Excessive up within the Sierra Nevada mountains exterior of Granada, Spain, within the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63, I’m within the exterior lane of this twisty street with a drop of what appears like one million toes to my proper. Whereas I’m toasty with my heated and massaging seats on full blast, ambient temperatures are dropping and I’m shortly approaching the clouds. Rattling it, I got here all the way in which over right here to expertise the glory of a mountain street in a fancy-pants GT automotive. As a substitute mom nature has given me fog, rain, and near-freezing temperatures. 

The second technology of the two-door GT is expounded to the present SL Roadster and takes its cues from the gorgeous gullwing SLS of 2010-2015. It’s a whopping 7.1 inches longer this time round, with almost three inches of additional wheelbase, so as to add a small second row. With fully new, lighter weight physique panels, a handmade AMG twin-turbo V-8 beneath the hood, and loads of cutting-edge know-how, the newest GT seeks to enhance on the gorgeous dealing with and beauty of its predecessor whereas altering from a two-seater to a 2+2. Nonetheless, I depart my first drive of the smooth German fare a bit confused about what the GT is meant to be.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63: Hips don’t lie

I’m completely sure, nonetheless, that the GT is a stunner. With curvy hips, an extended dash-to-axle ratio, and a rear finish to die for, it cuts a high-quality jib by means of the streets of Grenada. Pedestrians cease to take footage and locals within the mountain cities jokingly attempt to hitch a trip. Drivers can go for a Chrome or Evening Package deal so as to add a little bit of character to any of the 11 paint colours or go for efficiency upgrades with the Carbon Fiber or Aerodynamic packages. A big selection of 20- or 21-inch wheels spherical out the design decisions.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63

From behind the wheel, I really like the way it appears like I’m sporting the automotive, not simply sitting in it. The door panels mix seamlessly into the sprint, highlighted in contrast stitching. A big 11.9-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen is operating the newest MBUX infotainment software program. The house button opens the big navigation display with smaller tiles for different frequent capabilities, but it is nonetheless straightforward to get to the menus for local weather controls, music, and the like. 

The normal aviation cockpit-inspired styling is right here as nicely, with turbine-style air vents flanking the 12.3-inch configurable gauge cluster. I’ve at all times beloved the retro-chic of Mercedes interiors, and the GT doesn’t disappoint.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63: Now with all-wheel drive

In terms of dealerships within the first half of 2024, the coupe might be obtainable in GT 55 or GT 63 guise, each outfitted with 4Matic+ all-wheel drive, a 9-speed computerized transmission, and a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8. The GT 55, which I don’t get to pattern, places out a decent 469 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. Nonetheless, my tester goes huge with 577 ponies and 590 lb-ft. That’s sufficient to scoot from a cease to 60 mph in a Mercedes-estimated 3.1 seconds, on its approach to a high velocity of 196 mph. Yowza!

Though I hit a little bit of foul climate within the GT, I nonetheless get a style of what it may well ship over my two-day take a look at drive. I draw the quick finish of the stick on day one and my time within the twisties is hampered by the truth that the route is simply a lane and a half large. I’m not about to go hammering round blind corners in a automotive that probably prices 4 instances as a lot as my graduate stage schooling. 

My drive associate, nonetheless, will get a bit of street that’s completely bitchin’. He’s fast and assured, pushing the automotive in Sport+ mode. Whereas Race is the highest driving mode, Sport+ nonetheless quickens the throttle, holds gears longer, and corporations up the suspension whereas loosening the nannies. That is the place the variable all-wheel drive shines, throwing all of the torque to the rear or splitting it evenly between the entrance and the rear for finest outcomes.

Even from the passenger seat, it’s nice enjoyable, however I can inform he has to make a whole lot of mid-corner steering corrections. The automotive has variable-ratio energy steering that’s its quickest at 14.4:1 on lifeless heart. It additionally has variable help. The steering ratio adjustments because the wheel is turned, which may be mid-corner, and it’s unnerving for him behind the wheel to have to regulate on the fly.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63: Consolation-ish

My time on day one is relatively staid, although it permits me to judge the automotive for its potential as a grand tourer. In any case, a GT automotive ought to be straightforward to drive for lengthy distances, proper? Right here the Mercedes delivers, however not in each approach. Consolation mode is available in with gentle steering, informal shifts, and a barely muted throttle, however the suspension, whereas composed, is way from snug. I get that the AMG GT 63 is a efficiency automotive and I don’t count on it to ever trip like Grandma’s Cadillac, however a bit extra cushion in Consolation mode could be good.

Additional, the elective Efficiency seats are hella uncomfortable. I personal a automotive with racing seats, and I perceive that including lightness means sacrificing consolation, however I wouldn’t need to drive up the California coast for a day with my hindquarters squeezed into these unhealthy boys. In case you worth your again and bottom, don’t spring for these seats. Mercedes additionally sacrificed a quiet cabin to avoid wasting a little bit of weight. There may be loads of street and wind noise within the AMG GT.

The excellent news on the touring entrance is the spacious cargo maintain. It has nearly 24 cubic toes of area within the rear hatch, greater than what’s behind the rear seats within the firm’s GLE SUV. You would match 4 individuals’s gear again there with room to spare. Nonetheless, the rear-seat riders probably received’t be snug, as the brand new rear seat isn’t appropriate for individuals over 5-feet tall.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63: My flip within the twisties

Someday two I snag a automotive and head out to the mountains alone. This time I’ve the usual seats, that are far more snug and include a massaging operate as luxurious GT seats ought to. I throw the automotive into Sport mode and let her rip.

Energy supply right here is exceptional. Turbo lag? By no means heard of her. Sloppy shifts? Nope, I’ve not had the displeasure. As a substitute, I get a transmission that downshifts on braking with some “pop bang” from the exhaust so as to add pleasure. Mercedes gives paddle shifters, however this transmission does rather well by itself, changing the regular stream of energy from the engine into propulsion on the wheels. It’s wonderful.

A limited-slip rear differential places the facility down effectively and rear wheels that steer as much as 2.5 levels enhance agility at low speeds and stability at increased speeds, however I don’t count on the large quantity of grip. Positive the automotive is sporting large 295/30R21 entrance and 305/40R21 rear Michelin Pilot Sport S5 tires, however the grip stage nonetheless blows my thoughts. It’s all due to an underbody aerodynamics system that retains the automotive planted and steady by sort of sucking it to the bottom. A classy hydraulic anti-roll system additionally retains the automotive remarkably flat in corners. This marvel replaces a mechanical anti-roll bar, pushing the exact quantity of oil essential to the skin nook. It reduces physique roll, positive, but additionally maximizes grip to the nth diploma.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63

All this {hardware} lets me brake later and with much less drive earlier than turns with out scaring myself shitless, though I admit I by no means totally belief the GT throughout my quick drive. Each nook is met with the thought, “You’ve performed it now, Corridor. You’re going approach too quick and also you’re going to drive off the mountain.” It by no means occurs. I’m getting into corners quicker than I ever have on the road and residing to inform the story.

I do not expertise the identical mid-corner steering points my associate had the day past. I’m not fairly as fast and I spend most of my time in Sport mode, not Sport+, which could have one thing to do with how jittery the steering is likely to be. In case you’re a driver who likes to manhandle a automotive round a flip at 9 tenths, it is likely to be one thing to look out for. In case your type retains it round 7 or 8 tenths you probably will not have to fret. 

Besides I do scare myself as soon as. Making use of the brakes at 75 mph or so earlier than getting into a 90-degree right-hand flip, the automotive will get nervous and squirrelly. I’m undecided why as I’m on dry, easy pavement, I’m not including any steering enter, and I haven’t utilized the brakes any in a different way than I did within the myriad of different corners I’ve tackled over the previous 48 hours. Regardless, it is not repeatable. Possibly the soundness management detected a problem. I’ll chalk it as much as the GT reminding me who’s the boss.

As for my time within the fog and mist on the highest elevations within the Sierra Nevadas, it’s the primary time I get to pattern Slippery mode in any Mercedes product. Even with the summer season tires it retains the automotive in examine with a muted throttle, a decreased torque curve, and the digital nannies at most. I probably wouldn’t be so cautious in my very own automotive, however once more, when you had the keys to a ridiculously costly luxurious automotive, you’d be cautious too.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63

Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63: So, what’s it?

I come away from my drive simply not fairly positive what the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 is meant to be. It’s undoubtedly a efficiency automotive—it’s an AMG in any case—nevertheless it doesn’t have the identical cushy-at-the-press-of-a-button high quality as different touring automobiles available on the market. In case you’re high-quality with that, then by all means, spend your cash. You received’t be disenchanted.

With the addition of all-wheel drive, the brand new GT conjures up far more confidence than the earlier rear-wheel drive automotive. Do not get me fallacious, it is nonetheless a automotive you must respect behind the wheel, however with energy obtainable to the entrance wheels drivers can get on the throttle a contact earlier when exiting corners. And hey, if you end up on a chilly and wet mountain high, all-wheel drive helps make sure you’ll get again down.

Nonetheless, if you wish to be insulated from the skin world in an opulent trip after you’ve had your high-speed, corner-carving enjoyable, the AMG GT 63 in all probability isn’t your jam. Wish to be cocooned in quiet luxurious? Attempt wanting on the Bentley Continental GT. In case you’re on the lookout for a Japanese tackle long-distance motoring, you possibly can do worse than the Lexus LC500. Need 4 doorways and an actual again seat? The Porsche Panamera GTS ought to be in your shortlist.

Mercedes has not but divulged pricing for the 2024 AMG GT 63, however we count on it to start out round $130,000 and it’ll probably attain near $200,000 as soon as choices are added.

Mercedes-Benz paid for journey and lodging for Motor Authority to carry you this firsthand report.