MERCEDES-AMG GT S COUPE Test Drive

The all-new Mercedes-AMG GT S coupe has become the new standard bearer for the AMG brand as the venerable SLS has been recently retired. The GT S coupe slots better with the new direction of AMG as it is less expensive than the SLS which I have driven and has a smaller engine which has found its way into other models in different configurations. As an entirely new machine which does not lean on legacy like the 300SL Gullwing-inspired SLS or the scion of a partnership like the SLR, the GTS is an animal entirely on its own with the ability to forge its own path and do battle with other supercars solely on its merits.

Battling other supercars is not a chore for the GT S. With a 4.0L V-8 biturbo engine with direct injection you get 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque from a hand-crafted, proudly signed engine made from the finest craftsmen in the automotive industry. From this engine you get an exhaust note that is the sweetest symphony to the ears of a gearhead and many stopped me on my travels as I spent my birthday week with this exotic beauty.

The rich, robust timbre of the exhaust note is adjustable on the GT S, but the exhaust note is not the only thing you can adjust. You can change suspension settings to either Comfort, Sport, or Sport+. The AMG GT S is an absolute marvel in a wonderfully sculpted lightweight piece of metal and the design of the white model I drove drew attention everywhere I went around the DC metropolitan area and on Interstate 70 and 76 nearby. The rich browns of the interior were warm and inviting and the stitching and craftsmanship did not disappoint. There were carbon fiber accents added everywhere and my 6-foot tall 200-lb plus frame was at ease in this beast, making it a comfortable daily driver. The wheels were staggered so you get 19-inch in the front and 20-inch in the back. You also get several safety features and technologies including a special touchpad controller for the multimedia system and USB connectors to connect USB-compatible devices or play USBs as I did of an indie artist from the 90”s I’m familiar with, Da Great Deity Dah. The Burmester sound system was as promised, delivering studio-quality sound.

Other technologies such as Collision Prevention Assist, Adaptive Brake Assist, Attention Assist, and Lane Keeping Assist (as part of the Lane Tracking Package) were on tap to preserve the well-being of this beauty. You also get mbrace telematics, but that’s not why you buy the GT S. You want to hear horses prance, to hear the engine roar, to feel the seats hug your frame, to have onlookers envy, and to attain status. For my birthday week, the GT S excelled in all areas and gave me more than I bargained for. For most, the 4.0L V-8 can be found in other AMG models, but they are not configured the same, as Branden Coté explains in our exclusive interview. The GT S costs $129,900 but with the some of the options I mentioned as part of the available equipment and value added packages included, the model I drove came delivered at $158,125. For more information, visit www.mbusa.com or better, visit your local dealer and ask to test drive any 4.0L V-8 AMG.