Mercedes-AMG GT vs Porsche 911 GTS

Mercedes-AMG GT vs Porsche 911 GTS: running costs and practicality

While both models have stop/start, official consumption figures suggest the 911 will be more efficient, as well as cleaner – it claims 202g/km CO2 emissions, compared to 219g/km for the AMG GT S. The less powerful AMG GT emits 216g/km. 

Day-to-day usability is crucial in this market, too, and the Porsche has always excelled here, with its deep 115-litre nose boot and handy rear seats, which double as luggage space. But the AMG runs it close – it has a hatchback tailgate and 350-litre boot. 

Crowded rear axle packaging means the Mercedes’ boot is shallow, although it will hold two golf bags, lengthways or across. Access is easy, as the bootlid opens wide, and there’s an aluminium strut to stop luggage sliding under braking. Cabin storage is tight, with a small glovebox and tiny door pockets, although you do get a decent cubby at the back of the transmission tunnel.

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The AMG GT S gets leather, heated and electric seats, a knee airbag, DAB, Bluetooth and cruise control as standard. Mercedes’ familiar COMAND navigation also features, and with that tablet-style screen, the higher-resolution mapping is more modern than the 911’s PCM navigation screen. The latest COMAND controller features a roller dial and an easy-to-use touchpad, plus there’s voice activation, while lots of the audio, telephone and media functionality is duplicated on the small TFT screen between the conventional dials.

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Key options include the £4,195 Premium Pack, which includes a reversing camera, panoramic sunroof, illuminated AMG side sills and a Burmester audio upgrade. The large central transmission tunnel console can be specified in a choice of chrome, matt carbon, high-gloss carbon, black diamond or matt silver finishes. 

The AMG GT S gets 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels as standard, while our test car’s black rims are a £1,895 option. Or buyers can go for the limited-run AMG GT Edition 1. Based on the GT S, it gets exclusive details like a large fixed rear wing and a carbon fibre front splitter, plus more prominent side skirts.

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Yet whichever AMG GT you choose, the £93,969 911 GTS looks good value – especially when the Powerkit upgrade for the Carrera S (which includes sports chrono with active engine mounts, a sports exhaust and a power hike taking the 3.8-litre flat six from 394bhp to 424bhp) costs £9,380. The GTS gets all this and loads more for less cash.

Standard equipment includes DAB, navigation, xenons and LED tail-lamps, and as with the Merc, there’s a huge range of options and personalisation – which just goes to show how closely matched these cars are. If you’re lucky enough to have around £100,000 to spend on a sports car, you’ve never had such a tantalising choice.

Mercedes-AMG GT vs Porsche 911 GTS: key specs