Mercedes-Benz is world-renowned for the style, luxury and quality of their finely crafted German automobiles. The Mercedes AMG division takes that well known excellence and turns it up to 11. Mercedes-AMG (which stands for Aufrecht, Melcher and Großaspach, of course) is the subsidiary of Mercedes that makes their highest performing cars that are just that little bit extra. This usually means extra horsepower, extra performance and extra carbon fiber. Anything that comes out of the AMG workshop is hotly anticipated. But, when the first news of the new AMG GT63 were released, there was some trepidation.
Older GT models, including the 2016 GT S which earned MotorTrend’s 2015 Best Driver’s Car of the Year award, were lithe, long-nosed, 2-door wonders. The new GT63 model, however, is bigger. Not only can you add two more seats, but it’s also added a solid 600lbs to its curb weight. And as anyone who stopped playing sports after high school can attest, added weight doesn’t really enhance your maneuverability. The GT63 still has its long nose and incredible style—and its still an AMG—but how will it be able to compete with the older model?
Sometimes Bigger Does Mean Better: Fast Cars Can Be Comfy
As fun as it is to really let loose while driving on a track, the reality of the situation is that most of us dont get to go on a track as often as we would like. The new GT63 can give you the thrill on the track, but it is also enjoyable to drive and reasonably practical the other few hundred days of the year as well. MotorTrend sums up their enjoyment of the bigger GT by saying that the new AMG GT63 isn’t a 911 and in this case, “that’s a good thing.” The whole point of a Grand Tourer is that you are supposed to enjoy the whole driving experience, after all.
What Does the New GT63 Have To Offer? Speed and Trunk Space
To start out, let’s look at some numbers. In addition to the extra 600 lbs, the GT63 is about half a foot longer and a few inches bigger in just about every dimension. The larger footprint means you can get this GT in a 2+2. And though you wouldn’t want to put anyone but some Hobbits in the backseat (anyone over 5ft is going to have a bad time from that fastback rear window), it does mean that you can actually bring some bigger luggage, or even something like a mountain bike with you when the back seats are folded down.
AMG equipped the GT63 with a 4-liter V-8 engine that won’t give you anything to complain about in the speed and torque department. With 577 horsepower producing 590 lb-ft of torque, the car has enough power to make those extra lbs seem like they aren’t there at all. The Mercedes 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system gives the car the control you need to launch it from 0-60 in a mere 3.1 seconds, and the wet clutch saves weight and allows you to be in full control with paddle shifters if you want.
A Grand Tourer Can Do Both: Comfort and Kick Up Its Heels
Since the GT63 is heavier than its predecessor, AMG took a lot of time making sure that the new weight wasn’t actually evident while you were driving it. The addition of some sophisticated suspension wizadry with the Active Ride Control makes sure there isn’t too much body roll while you are putting it through its paces. A collection of driving modes can take the GT63 from a comfortable tourer well suited for a day on the highway to a roaring beast that is ready for the racetrack at a moment’s notice. All of these changes are just a few taps away on the infotainment screen.
As MotorTrend said, the car isn’t a 911. It’s bigger, more comfortable for long drives, and has a place to keep plenty of luggage. But if you switch it into Sport (or Sport+ or Race) mode, it turns into an different creature entirely. A racetrack or quiet mountain road can still unleast the AMG GT63’s inner beast, hugging corners and bringing the joy that only a great drive can bring.
Though the exact numbers aren’t in yet, this new AMG Merc is promised to be less than $180,000. And when it can do all that and look that good doing it? It’s practically a bargain.
