2021 Mercedes AMG GT Review AMG GT Coupe Models CarBuzz

2021 Mercedes AMG GT Review AMG GT Coupe Models CarBuzz

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2021 Mercedes-AMG GT

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2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Review AMG At Its Best

by Gerhard Horn The 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT is the best example of what the AMG division can do when given a blank cheque. This twin-turbo V8 coupe beast was not the division's first attempt at building a standalone car, however. That accolade belongs to the bonkers SLS, which remains the most veracious interpretation of an AMG, but only in the sense that it had too much power. Which in AMG-speak translates to just enough. The SLS's lifespan was short-lived, and though Mercedes-AMG will never admit it, chances are it was simply too ridiculous. The AMG GT replaces the SLS, but takes a new direction. It brings less power to the table, with 523 horsepower in base form from a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, and gone are the gullwing doors. Instead, this has an air of finesse about the design and engineering, which is just as well, since its number one competitor is the Porsche 911.

Read in this review

Exterior Design 10 /10 Performance 9 /10 Fuel Economy 7 /10 Interior & Cargo 10 /10 Infotainment & Features 9 /10 Reliability 8 /10 Safety 9 /10 Value For Money 9 /10 8.9 What is BuzzScore?

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Changes What s the difference vs 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT

The GT gets some rather stunning upgrades for 2021. The GT's power output is increased to 523 hp and 494 lb-ft, finally taking it above that 500 hp psychological barrier. This means the base model can now sprint to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and on a top speed of 194 mph. AMG Ride Control with adaptive damping is now standard fitment, including a "Race" drive mode. The 2021 GT also has red aluminum brake calipers and an electronic limited-slip rear differential. A Stealth Edition has been added to the roster as well, with bespoke styling elements comprising blacked-out brakes, wheels, front grille, a carbon fiber roof, and three stealthy black or grey paint options.

Pros and Cons

Powerful twin-turbo V8Supercar-like accelerationSuperb handling dynamicsStunning looksBeautiful interior Lot's of road noisePoor outward visibilityRivals are quickerSusceptible to tramlining

Best Deals on 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe $143,991 4,288 miles See All AMG GT For Sale

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Trims

See trim levels and configurations: Trim Engine Transmission Drivetrain Price (MSRP) AMG GT Coupe 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas 7-Speed Automatic Rear-Wheel Drive $118,600 AMG GT C Coupe 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 Gas 7-Speed Automatic Rear-Wheel Drive $153,500 See All 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Trims and Specs

Handling and Driving Impressions

Compared to the SLS, the GT is a revelation. The former had a rather rudimentary traction control system and would simply cut the power. So you turned it off, and it would refuse to drive in a straight line. The SLS was so much of a handful that AMG had to dial back the track-focused model's torque. The AMG GT is a beast of a sports car but much easier to tame. Both models now come with AMG Ride Control as standard. In addition to that, you get Dynamic Select and three-stage traction control. Comfort is for everyday cruising, while Sport allows you to hustle with all the safety nannies on. Sport+ opens all the valves in the exhaust system, puts the damping in its firmest setting, and reduces the hydraulic power steering assistance. In Race mode (standard from 2021, the stability control is switched to sport handling mode, which is a fancy way of saying it will let you slide around a bit but keep you from killing yourself. The brakes are mighty, offering tremendous stopping power, but getting used to the dimensions is the trickiest part of the GT driving experience. The car's front feels a mile away, and it's disconcerting sitting so close to the rear axle. Once you get used to it, you'll notice how beautifully the wide track and sticky tires work together. It attacks corners with confidence and provides loads of feedback via the steering wheel. This alleviates many of the stresses related to the front being so far away because you at least know what it's doing. One could easily live with the GT daily, which, to us at least, makes it a better car. Yes, the SLS provided a savage driving experience, and there is a particular time and place for that, but the GT competes in a segment where the competitors need to do it all. You can't go up against the mighty Porsche 911 with "going sideways is fun" as a unique selling point. Sadly, the GT falls short of the 911's levels of comfort and composure, and instead of adjusting to the road surface, it tries to beat it into submission, something it doesn't always succeed in doing. Now Buzzing Electric Vehicles Tesla Cybertruck Spotted With Production-Ready Rear End Crash Watch A Seventh-Gen Toyota Hilux Truck Launch Into The Air After Losing Control Auctions One-Off Plymouth Barracuda Four-Door Is A Muscle Car Unicorn First Drive 2023 Toyota Crown First Drive Review: A Tale Of Two Hybrids Sports Cars 2023 BMW M2 Coming With Optional Center-Lock Wheels Tuning 700-Horsepower 2023 Nissan Z By AMS Performance Hits Nine-Second Quarter Mile

Verdict Is the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT a good car

There's this belief that AMG was finally allowed to let its hair down with the GT. Other AMG products have to fulfill multiple roles, while the GT has the simple task of being the most AMG model. In other words, the perfect storm of speed, brutality, noise, and pantomime. Erm, no. That was what the SLS was, and look how that worked out. Perfect car, if you were a suicidal nihilist. And let's not forget, the SLS was a $200k plus car. The GT competes in the 911 bracket. It's called that because the 911 is the yardstick by which all other cars in the segment are measured, much like large luxury saloons are measured against the S-Class. To even be considered a competitor, the GT has to be comfortable enough for daily driving yet savage sufficient to provide the kind of thrills you expect when paying more than $100k for anything. Like a $100,000 boat or $100k worth of cocaine. The AMG GT has a firm ride and trunk space is limited, but it managed to build quite a 911 competitor in every other area. And the engineers did so without losing too much of what made the SLS so epic, like the brutal soundtrack and the beautiful long-hood design.

Check out other Mercedes-Benz AMG GT Styles

AMG GT Black Series Compare AMG GT R Compare AMG GT Roadster Compare AMG GT R Roadster Compare

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Comparisons

Porsche

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT vs Lexus LC Coupe

The Lexus LC is a compelling alternative to the GT. They are very alike in some ways, completely different in others. First, all the things Lexus gets right. It's more affordable than the GT. We know at this level affordability doesn't factor in, but $20,000 is a huge saving. As a cruiser, the Lexus is more accomplished. Yes, you lose some of the more entertaining handling characteristics, but the upside is a ride that's silky smooth and an interior that's much nicer than the Merc's. The Lexus may have a smaller 5.4 cube trunk, but it has unusable rear seats where you can also put some luggage. Engine-wise it has a 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8. It's not as fast, with the 0 to 60 mph sprint taking 4.4 seconds. However, that's only half the story. When it comes to character, the 5.0 is more than a match for the twin-turbo V8. If anything, it sounds even better. And it's not a fake noise either. It's real induction noise, visceral and angry. The AMG offers a better driving experience as a sports coupe, but the Lexus is a better daily car. It's too close to call and we recommend you drive both to find out which one suits your particular needs best. See Lexus LC Coupe Review

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT vs Porsche 911 Carrera

The 911 Carrera range is four models strong, but for the same price as the Mercedes, you can buy an S or a 4S. Both models have the same twin-turbo six-cylinder powertrain delivering 443 hp, which seems silly compared to the GT. Still, the 911 makes better use of its power, as it can sprint to 60 mph in a blistering 3.2 seconds. This is for a 4S AWS model with the optional Sports Chrono Package included. That's not even the best part. The 911's secret to success has always been its split personality. It's light, luxuriously equipped, relatively spacious, and easy to see out of. A 911 is no harder to drive than a Hyundai Accent. And somehow, it can also provide the kind of driving experience many manufacturers have tried and failed to replicate. The 911 is as good as sports cars get. Still, there's an argument to be made for the GT, if only because it's so wonderful to look at, and its V8 gives it a charming bravado. Some people will buy it simply because it's not a 911, therefore not the obvious choice. The unfortunate truth for Mercedes is that the 911 is hands down the best car. But we completely understand why somebody would rather have a Mercedes-AMG GT - after all, sports cars are an emotional buying decision. See Porsche 911 Carrera Review

2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Popular Comparisons

The most popular competitors of 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT: BMW i8 Coupe $147,500 Price (MSRP) Compare BMW M4 CS $103,100 Price (MSRP) Compare Jaguar F-Type SVR Coupe $123,600 Price (MSRP) Compare Aston Martin Vantage Coupe $142,086 - $165,086 Price (MSRP) Compare Jaguar F-Type R Coupe $103,200 Price (MSRP) Compare Lexus RC F $66,220 - $101,095 Price (MSRP) Compare Mercedes-AMG S63 Coupe $173,100 Price (MSRP) Compare Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 $101,200 Price (MSRP) Compare Porsche 911 Carrera $101,200 - $144,000 Price (MSRP) Compare See All 9 Comparisons

Mercedes-AMG GT News

Industry News 2 Buying A New Mercedes Or Kia Is A Hugely Satisfying Experience The Kia K5 and Mercedes G-Wagon are amongst the category winners in a recent study on the quality of new cars. Rumor 5 Time Is Running Out To Buy A Mercedes-AMG GT Haven't ordered one yet? It could be too late. Technology 6 Mercedes Has A New App To Help Recover Stolen Cars This is a brilliant idea. LoginSign Up Home News Features Car Reviews Car Advice 2021 CarBuzz Awards New Cars Used Cars Future Cars Compare Cars Sell My Car Car Dealerships Buy Here Pay Here Used Car Reviews Popular Tags Cars # Video # TOP # Spy Shots # Reveal # Rumor # Auto Show # Supercar # Tuning # Car Culture # Industry News # Motorsport Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Make Acura Alfa Romeo Aston Martin Audi Bentley BMW Bollinger Bugatti Buick Cadillac Caterham Chevrolet Chrysler Dodge Ferrari Fiat Fisker Ford Genesis GMC Hennessey Honda Hyundai Infiniti Jaguar Jeep Karma Kia Koenigsegg Lamborghini Land Rover Lexus Lincoln Lordstown Lotus Lucid Motors Maserati Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Mini Mitsubishi Nissan Pagani Polestar Porsche Ram Rimac Rivian Rolls-Royce Spyker Subaru Tesla Toyota Volkswagen Volvo By Car Type SUVs Crossovers Sedans Coupes Trucks Sports Cars Wagons Vans Hatchbacks Convertibles Small Cars Luxury Cars Electric Cars Hybrid Cars Future Cars By Price Up to $15K $15K - $25K $25K - $35K $35K - $45K $45K - $55K $55K - $75K $75K - $100K $100K - $200K $200K - $300K Above $300K Back To Top
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