In the words of Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers: “There are times when only two doors isn’t so great”. Justifying the existence of the new Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door, this is the solution for those who demand the driving dynamics of AMG’s flagship GT coupe, but in a more practical package.
You might assume that the AMG E 63 fulfils that role, while the CLS serves the four-door coupe brief. But the new 4-door is an AMG-exclusive model, and there won’t be a regular Mercedes variant. It packs plenty of AMG tech, from the rear-wheel steering to its active aero.
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In GT 63 S form, it’s the most powerful Mercedes on sale. Packing the same 4.0-litre V8 as the E 63, power swells to 630bhp. A 577bhp non-S 63 will also be available, but Mercedes has yet to confirm whether the hybrid GT 53 will be sold in the UK. The GT 43 won’t be.
All 4-door models use a nine-speed automatic gearbox, and the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive set-up predominantly sends its power to the rear wheels, transferring torque to the front when traction is required. The S covers 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds and matches the GT C coupe’s 196mph top speed.
The coupe’s platform wasn’t suitable for the demands of a four-seat layout, so instead the 4-door sits on the E-Class’s MRA chassis. It has been strengthened using aluminium, carbon fibre and high-strength steel to deliver a stiffer platform for higher performance.
AMG’s usual Dynamic Select drive modes are bolstered here by AMG Dynamics, which continuously monitors and adjusts various parameters, including the four-wheel steering, suspension and engine, changing how the car behaves. This is particularly true of the GT’s Race mode, with the option to disengage the ESP and activate the self-explanatory Drift Mode.
Initially at least, the GT 4-door feels much like an E 63. You get the same mischievous background rumble and endless surge from the boisterous V8, as well as similar levels of refinement. The ride quality feels similar, too, with a familiar firm edge over sharper bumps. Disappointingly, it misses out on the coupe’s low-slung seating position.
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Elsewhere, the steering is ultra-direct. The huge reserves of front-end grip, aided by the rear-wheel steering, quickly goad you into carrying more and more speed into each corner. The GT’s agility, particularly in quick direction changes, is remarkable. So are its brakes.
In quicker corners, the chassis gives you huge confidence and impressive feedback, and it’s not long before you switch to Race mode and relax the stability control; few cars with this level of performance are so benign. Yet it’s as entertaining and expressive as an AMG should be, and while its mass takes its toll on the tyres and brakes, it feels closer in spirit to the AMG GT coupe than it does the E 63 saloon.
Given the more practical brief, it’s unsurprising that some of the coupe’s dramatic proportions have been lost in translation with the 4-door. Side on, there’s more than a hint of Porsche Panamera, but viewed from the front or rear the Mercedes identity is clearer.
Inside, the dash is similar to other recent Mercedes models, with a large dual-screen display and jet-style air vents. The other difference is behind you: two individual seats (a three-seat bench is optional) and a spacious boot.
- Model: Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4-door
- Price: £135,000 (est)
- Engine: 4.0-litre V8 turbo
- Power/torque: 630bhp/900Nm
- Transmission: Nine-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 3.2 seconds
- Top speed: 196mph
- Economy/CO2: 25.0mpg/257g/km
- On sale: October
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