2024 AMG GT Coupe - Ready for a 'sports car king' Rematch?

Performance weds practicality. In 2015, Mercedes-AMG announced the first generation AMG GT Coupe, a sports car intended to give industry stalwarts like the Porsche 911 a run for their money. During Monterey Car Week, they announced the successor to that, the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé. All grown up, this second generation of the AMG sports car has better performance, larger dimensions, improved comfort, and is more practical. Since the first generation didn't exactly beat the 911, is this version ready for a 'Sports Car King' rematch?

Engine

AMG's 4.0-liter biturbo V8 engine is on duty here. Offered in two flavors, GT 63 and GT 55, the former produces a staggering 577 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque of torque while the latter delivers a still respectable 469 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

A newly developed nine-speed automatic transmission dubbed SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G works harmoniously with the powertrain, sending all horses to each of the four wheels. Specifically tailored to the AMG GT Coupe, it comes with 'extremely short shift times' and replaces the torque converter with a wet start-off clutch for weight savings. This results in optimized response times to commands from the gas pedal.

Okay, but what about actual performance? I hear you ask. Yes, the second-generation Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé is pretty rapid. The GT 55 goes from 0 to 60mph in just 3.8 seconds, maxing out at 183 mph. The more robust GT 63 variant will do 0 to 60 mph in a more impressive 3.1 seconds and top out at 196 mph.

Engineered to feel at home on the track and highways, both versions come with six drive modes: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport +, Individual, and RACE. Other notable additions include active rear-axle steering, AMG's high-performance composite braking system, and AMG TRACK PACE, a data logger for use on the race track.

Exterior Design

Mercedes' iconic grille is deeper and wider in this case, creating a mean and more aggressive profile. The lower intake, spanning the entire width, adds to the drama and grandeur of the front, while bespoke headlights are present to remind us of the car's AMG roots.

The silhouette of the GT coupe has been updated, too, with a revamped design to accommodate the new and optional 2+2 seating arrangement. A longer wheelbase, short overhangs, and a sharply angled windshield that gives the car a deceivingly compact appearance define the coupe's stature. The side profile is characterized by smooth curves and surfaces along with light-alloy wheels which, in AMG's words, "emphasize power and dynamics."

At the back, an active spoiler seamlessly adjusts to the car's speed, optimizing aerodynamics and enhancing stability during high-speed maneuvers. LED taillights with a three-dimensional "light dots" signature, an updated rear diffuser, and twin tailpipes complete a cleaner but more aggressive look at the back.

Interior Design

The story is quite similar on the inside, where there's a lot more space for humans (up to four) and cargo. Black with red accents is the palette of choice, while Nappa leather and MICROCUT microfibre fittings are generously used. A glorious digital instrument cluster, an 11-inch multimedia touchscreen, seats with integrated headrests, and an AMG performance steering wheel are key highlights.

While pricing remains under wraps, the new-generation Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe is rumored to hit showrooms in the first half of 2024.