2019 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe 4-door First Drive | Photos, prices



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In recent years, Mercedes-Benz has put a lot of effort and resources into developing its internal performance division, AMG. Now not only responsible for improving Mercedes-Benz models, Mercedes-AMG now builds production vehicles from scratch, with an emphasis on track performance.

Following in the footsteps of the SLS AMG and the Mercedes-AMG GT, the new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupe is the third AMG vehicle designed and manufactured entirely in-house. With this level of creative control, Mercedes-AMG says it has equipped the GT 53, 63 and 63 S 4-door coupe with a real driving dynamics of sports car, at no cost to the comfort of daily driving. Pricing information has not yet been released, but the GT 4-Door will be in direct competition with Porsche's Panamera, which ranges from $ 85,000 to $ 185,000.

Our first four-seater outing takes us on winding roads around Austin, Texas, and on the Circuit of the Americas hosting the annual Grand Prix of America. Will the GT 4-Door be too fierce for the family, too docile for the track or in between?

Coupe Mercedes-AMG GT 4 doors 2019
Miles Branman / Digital Trends

Smarter performance

Although the AMG GT 4-door coupe does not receive the latest Mercedes-Benz infotainment technology, MBUX, its two 12.3-inch displays and its COMAND module are always dazzling. The high-quality glass displays appear as a clear widescreen display, but the contents are split above the on / off button. The driver display is displayed in one of three orientations: classic, sport or supersport (which centers the tachometer). The touch controls on the steering wheel, which glide like a smartphone, personalize the dashboard information. An 8.0-inch head-up display is available to complement large digital displays.

There is no GT 4-door coupe slow, but the range simply goes from "fast" to vicious.

A touchpad with haptic feedback and a set of brushed metal flip-flops on the dashboard control the center screen, which displays navigation, media, air conditioning and other common functions. COMAND is still not the most intuitive system on the market, but it's no longer frustrating to use it with faster response times and a more logical menu structure. Multiple USB ports, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and a Wi-Fi access point are all part of the package.

Mercedes-AMG's full range of active safety features including Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Monitoring and Cross Back Alert are available .

Track Titan

There is no GT 4-door coupe slow, but the range goes from simple "fast" to more vicious depending on the specifications of your choice.

The GT 53 models adopt a 3.0-liter turbocharged in-line six-cylinder engine with a hybrid tower. Although the six-horsepower 429 horsepower has a lot of grunt, the addition of a starter generator placed between the engine and the transmission gives way to 21 horsepower and greatly reduces torque delay. If 4.4 seconds at 60 mph are not impressive, the GT 63 and 63 S should satisfy.

Coupe Mercedes-AMG GT 4 doors 2019
Miles Branman / Digital Trends

Both GT 63 and 63 S models use AMG's 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. The standard 63 cars produce 577 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque for a 0 to 60 sprint of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 193 mph. At the top of the range, the GT 63 S boasts an impressive 630 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque, propelling the four-seater to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and electronically limited top speed of 195 mph. . Whichever engine suits your fancy, the GT 4-door coupe is equipped with AMG's nine-speed multi-clutch gearbox and 4Matic + all-wheel drive.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S four-door coupe is unlike any of the four doors we drove in anger.

On paper, a family carrier seems to be a mismatched vehicle for a Formula One circuit, but the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4-door coupe is unlike any of the four vehicles we drove in anger.

Having at least two tons of mass (its official empty weight has not been announced yet) is not an easy task, but AMG uses a number of sophisticated technologies to make the GT 63 S lightweight. The foundation of any track and field is the AMG Performance 4Matic + AWD system, which continuously varies the torque distribution between the front and rear axles according to style and driving conditions. Combined with a limited-slip electronic rear differential, multi-chamber air suspension, active rear-wheel steering and a set of stuck-in Michelin PS4S tires, the GT 63 S clings in turns and out. S models also benefit from adaptive engine mounts, which stiffen depending on the driving style to increase rigidity and responsiveness of the chassis.

Coupe Mercedes-AMG GT 4 doors 2019 Compared to

Racing around the COTA's 3.4 mile circuit, the GT 63 S takes precise lines through turns, carries incredible velocity in straight lines, and effectively rubs speed (thanks to six-piston carbon ceramic caps). of our tester). Weight transfer is the only indicator that you do not drive a two-door car. Compared to the AMG GT R, the 4-door GT coupe needs a split second more to install before making the following decision. That said, we doubt that another four-door will keep pace with the GT 63 S on a race track.

Sinister and majestic

With the all-new CLS system, which loses its AMG specifications, the GT 4-door coupe takes over the four most dynamic Mercedes-AMG doors. Designed to match its aggressiveness, the GT is low and wide, with a fastback silhouette, wide wings and a long hood.

Like the two-door, the GT 4-door carries Mercedes-AMG shark nose, Panamericana slot grill, piercing LED headlamps and active air channel flanked by wide entrances. Without the hood angle and the higher driving height, two- and four-door GTs could easily be confused. In profile, a range of wheels 19, 20 and 21 inches fits perfectly in the pronounced wings of the GT. Our favorite game, the chunky five-piece monoblock, is a return to the AMG models of the late 1990s and seems appropriate to the GT's pumped body. Importantly, the slightly tapered silhouette of the GT also stands out from the redesigned CLS. At the rear, thin LED taillights, integrated air extractors and four – way exhaust ports balance muscle and elegance.

The 4-door GT coupe can be dressed in one of six style sets, with black gloss, shiny chrome or carbon fiber treatments combined with unique bumpers. A class-exclusive fixed rear wing is part of such a kit, although we preferred the built-in trunk spoiler (and very subtle). Customers can also choose from a wide selection of standard and matte paint colors. Anyway, the coupe GT 4 doors is a beautiful devil.

In the GT 4-door coupe, Mercedes-Benz's familiar, luxurious cabin is excited by AMG's performance. A large, flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel features a dial to quickly switch between driving modes and two reconfigurable tabs to change performance settings on the fly. Customers can choose from two front seat options, each available in MB-Tex, Nappa or microfibre. The more aggressive AMG Performance seats include adjustable side cushions and are available with seat heating or ventilation. Standard sport seats add a massage function to the comfort equation.

Anyway, the coupe GT 4 doors is a beautiful devil.

Only a pair of rear passengers can accompany the trip, thanks to a choice of seating configurations. Standard is a set of non-folding chairs with an open central area. The optional executive pack adds a fixed center console with convenience settings and fold-down seatbacks. In the name of chassis stiffness, the GT 4-door coupe is not available with a panoramic sunroof, making the rear compartment smaller than it is.

Warranty and security

Mercedes-AMG includes a new four-year / 50,000-mile car warranty, but unlike its luxury rivals, it does not offer scheduled free maintenance.

The 4-door GT coupe has not yet been tested by the IIHS or the NHTSA.

Porsche's counter-strike

A year ago, the GT 4-Door Coupé would have had several direct competitors, including the BMW M6 Gran Sport and the Audi RS7. Today, the only direct competitor is the Porsche Panamera. Guests in the high-performance four-door space will also likely consider the BMW M5 and Tesla's S P100D models. The GT will inevitably ride the E63.

It's not a coincidence that the three levels of the AMG 4-door GT Coupe (53, 63 and 63 S) blend with the Porsche Panamera 4S (440 hp, $ 104,050), Turbo (550 hp, 155 hp). $ 050) and Turbo S E-Hybrid. (680 hp, $ 185,450). The power and acceleration should be on the whole, with the exception of the Panamera, which has a 50-horsepower advantage on the GT 63 S. On a circuit, however, we believe that the AMG should beat its rival German loaded with hybrids.

Coupe Mercedes-AMG GT 4 doors 2019
Miles Branman / Digital Trends

How DT would configure this car

Mercedes-AMG has not published its online configurator nor its complete packaging details, so we can only vote for the high-tech equipment of the GT 4-Door Coupé. So it's no surprise that out of the three, we choose the GT 63 S for its monstrous power and sensational handling. Loaded with standard performance and technical strengths, we only offer a few add-ons: driver assistance features, the Burmeister audio system, head-up display and professional rear seats.

Segment remodeling

With the GT 4-door coupe, AMG seems to have bent physics as it pleases. Although weighed down by luxury features, sound-absorbing materials and advanced safety technologies, the GT dominates a race track better than most two-door sports cars. And when the break-in session ends, she takes on the role of premium commuter with the same availability. Consider the high performance four-door benchmark.

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