Mercedes-Benz Korea recently tested the AMG GT Series 2nd generation "The New Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 55 4MATIC+" (AMG GT 2nd generation) at the Everland Speedway Circuit in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. The complete overhaul of the AMG GT series came about nearly 10 years after the introduction of the first generation model in 2015.
The AMG GT 2nd generation showcased the powerful sound and driving performance characteristic of the Mercedes-Benz high-performance brand, AMG. The vehicle responded agilely to even a slight press on the accelerator pedal, while its heavy body and stable steering assisted in providing a secure driving experience.
Although the body is not large, its appearance gives a glamorous and robust impression. The overall silhouette follows the "Long Nose Short Deck" shape commonly seen in high-performance sports cars, featuring a long hood and a short trunk. The two-door design and a rear spoiler mounted on the trunk enhance the agility and dynamism while reducing air resistance.
Sitting in the driver's seat feels like the seat envelops the body. Initially, it felt somewhat stiff and constraining, but once driving began, it provided a sense of stability. The rear seats are uncomfortable to get in and out of due to the two-door design, and the space itself appears limited, making it less practical. The trunk capacity has been expanded to 675 liters, nearly double that of the transfer generation.
As soon as the engine started and the accelerator pedal was pressed, a deep rumbling exhaust sound and vibrations filled the vehicle's interior. It was similar to the sound of popping popcorn. While this added to the fun of driving on the circuit, it could become a loud and burdensome noise on regular roads.
A slight press on the accelerator pedal instantly increased the speed, closing the comfortable distance with the car ahead. Given the circuit driving characteristics, multiple vehicles must maintain a fixed distance while driving, requiring frequent acceleration and deceleration. Thanks to the vehicle's agile response, driving was easy.
However, the heavy body and the fact that it sticks closely to the road contributed to experiencing shocks and vibrations akin to scraping the ground, even on well-maintained circuits. The firm and rugged driving feel adds to the excitement of driving along with the explosive sound, but it is far from a comfortable ride.
Cornering was easy due to its tight grip on the ground. The vehicle smoothly navigated the curves without rolling or sliding even without reducing speed. According to Mercedes-Benz, this is due to features like Active Roll Stabilization and rear axle steering that supports up to 2.5 degrees of rear steering.
The combination of the 8-cylinder engine and the 9-speed transmission mounted in the AMG GT 2nd generation delivers a maximum output of 476 horsepower and maximum torque of 71.4 kgf·m. The time it takes to accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h is 3.9 seconds. This performance is referred to internally at Mercedes-Benz as a "street legal race car."
Mercedes-Benz Korea will begin customer deliveries of the AMG GT 2nd generation model starting this month. The selling price is 205.6 million won (including value-added tax and special consumption tax), while the Launch Edition, limited to 10 units, is priced at 236.6 million won. A high-performance plug-in hybrid (PHEV) model, "GT 63 S E Performance," is also expected to be launched within this year.