Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Mercedes-AMG GT review

The Mercedes-AMG has the Porsche 911 in its sights with sleek styling, storming V8 performance and plenty of tech

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Price
£102,295 - £191,250
  • Storming V8 engine
  • Sharp handling
  • Huge grip
  • Sensitive steering
  • Expensive to buy
  • Noisy at motorway speeds
Find your Mercedes AMG GT
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car
Advertisement

The Mercedes AMG GT is undoubtedly one of Porsche's biggest headaches. It follows on from the dramatic SLS, doing without the gullwing doors, but lowering weight and increasing performance. 

It’s one of the most expensive and powerful Mercedes you can buy; and, its two-door, two-seater layout, coupled with sharp, engaging handling and a thundering V8 engine, put it firmly in 911 territory.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The base 516bhp model is a fun car, but those after a track-biased weapon will want the storming GT R - it's got 577bhp, a more focused chassis setup and technology to help flatter the driver and set blistering lap times.

Mercedes has also introduced the standalone 720bhp GT Black Series, which comes with the added kudos of being the world’s fastest production car around a lap of the Nurburgring. What isn't so impressive is the price - at £335,000 it takes the AMG GT into a seriously different league.

Perhaps the best compromise for customers is the 549bhp GT C Roadster. It's faster than the regular model and a more agile and engaging driver's car, yet it's more set up for the road than the GT R.

All except the GT R make surprisingly good cruisers, though. Because the suspension isn’t too firm, the AMG GT is comfortable enough on long, lazy journeys. It's a pity the steering isn't as natural and communicative as the Porsche – the set-up in the GT R is the best of the range – while some may find the interior ergonomics aren't that intuitive. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The AMG GT's price – and the AMG GT roadster prices – show the model family was conceived with one primary mission: to give the Mercedes family a sporting rival to the omnipotent Porsche 911. Targeting the 911 means potential buyers may also consider the Aston Martin Vantage, Audi R8 or even the Jaguar F-Type R. If you’re fortunate enough to be able to consider the hottest AMG GT R model, you could also be thinking about the fabulous McLaren 570S or 570GT as possible alternatives.

The Mercedes-AMG GT model lineup is pretty straightforward, with the entry-level versions available in either Coupe or open-top Roadster forms. You can also upgrade to the Night Edition variants which offer plenty of moody black trim and various cosmetic tweaks.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The GT C, which arrived soon after the GT R, is a bit of a performance compromise - featuring more power than the entry model, plus details such as the wider rear track and suspension setup largely borrowed from the GT R. Ultimately, it's designed as a road-biased sports car, with enough comfort and refinement to be used daily. 

All the AMG GT models share versions of the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that now appears elsewhere in the AMG line-up. The motor is mounted ahead of the driver, but set well-back, in what Mercedes describes as a front-mid engine configuration. Drive is directed to the rear wheels through a paddle-shifted seven-speed dual-clutch automated gearbox, and there’s no manually shifted option.

The AMG GT starts at around £108,000 for the Coupe and £120,000 for the Roadster version. Consequently, running costs are very high and every model is in insurance group 50 (though that’s on a par with their rivals). 

The handling is extremely sharp, but the AMG GT is much more composed and less intimidating than you’d expect a 500bhp+ rear-wheel drive sports car to be. It’s quite civilised and as comfortable on long journeys as it is racing around a track.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    GT 43 4Matic Premium 2dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £102,295

Most Economical

  • Name
    GT 63 S E Performance 4dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £178,360

Fastest

  • Name
    GT 63 S E 4Matic+ Performance Premium + 2dr Auto
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • RRP
    £180,250
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on AMG GT

New F1-inspired Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro ‘Motorsport Collectors Edition’ unleashed
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro ‘Motorsport Collectors Edition’ - front 3/4

New F1-inspired Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro ‘Motorsport Collectors Edition’ unleashed

Just 200 of the special edition Mercedes-AMG GTs will be built - featuring an F1-inspired livery
News
19 Sep 2024
New Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro targets Porsche 911 GT3 buyers
New Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro 4MATIC+ - front cornering

New Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro targets Porsche 911 GT3 buyers

AMG’s new high-performance coupe has picked up new elements designed to improve on-track performance
News
12 Jul 2024
New Mercedes-AMG GT 63 2024 review: a superb car for going fast
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 - front

New Mercedes-AMG GT 63 2024 review: a superb car for going fast

The new-generation Mercedes-AMG GT 63 coupe has the Porsche 911 firmly in its sights
Road tests
21 May 2024
New Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance revealed: the fastest accelerating AMG ever is a plug-in hybrid
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E-Performance - front

New Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance revealed: the fastest accelerating AMG ever is a plug-in hybrid

The Porsche 911-rivalling coupe receives a new, range-topping 805bhp plug-in hybrid powertrain
News
20 Apr 2024
New Mercedes-AMG GT 43 revealed with 416bhp 2.0-litre engine
Mercedes-AMG GT 43 - front tracking

New Mercedes-AMG GT 43 revealed with 416bhp 2.0-litre engine

AMG’s flagship sports car has been fitted with the brand’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine
News
19 Mar 2024
2024 Mercedes-AMG GT: pricing, specs and performance of new premium sports car
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 - front

2024 Mercedes-AMG GT: pricing, specs and performance of new premium sports car

All-new AMG GT will receive a range of powertrains
News
11 Dec 2023
New Mercedes-AMG GT2 Pro will monster any track day
Mercedes-AMG GT2 Pro - front 3/4

New Mercedes-AMG GT2 Pro will monster any track day

It’s the “pinnacle” of Affalterbach’s sports car portfolio
News
6 Nov 2023
New 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Concept E Performance arrives
Mercedes-AMG-GT-Concept-E-Performance - front

New 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Concept E Performance arrives

Mercedes has previewed the plug-in hybrid version of the AMG GT sports car in Munich
News
6 Sep 2023
New 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT: 2+2 sports car revealed at Monterey Car Week
Mercedes-AMG GT on display at Monterey Car Week 2023 - front 3/4 static

New 2023 Mercedes-AMG GT: 2+2 sports car revealed at Monterey Car Week

The new SL-based AMG GT will take on the Porsche 911 with V8 power
News
21 Aug 2023
724bhp Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series debuts as Affalterbach’s most powerful sports car
Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series - static

724bhp Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series debuts as Affalterbach’s most powerful sports car

The GT Track Series is an even more focused, non-road-legal derivative of AMG’s sports car
News
24 Mar 2022
F1 road cars: performance cars from the 2021 Formula One teams tested
F1 road cars header

F1 road cars: performance cars from the 2021 Formula One teams tested

We put the performance products of seven Formula One teams through their paces on track
Features
26 Mar 2021
Skip advert
Advertisement
Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series takes Nurburgring lap record

Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series takes Nurburgring lap record

The 720bhp AMG GT Black Series is officially the world’s fastest production car around the ‘Ring with a lap time of 6:43.616 minutes
News
18 Nov 2020
New Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series 2020 review
Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series

New Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series 2020 review

The new hardcore Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is the most extreme GT yet
Road tests
4 Oct 2020
New Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster 2019 review
Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster - front

New Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster 2019 review

The Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster is the brand's most powerful convertible ever, but at almost £180k it's up against some serious competition
Road tests
25 Nov 2019
Porsche 911 Cabriolet vs Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster
Porsche 911 Cabriolet vs Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster - header

Porsche 911 Cabriolet vs Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster

The brand new Porsche 911 Cabriolet takes on the updated Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster
Car group tests
20 Aug 2019
Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster: prices announced
Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster - Geneva front

Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster: prices announced

The range topping Mercedes-AMG GT R convertible will arrive in the UK this autumn, with prices starting from £178,675
News
19 Jun 2019
New Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro review

New Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro review

We hit the track in the new Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro to see if it's a serious threat to McLaren and Porsche
Road tests
10 Apr 2019
New hardcore Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro prices announced
Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro - front action

New hardcore Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro prices announced

Mercedes’ rival for the Porsche 911 GT3 RS is on sale now, with prices starting from £188,345
News
18 Mar 2019
Mercedes-AMG GT C vs Porsche 911 Turbo
Mercedes-AMG GT C vs Porsche 911 Turbo - header

Mercedes-AMG GT C vs Porsche 911 Turbo

The Mercedes-AMG GT C aims to offer on-the-edge thrills in an everyday package, but how does it perform against the Porsche 911 Turbo?
Car group tests
2 Aug 2018
New Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster unveiled
Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster front outside

New Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster unveiled

Third AMG GT Roadster variant sits between the current GT and GT C, with 0-62mph taking 3.8 seconds
News
14 May 2018
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Edition 1 specs revealed
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S - front

Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Edition 1 specs revealed

Limited-run version of the new 4-door AMG GT gets unique styling upgrades
News
8 May 2018
Mercedes-AMG GT - best sports cars
Mercedes-AMG GT S 2015 - cornering

Mercedes-AMG GT - best sports cars

Front-engined, rear-drive coupe is a stern challenger for the 911
Best cars & vans
9 Jan 2018
Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster review
Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster - front

Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster review

The awesome Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster offers wind-in-the-hair thrill seekers a genuine rival to the Porsche 911 Cabriolet
In-depth reviews
15 Dec 2017