension delivered flat, responsive cornering and sports-car levels of grip. The GT63 and GT63 S are powered by a thunderous 4.0-liter V-8. It’s a technological tour de force with dry-sump oiling, direct injection, and two turbochargers mounted in its V. It’s rated at 575 horsepower in the GT63, and cranked up to 630 horsepower in the GT63 S. These models also get a dual-clutch nine-speed automatic transmission and air suspension. In our testing, the GT63 S needed just 2.6 seconds to reach 60 mph. That’s quicker than a Porsche Panamera Turbo. An even more powerful GT63 S E-Performance plug-in hybrid model joins the lineup for 2024, using a rear-mounted electric motor to boost combined horsepower to 830 hp and torque to a whopping 1082 pound-feet. The electric motor can provide a 201-hp boost for up to 10 seconds, or 94 hp continuously, routed through a two-speed transmission. Mercedes claims a zero-to-62-mph sprint of just 2.9 seconds, but we expect to go even quicker when we test the E Performance. Tarmac everywhere need be worried.
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
The GT63 S E Performance plug-in hybrid’s rear-mounted electric motor is fed by a battery with a 6.1-kWh gross capacity, which we estimate will have a 4.8-kWh usable capacity. Charging occurs via a 3.7-kW onboard AC charger. Mercedes has yet to confirm specifications for the U.S. market but claims a roughly 7-mile range in Europe.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
With such extreme performance, it’s no surprise the Mercedes-AMG GT sedan is thirsty, but its EPA fuel economy estimates aren’t as dire as you might expect. Both the GT43 and GT53 are rated for 19/25 mpg city/highway; a GT53 model returned 27 mpg in our 75-mph highway fuel economy test. The GT63 and GT63 S are both rated at 15/21 city/highway, while the EPA hasn’t released fuel economy figures for the E Performance yet. For more information about the GT’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
While much of the GT’s interior is shared with the other four-door coupe from Mercedes, the CLS, the large console between its seats appears to have been pulled from the GT sports car. It’s a bit intrusive but makes for a sporty cockpit feel. The interior design overall is futuristic and visually exciting, but some of its ergonomics can take some getting used to. This is also a four-seater, which may be an issue for some families. Aggressively bolstered sport seats are standard and comfortable, while a fat and flat-bottomed steering wheel, aluminum trim, and digital gauge cluster fit the sedan’s high-performance mission. Build quality is exceptional, and the materials are in line with AMG’s pricing. This is a hatchback, and the GT coupe’s rear seats do fold down to increase cargo space, should you want to, ahem, pick up a few two-by-fours from the local Lowe’s. With its rear seats in use, there are 12.7 cubic feet of space in the rear cargo hold. That’s plenty for most, but the Porsche Panamera offers more.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Unfortunately, the AMG’s infotainment system, while impressively capable, is complicated and can be frustrating to use. On the upside, its 12.3-inch screen is massive, and Apple CarPlay integration is standard along with wireless phone charging and navigation. Onboard Wi-Fi is available along with a rear-seat central touchscreen display. The front seat area features three USB ports, and there are two more in the back.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Mercedes packs the AMG GT sedan with active safety-tech systems and driver aids. Standard systems include automatic high beams, parking sensors, Mercedes Pre-Safe system, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. The list of optional systems is even longer and includes active lane-keeping assist, active steering assist, active emergency-stop assist, and active distance-assist radar cruise control. For more information about the GT’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking
- Available lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Available adaptive cruise control with semi-autonomous driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
With a four-year or 50,000 mile warranty, the Mercedes-AMG GT gets the same standard coverage as every other Mercedes car and SUV. It matches the warranty duration of the Porsche Panamera and BMW 8-series models; however, BMW includes complimentary scheduled maintenance, while Mercedes does not.
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
Specifications
Specifications
2021 Mercedes-AMG GT63 S
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, rear-/all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED
$199,910 (base price: $162,950)
ENGINE TYPE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block and heads, direct fuel injection
Displacement
243 in3, 3982 cm3
Power
630 hp @ 6500 rpm
Torque
664 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
TRANSMISSION
9-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 15.8-in vented, cross-drilled ceramic disc/14.2-in vented, cross-drilled ceramic disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2, F: 275/35ZR-21 (103Y) MO1 R: 315/30ZR-21 (105Y) MO1
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.2 in
Length: 199.2 in
Width: 76.9 in
Height: 57.0 in
Passenger volume: 102 ft3
Cargo volume: 16 ft3
Curb weight: 4620 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 2.6 sec
100 mph: 6.4 sec
1/4 mile: 10.7 sec @ 129 mph
150 mph: 15.4 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 3.8 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 2.6 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 2.7 sec
Top speed (mfr’s claim): 195 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 157 ft
Braking, 100–0 mph: 299 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 1.05 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 14 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 18/16/21 mpg
2019 Mercedes-AMG GT53 4-Door
VEHICLE TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE AS TESTED
$127,300 (base price: $99,995)
POWERTRAIN
supercharged, turbocharged, and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.0-liter inline-6, 429 hp, 384 lb-ft + AC motor, 21 hp, 184 lb-ft; (combined system, 429 hp, 384 lb-ft; 0.9-kWh lithium-ion battery)
TRANSMISSION
9-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
CHASSIS
Suspension (F/R): multilink/multilink
Brakes (F/R): 14.2-in vented disc/14.2-in vented disc
Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S, F: 275/35ZR-21 108Y MO R: 315/30ZR-21 105Y MO
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 116.2 in
Length: 199.2 in
Width: 76.9 in
Height: 57.3 in
Curb weight: 4563 lb
C/D
TEST RESULTS
Zero to 60 mph: 4.1 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 10.4 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 31.3 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 5.0 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.2 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 3.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.8 sec @ 109 mph
Top speed (governor limited, mfr’s claim): 174 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 151 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 1.00 g
C/D
FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 20 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/city/highway: 21/19/24 mpg
Source: www.caranddriver.com