Mercedes-AMG GT 4 doors 2019: examination of the first reader

AUSTIN, Texas – At the present time, it's not the time to enjoy the Burmester surround sound system of 1450 watts or ambient ambient lighting of 64 colors or the high resolution color navigation screen of 12.3 inches. If I do not brake immediately and very hard, I will cross Turn 12 of the Circuit of the Americas and the BBQ Green Mesquite nearby. Fortunately, I do not currently have two passengers straddling the rear seats, as flying would undoubtedly upset their Moët & Chandon Rosé.

Last year, the Mercedes-AMG GT R 2018 won one of eight coveted spots on our 2018 Car All stars listing. Our leader, Andy Pilgrim, nicknamed him "the best example of brute force without ignorance that I had the pleasure of driving". The only problem? The two-door GT R allowed its driver to share his incredible muscle and manage his glow with a single lucky passenger.

AMG enthusiasts can now invite three friends to the power festival, thanks to the arrival of the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door coupe 2019. Unlike its two-door brother, the new four-door It is not a modified version by AMG of an existing Benz. It is a machine entirely designed by AMG, a rival of the Porsche Panamera. The US market will have three versions. The entry-level model is the GT 53, featuring Benz's all-new 3.0-liter turbocharged inline six-cylinder, an electric supercharger and a lightweight hybrid system called "EQ Boost" that adds 21 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. . The total production is 429 hp at 6,000 rpm and 384 lb-ft at 5,800. The next step is the GT 63, which has the same 32-valve AMG 4.0-liter V8 that's dual-turbo we find in the two-door GT R. It delivers 577 hp at 5,500 rpm and 74 lb more than in the two-seater, 590 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm. Finally, at the top of the pyramid, just to meet a Panamera Turbo at a red light, here is the version that I drove around the COTA, the GT 63 S, with its V8 version. biturbo with 630 horsepower. at 6,500 rpm and 664 lb-ft at 2,500. Both V-8 models are associated with a nine-speed wet-clutch automatic transmission; The GT 53 is equipped with a conventional nine-speed torque converter. The V-8 GT will arrive in early 2019, followed by GT 53 soon after.

As you would expect from AMG's 4-door GT star, the 63 S is a seriously fast car. The manufacturer claims a time of 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 195 mph. There is also the all-weather versatility of the AMG Performance 4Matic + Variable All-Wheel Drive, which uses an electromechanical clutch to solicit more torque on the front axle than necessary. Standard on the 63 S (and optional on the GT 63), Drift Mode disables the transfer when the car is in Race mode, allowing the 63 S to fully operate in rear-wheel drive. Turn the tires around in steaming pods while spinning around corners. In addition, the V-8 models are equipped with an electronic locking rear differential and a rear steering as standard. Up to 62 mph, the rear tires head to the opposite of the fronts, effectively shortening the wheelbase and improving responsiveness. Above 62 mph, the rears head in tune with the fronts – lengthening the wheelbase for increased stability at speed.

No less than six driving modes are available to fit the 63 S to your needs: slippery, comfort, sport, sport +, race and individual, allowing the driver to create a personalized powertrain response profile, steering feel , damping the suspension, and even the exhaust valves. Among the different modes is a new AMG Dynamics feature that, using built-in sensors to monitor inputs such as speed, g-force and steering angle, continuously adjusts stability control, all-wheel drive, the management the limited slip. The Slippery and Comfort driving modes benefit from a "basic" setting optimized for stability. In Sport mode, AMG Dynamics goes into "advanced" mode, which reduces yaw damping and speeds up management response for improved responsiveness. Sport + gets a "pro" setting, which adds even more liveliness and help with driving. Finally, for track driving, Race mode uses a "master" setting that allows for some oversteer and the fastest steering response of all. When a particular driving mode is selected, the corresponding AMG Dynamics setting is displayed on the multimedia screen.

While the GT 53 uses an AMG Ride Control sport suspension with steel springs and adaptive damping, the V-8 models feature an air suspension, also with adaptive damping. Three different spring adjustment settings are available, depending on the selected driving mode. To reduce roll and pitch, the spring force is also adjusted automatically under conditions such as sudden acceleration, sudden braking or sudden turns.

Active aerodynamics are used on every AMG GT, the rear spoiler flattening to reduce drag on straight lines and move in a tight and tight corner. Choose the aerodynamic package available (available only on the V-8 GT), and the size of the front splitter is increased while the active rear wing is replaced by a manually adjustable rear spoiler. At 186 mph, the fixed rear spoiler provides an additional 66 lb of strength compared to the active version. On the front, 20 vertical fins in the lower front bumper are opened and closed by an electric motor to direct airflow if needed (and to ensure optimum engine cooling).

Although it is not nearly as spectacular as its GT R cousin with two doors and long hood, the GT 4-door is a clean and fluid shape with a slightly more rakish profile than its rival Panamera – but not as distinct than the Maserati Quattroporte. The V-8 models have a sportier front end than the GT 53, with larger air intakes wrapped in silver trim. Optional cosmetic packaging includes night (with high gloss black trim), chrome and carbon fiber. Wheel sizes from 19 to 21 inches are available, all in light alloy to minimize unsprung weight.

The GT 63 S is simply beautiful, lined with leather and radiating like a Louis Vuitton steam chest. Most importantly, of course, these two rear seats – and I'm happy to report they are spacious. A set of available executive rear seats includes a center console with touch-screen infotainment and climate controls, a wireless cell phone charger and even a temperature-controlled cup holder. The package also allows the rear seats to fold towards the front, thus increasing the trunk space.

On the front, the GT 63 S features two huge 12.3-inch color displays with a choice of three modes: Classic, Sport and Supersport – which adds additional performance information and, most importantly, a change of high speed thanks to aluminum wheel pallets. flashing red light when approaching the speed limit. The steering wheel is a beautiful three-spoke design with a flat bottom. It also sports "display buttons" which are in fact tiny touch screens capable of displaying different icons depending on the function used. Without removing any hand from the steering wheel, the driver can control everything from the infotainment system to the preferred driving mode. And if you want to channel your interior Lewis Hamilton, each 4-door GT comes standard with an AMG Track Pace pack that, when driving on a racetrack, displays over 80 data, ranging from g loads to times ranging from 0 to 60 mph. In addition, the system can record lap times and sector, and allow drivers to analyze their driving performance in the stands.

On the road, the GT 63 S is refined and incredibly quiet, with no noticeable wind noise. Even in Sport mode, driving remains fluid and comfortable, never turning when the road is broken. As you can imagine, with 664 ft-lbs of faucets, the car moves the lights and steep slopes effortlessly, the nine-speed transmission shifts the torque into perfectly distributed pieces. The information is well displayed and easy to read, although the interface can be difficult to use (the central touchpad is too delicate and difficult to navigate, especially on the move). If you like hanging out in the nightclubs, you'll love the bright strip of colored light that runs through the doors and the dashboard.

It's on the track, though, that the GT 63 S really shows its mettle. By launching the 3.4-mile, 20-lap COTA circuit, which hosted the US Formula 1 Grand Prix, I started in Sport + mode, behind the German driver (and winner of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring 2018). no time wasted getting up quickly. For a Gran Turismo luxuriously lined with leather, the 63 S is doing well. The acceleration is fierce although it is completely composed, the 4Matic + system switching off the power transparently. At the end of the 0.62 mile straight, the 63 S was approaching 160 mph; Fortunately, the brakes are huge composite disks, ventilated and perforated with fixed calipers with 6 pistons in the front. At no point during our break-in session, they even let us guess a sign of fade.

AMG had not yet finalized the empty weight at the press conference, but it is fair to say that the GT 63 S is not a featherweight, despite an intensive use of aluminum and fiberglass. carbon in the structure mainly steel. Yet, it turns harshly cornering, with little understeer, and displays impressive self-control during transient maneuvers (especially welcome when traveling through COTA high-speed petrol). The feeling of steering is excellent, well balanced and offers a useful return of the load when cornering. During one lap, I switched to race mode and, appropriately, the 63 S seemed to relax, the tail becoming much brighter and the steering seeming to accelerate. I could still feel the stability system intervening if I was too heavy at the gas outlet.

The price is yet to come, but a base sticker of around $ 150,000 for the well-equipped GT 63 S places it roughly at par with the Panamera Turbo and slightly above the Maserati Quattroporte GTS powered back. It's expensive, yes, but this new AMG does it all: it's comfortable, beautifully appealing, endowed with every amenity imaginable, built like a safe and fast enough to identify the sports cars you can name. Now go and choose three lucky friends.