If there is one thing beyond doubt when it comes to the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 it is that it demands attention immediately.
It looks simply sensational and it sounds like the world is ending when you fire it up. The bright electric blue exterior and unnecessarily white interior of our test car just screams at you, in a visual sense that is, while its price tag is equally eye-watering - $349,900.
For that, however, you get a stunning machine housing a 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 engine that pumps out a simply monstrous 430kW of power and 800Nm of torque.
As mentioned, aesthetically, the GT 63 is an absolute triumph; it is just an incredibly good-looking car, following the lineage of the original GT while incorporating Mercedes’ current styling. I really cannot emphasise enough how good it does look in the metal, even if I don’t personally care for the blue paint finish, and actively dislike the optional white interior, of our test car.
For that immense price, the standard equipment list is exhaustive; it basically comes with everything. This includes the AMG Dynamic Plus package, which gives you dynamic engine mounts, a Race drive mode, yellow AMG brake callipers, and an electronic rear axle locking differential.
The suspension is lowered by 10mm, and the AMG active ride control adjustable suspension setup is standard, as is the panoramic sunroof. You also get four-wheel steering, allowing the rear axle to turn when cornering, and of course, it’s all-wheel drive.
A notable update is that this current new version of the GT 63 is the first to adopt a two-plus-two seating configuration, making it more usable compared to the previous two-seater. Sort of; it’s still pretty cramped back there.
When it comes to performance, it probably won’t surprise you to hear that the GT 63 is truly brutal. It will accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in a blistering 3.2 seconds, hitting a top speed of 315km/h. And it sounds utterly spectacular doing it.
It is one of those cars that possesses so much grip that you can constantly push it harder and harder.
Handling is equally spectacular - even possibly more so - and throwing it down a tightly winding road is utterly addictively. The combination of all-wheel steering and all-wheel drive means it simply destroys corners and, despite being quite a large car, it is incredibly agile.
Mechanical grip feels almost endless, with any amount of silly throttle applications - even mid-corner - simply resulting in more brutal acceleration. It is one of those cars that possesses so much grip that you can constantly push it harder and harder.
There is also an immensely involving amount of feel and feedback from the car - something increasingly absent in modern performance machines - and it feels both immediately alive and surprisingly more compact than it actually is.
However, this spectacular performance and agility come with a massive compromise - the ride quality. Weirdly, the front end is perfectly fine; it’s compliant, firm, and sporty, but not unpleasant or crashy. But the rear is absolutely awful, in fact it is so harsh and crashy that it absolutely ruins the urban ride and makes living with the car on a daily basis quite a chore.
Yes, I am fully aware that a $350,000 V8 sports car is going to have a relatively firm ride, but this goes beyond that; it is unpleasantly intrusive and harsh. Something that a Porsche 911 is most certainly not.
The AMG GT 63 is a spectacular car, but the needlessly harsh rear suspension puts a massive dent in a vehicle that is otherwise flawlessly agile, brutally fast, and stunningly good looking.
The most bizarre part is that this harshness persists even when the suspension is set to its softest settings, and is a drawback that almost ruins the car, especially considering that in every other regard, it is thoroughly usable as a daily driver.
Inside, the cabin is beautifully put together and incredibly high quality. It features the latest Mercedes display options, a big central touchscreen, and the characteristic turbine circular vents. The layout is traditional, not deviating much from the previous car, though updated with modern equipment.
The touchscreen works incredibly well and is responsive, intuitive, and well laid out. In fact, my only criticism here is that it feels "too Mercedes" - in that it doesn't feel particularly special, even though it is.
Arguably the GT 63’s suspension and price add up to being its biggest problem - that price point puts you between a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (fractionally slower at 3.5 seconds to 100 km/h) and a 911 Carrera GTS (fractionally faster at 3.0 seconds), and either of those Porsches would be a far, far preferable daily driver over the AMG. That is both very surprising and very disappointing.
Then there is the fact that the GT 63 shares its platform and underpinnings with the Mercedes-Benz SL 63 Roadster. The SL 63 is more expensive, costing $361,900, but has the same power output (430kW), and there now doesn't seem to be a lot of difference between them, apart from the obvious fact that the GT has a roof.
However, the SL has a considerably superior ride. I would struggle with the decision to buy the GT over the more comfortable SL, unless the fixed roof is the sole motivation. Given that the SL actually has a really, really nice ride, I guess my ultimate recommendation would be to buy the SL instead. Which is not something I would ever find myself writing...
The AMG GT 63 is a spectacular car, but the needlessly harsh rear suspension puts a massive dent in a vehicle that is otherwise flawlessly agile, brutally fast, and stunningly good looking.
How much is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4Matic?
A hefty $349,900, which drops it it the heart of Porsche 911 territory and makes its life considerably harder.
What are the key statistics for the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4Matic?
The latest model has gone AWD with four wheel steering as well, while it has also sprouted two rear seats. At its heart, however, is the spectacular 430kW/800Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8 engine that sounds amazing and goes rather hard indeed.
Is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4Matic efficient?
Of course not, but no-one who buys one will care in the slightest.
Is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4Matic good to drive?
It depends where. Out on the open road it is startlingly good, with savage performance, mind-boggling grip and traction, and a remarkably agile and responsive chassis. Around town, however... it isn't quite so much fun thanks to its brutally harsh rear suspension that genuinely makes it a hard grind to endure.
Is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4Matic practical?
Surprisingly more practical than its predecessor. While the new rear seats are tight, they do make the car more usable and even if you never use the as seats, they are a handy extra space that compliments the equally-surprisingly large boot.
What do we like about the Mercedes-AMG GT B63 4Matic?
The savage performance, brutally accurate handling, utterly immense levels of grip and flamboyantly aggressive amounts of nose it makes doing all that. It is a genuinely mind-blowing car to unleash on a winding back road or, ideally, a race track.
What don’t we like about the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4Matic?
The abysmal primary ride from the rear truly does hamper the GT 63 in terms of it being the ultimate all-rounder. Oh, and the optional whit interior is awful...
What kind of person would the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 4Matic suit?
Someone who wants the ultimate back road warrior or track day car, and doesn't want to drive around town much in it.
