2018 Mercedes-AMG GT Road Test and Review

2018 Mercedes AMG GT C Roadster front three quarter ・ Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz invented the supercar in 1955. That year, the German automaker introduced a road-going version of its two-seat 300 SL race car that had won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1952. Famous for its gullwing doors, the 300 SL became an instant classic and perfect examples cost more than $1,000,000 today. It’s the car that secured Mercedes' performance image around the world and created a tradition of super-fast, incredibly capable machines adorned with its three-pointed star. Others over the decades have included the V12-powered CLK GTR, the supercharged SLR, the gull-winged AMG SLS and the 2018 AMG GT. 

With as much as 577 horsepower, a top speed over 200 mph and a six-figure price tag, the sexy AMG GT lives up to that legacy. It’s a bona fide two-seat supercar, but it’s also luxurious and comfortable enough to be driven every day. Let's take a closer look at this instant classic.

Front-Engine Coupe or Convertible

Unlike some of its main rivals, which mount their engines behind the driver, the 2018 Mercedes AMG GT is a front-engined two-seater like the Chevrolet Corvette. Also like the Corvette, it comes in two body styles: a coupe and a soft-top convertible. The 469-horsepower AMG GT Coupe has a sexy fastback design and is the most affordable model, with a starting price of $114,395 once you include the $1,000 gas guzzler tax and the $995 destination fee. Buyers can also step up to the 515-horsepower AMG GT S, the 550-horsepower AMG GT C and the 577-horsepower AMG GT R, which costs $158,995.

The AMG GT Roadster also packs 469 horsepower but costs $12,000 more than the base coupe. Our 2018 Mercedes AMG GT C Roadster test vehicle carried a base price of $158,995 and an as-tested price of $180,065, due to a long list of extra cost options including an $8,950 Carbon Ceramic Braking system.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Turbocharged V8 Power

Every AMG GT runs a sophisticated all-aluminum double overhead cam twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine under its long aluminum hood. All models also use a dual-clutch seven-speed automatic transmission, which sends the engine’s ample torque and horsepower to the rear wheels. All-wheel drive is not available.

The engine is a masterpiece with massive amounts of low-end torque, a V8 rumble from the gods and a 7,000-rpm redline. Mercedes says every AMG GT model can accelerate from 0-60 mph in under 3.8 seconds, with the 577 horsepower AMG GT R Coupe leading the pack at 3.5 seconds. That makes it Mercedes quickest model. Still, it isn’t the most powerful or quickest car in its class. Several competitors outgun the AMG GT, including the all-wheel drive Porsche 911 Turbo S, which hits 60 mph in 2.8 seconds, and the new 755-horsepower Chevy Corvette ZR1.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

A Serious Hot Rod

There’s an edge to the 2018 Mercedes AMG GT. An edge many might not be expected from Mercedes-Benz, an automaker known for its luxurious sedans and SUVs. If you’re looking for a smooth ride, quiet interior, and pillowy seats, this is not the car for you. This is a serious hot rod that wants to be driven hard. For the serious enthusiast, it’s comfortable enough to be driven every day or even cross country. But the GT’s firm seats and stiff ride, and the constant cackle and crackle from its V8, may wear thin for casual car lovers, who are better served by the genteel Mercedes SL.

Other sacrifices asked by the AMG GT in the name of speed and sex appeal are a low front spoiler that scrapes itself raw on driveways and visibility that rivals some submarines. And, as expected, with its low seating position, thick pillars, and high beltline is tough to see out of.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Three Driving Modes

Around town, the Mercedes AMG GT C Roadster is a thrill machine with incredible power and an intoxicating soundtrack of V8 thunder. Full-throttle acceleration will scare most passengers. You can actually hear the fear in their voice as they ask you to, “Pppplease slow down.” The steering is quick and the automatic transmission responds quickly when you use the paddle shifters.

AMG Dynamic Select allows you to choose among four modes, including Sport and Sport+, to tune the supercar’s dynamics for the driving environment as well your mood. Each setting manipulates the GT’s throttle response, chassis, stability control and exhaust sound. The ride is firm even in Comfort mode, the default when you start the car. Sport+ is little over the top for the city — save it for the Sunday morning run through the hills or the racetrack — but Sport mode is a sweet spot that keeps the transmission and the engine perfectly in sync with a performance driver.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Surprising Fuel Economy

Despite its awesome horsepower, the AMG GT is somewhat fuel-efficient. The EPA rates the standard GT Coupe and Roadster at 16 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway, and the more powerful GT C at 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. We averaged 15.2 mpg on premium fuel during a week of lead-footed mixed driving around Los Angeles, which included a banzai run on the world-famous Angeles Crest Highway and some high-speed shenanigans in the high desert around Palmdale. Around town, we did utilize the engine’s start/stop technology, which automatically shuts off the engine while you're idling.

Okay, so it’s no Toyota Prius, but those are decent numbers in the supercar class. Even the hybrid Acura NSX is rated at 21 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. Other leaders include the Porsche 911 Turbo, which is rated at 19 mpg city and 24 mpg highway, and the less-powerful BMW i8 plug-in hybrid.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Beautiful Interior

You sit low in the AMG GT and look out over simple analog instruments and an extremely long hood. The seats feel like they were plucked from a race car, and its shifter is a stubby little thing crafted from aluminum and covered in leather. You push a button to put it in Park, which is odd. Build quality is extremely high, everything is assembled precisely and the materials are impressive. The dash looks a concept car's, with a bank of four round air conditioning vents and a large infotainment screen. It’s all very futuristic, but the ergonomics are spot-on and user-friendly.

At first glance, the massive center console seems to take up valuable people space, but there’s a surprising amount of room to stretch out. We were also impressed by the interior’s calm with the top down. There’s no buffeting, even above 100 mph, and holding a conversation is possible without shouting.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

My Favorite Feature

Drop the top on a cool night and you’ll appreciate the GT C Roadster’s Airscarf ventilated headrests. There are vents in the GT’s seats, just below the headrests, that blow warm air on the nape of your neck and shoulders. When used with the supercar’s heated seats, which have three settings, you could drive this hot rod through a blizzard at 100 mph and never get so much as a chill.

Airscarf is also found on other Mercedes-Benz convertibles, and BMW has a similar system in the 4 Series, but it’s one of my favorites.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Tight Trunk

Unfortunately, interior storage is an issue. There’s only a small console bin, and the door pockets too small to be useful. There’s really nowhere to conveniently throw your wallet and cellphone. There are two sizable cupholders located ahead of the shifter on the center console, but they’re placed very close to the dashboard and block the air conditioning and other controls when in use. 

There is a decent trunk, but pack light. Its 10.1 cubic feet of space is more than we expected and it can handle luggage for a weeklong road trip for two, but large hard suitcases will not fit.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Visual Impact and Sophistication

Few cars have the visual impact of the 2018 Mercedes AMG GT. It stops people in their tracks and widens their eyes. They ask about it, compliment you on it and take its picture. Don’t buy this car unless you like to talk to people at gas stations, parking lots and red lights. Like the Mercedes 300 SL and SLS, the new AMG GT looks imposing, powerful and expensive. But it’s not cartoonish or overdressed with massive spoilers and silly-looking scoops. And for 2018, Mercedes has updated the grille with a design borrowed from the 1950s 300 SL racecars.

With its long hood and exaggerated proportions, the AMG GT has a presence and an unmistakable muscularity, and there’s no missing it in traffic against the backdrop of humdrum sedans and boxy SUVs. Still, there’s an understated elegance to its simplicity, a sophistication shared by few other cars in the class.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz

Final Thoughts

Built in Germany, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT is a very desirable overall choice for those in the market for a sexy high-performance coupe or convertible. It’s a true supercar that can be driven every day and taken to the race track on the weekends.

Although the standard 469-horsepower models are more than enough for most buyers, we recommend stepping up to the GT C model if you can. Its additional 81 horsepower can not only be felt, but you’ll need it when you pull up next to that Porsche 911 GTS at the red light. Also, pay the $2,250 for the optional silver AMG 5-spoke wheels. They’re beautiful.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz