A STAR IS BORN - Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupe
AMG’s latest super sedan is their most potent weapon yet, and it is ready for landing
There was once a time when the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series was the most powerful AMG you could buy, with 464kw and 635nm from its naturally-aspirated 6.2-litre V8. And that was just six short years ago! Nowadays, the most powerful AMG isn’t a hard-core super car - it’s a four-door coupe.
This is the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S and it is the first 'sedan' wholly developed by AMG. Under its hood is the same 4.0-litre biturbo V8 as the C63, E63 and the AMG GT R, but in this application, it’s been dialled up to 11, with the four-door coupe boasting an incredible 470kw and 900nm - trouncing BMW's M5 Competition's 460kw and 750nm.
The GT63 S is actually the most powerful Mercedes-Benz currently available, and much like the E63 S, it features a 9-speed transmission and an AMG-tuned 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system, that helps it rocket from 0-100kph in just 3.2 seconds, and will it keep accelerating hard until it reaches 315kph - comfortably beating the M5 Competition's 3.3 second and 305kph top speed.
The GT63 S is both minutely longer and wider than both the E63 S and M5 at just over 5 metres long and 1.9 metres wide, and registers a weight almost identical to the nearly 2.1 ton E63 S. It’s important to remember that the AMG GT63 S competes against the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid and the upcoming Audi RS7 and BMW M8 Gran Coupe.
However, due to its dimensions, layout, and seating capacity; by default, this makes it an M5 rival. Let’s not forget that the GT63 S is also the fastest "four-seater" to ever lap the Nürburgring - thanks to a lap time of 7:25:41.
While the overseas line-up of the AMG GT 4-door Coupe consists of four models - GT43, GT53, GT63 and GT63 S, South Africa will be getting only two variants – the 320kw hybridized GT53 and the epic 470kw GT63 S, priced at R1 960 958 and R2 922 30 respectively.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa plan to launch it locally in the coming weeks. For reference, the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid Executive it rivals is priced at R3 134 000 and produces 500kw and 850nm from its hybridized 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.
Also worth a look: the Mercedes-AMG A Class and the Mercedes-AMG G Class.
FAQ
Q: What does the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupe cost in South Africa?
The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door Coupe starts from around R2,800,000 for the GT53 hybrid variant, while the flagship GT63 S will set you back approximately R3,500,000, making it one of the priciest four-door performance cars you can buy locally.
Q: Is the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S worth buying over the BMW M5 Competition?
The GT63 S delivers more power at 470kW versus the M5's 460kW, plus it's faster to 100kph at 3.2 seconds and holds the four-door Nurburgring lap record, but you'll pay a premium of around R400,000 over the M5 for these bragging rights.
Q: How fast is the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S compared to other super sedans?
The GT63 S rockets from 0-100kph in just 3.2 seconds and tops out at 315kph, making it quicker than the BMW M5 Competition's 3.3 seconds and 305kph, though the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid still edges it slightly on acceleration.
Q: Which Mercedes-AMG GT 4-door variants are available in South Africa?
South Africa only gets two variants of the AMG GT 4-door Coupe, the 320kW GT53 hybrid and the range-topping 470kW GT63 S, while overseas markets get four different models including the entry-level GT43.
Should You Buy It?
The best four-door super sedan under R4,000,000 in SA is undoubtedly the Mercedes-AMG GT63 S at R3,500,000. Yes, you should buy it if you want the ultimate bragging rights and have deep pockets. This AMG monster delivers 470kW and 900Nm, making it more powerful than anything BMW or Audi currently offers, plus it holds the four-door Nurburgring lap record to back up its performance claims. However, if you're budget-conscious, the BMW M5 Competition at around R3,100,000 offers 95% of the performance for significantly less money. The GT63 S is the choice for those who demand the absolute best and aren't afraid to pay for exclusivity.
