Car group tests

Mercedes-AMG GT S vs Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS - pictures

by: Auto Express team

14 May 2015

Go to: Mercedes-AMG GT S vs Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS

The Mercedes-AMG GT arrives to take on the long-standing sports car champ: the iconic Porsche 911. 
The model tested here is the Mercedes-AMG GT S, coming in at £110,500, but with all the bits added to our test car it weighs in at £137,300. 
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It's powered by a 4.0-litre V8, producing 503bhp. 
The large centre console splits the cabin in half. 
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Frameless doors make it easy to get in and out of the car, although narrow windows make it feel cramped. 
Boot space is 350 litres, or 285 litres with the divider in place to keep your belongings out of sight. 
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The AMG-GT is stable through the bends, yet the light steering is sensitive to inputs. 
The car's sharp responses mean it turns virtually as soon as you add any lock. 
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Centre console features two banks of buttons which house controls. 
Touchpad takes centre stage in the cabin, positioned where the gearlever should be. 
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Mercedes offers Individual, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and race modes, operated by this rotary switch. 
The AMG GT really stands out with its dramatic shape. 
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The GT's proportions are pure grand tourer, with a low nose, long bonnet, a small cabin set back and a roof profile that arcs back to a short rear deck. 
Front and rear lights feature striking LED details. 
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Thanks to its fast steering, you can easily control slides if you break traction in corners.
The car tested here features £5,995 ceramic brakes. 
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The new 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 makes its debut in the AMG GT. 
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Front and rear lights feature striking LED details. 
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The new V8 engine howls into life and makes the AMG GT attract even more attention. 
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Porsche has a history of building outstanding sports cars, and while smaller models like the Boxster and Cayman are great to drive, there's still something special about the 911. 
Tested here in Carrera 4 GTS guise, this 911 costs £99,374. With all the bits added to our car, it comes in at £114,005.
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The Carrera 4 GTS is powered by a 3.8-litre flat 6cyl, producing 424bhp. 
The cabin doesn't have the wow factor of that of the Mercedes-AMG GT, but it's easy to use. 
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The rear seats are are only really for kids, but the area doubles as extra storage. 
Bulging wheelarches and 20-inch wheels, plus yellow paint, mark out the GTS from regular 911s, but only hardcore Porsche fans will notice the differences. 
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The 911 is one of the best drivers' cars on the market, and the GTS enhances the experience with its adaptive dampers and extra power. 
Optional sports seats cost £2,505 and are tricky to get in and out of because of their fixed position and high sides. 
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Deep storage bin in the nose is just one of the places you can keep things in the 911. 
Today's 991-generation 911 is one of the most involving cars to drive in the 911's history. 
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Five circular dials ahead of the driver are a Porsche trademark. 
A touchscreen system controls audio and sat nav. 
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Full-power upshifts are seamless with the PDK transmission. 
There are so many different 911 variants on sale now, you need to be a diehard to know the differences. 
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Bulging wheelarches, curving window line and louvred rear engine cover pay homage to its ancestors. 
Matt-black 20-inch centre-lock wheels are part of the GTS upgrade. 
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Smoked headlights also part of GTS pack. 
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Wing rises when you reach speeds of 80mph to improve high-speed stability - or you can raise it by pressing a button on the dashboard. 
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