New Mercedes-AMG GT: The Last Dinosaur

The 2nd generation of Mercedes’ sporty coupe continues to turn its back on electrification. A choice that could prove fatal?

A big V8, 4.0 liters of displacement, two large turbos, 585 horsepower, an official “before taxes” fuel consumption of 14.1 liters per 100 km, and 1970 kg on the scale. You’re not reading an old magazine from the 1990s, but the new technical sheet of the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4MATIC+ presented in August 2023.

Proof that there is still a clientele for such an anachronistic coupe, marginal to the wishes of the “trendy” clientele who want to live in the present. Otherwise, they turn to classic cars to have fun over a weekend. Strange. Even at Ferrari, where the engine is the heart of the jewel, the electrification rate (hybridization in this case) of the range has already exceeded 50%. Why? Because when used well, electric assistance offers performance gains: acceleration, re-acceleration, push-to-pass, the benefits are real.

Compared to the Porsche 911 (which has recently confirmed to be hybridizing), Mercedes is therefore choosing the past… for now. It would be surprising if a 100% electric version doesn’t appear very quickly. The message could then be clearer: technological mixes can sometimes be confusing and irrelevant. To be seen…

As for the rest, it’s all very classic for a new generation: the old one improved + 2 small seats at the back. Smoother design, all-wheel drive (like on the SL), enhanced finish, connectivity and digital screens everywhere, and sharper acceleration: 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds.

If your conscience or budget doesn’t allow you to consider the 63 AMG version, a more modest one is also offered: 55 AMG. Same consumption, slightly cheaper and more performant, with “only” 476 horsepower.

The prices and release dates have not yet been announced.

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