Used 2018 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG GT

Introduced just last year, the 2-passenger 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT is the German luxury brand’s flagship sports car sitting one notch above the legendary Mercedes SL Roadster. Offered as a coupe or convertible, the new AMG GT is a sophisticated supercar, with everyday civility, rear-wheel drive, an automatic transmission and a turbocharged V8 engine with as much as 577 horsepower. Four models are available with prices starting around $113,500, while the GT R Coupe tops the range at $158,000. Although there are AMG versions of the Mercedes SL with as much or more power, the AMG GT is lighter, harder-edged and it has a more aggressively tuned and better balanced all-aluminum chassis, which gives it superior handling than the softer and more relaxed SL models. Other competitors include the Porsche 911, Aston Martin Vantage and the new Chevy Corvette ZR1.

Few cars pack the intensity and performance of the 2018 Mercedes AMG GT. Although it’s civilized enough to be driven daily, and it’ll get you to the office with a smile on your face and endorphins in your bloodstream, this sports car begs for the open road, or even the racetrack. Our AMG GT C test vehicle packed a 550-horsepower twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, which rumbled like a funny car and provided enough acceleration to impress John Force himself. Mercedes says the 2-seater can sprint from 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds, and the 577-horsepower AMG GT R Coupe is even quicker. The 7-speed automatic transmission clicks off gears with a firm hand and it’s quick to respond to your commands when you use the paddle shifters. The driver can select from four modes, including Comfort and Sport+, each manipulating the GT’s throttle response, chassis, stability control and exhaust sound. The steering is quick and the suspension is tuned firm, even in Comfort mode, for razor-sharp reflexes.

The 2018 Mercedes AMG GT is no pretender; this is a true sports car with a driver-focused interior, simple analog gauges and a low seating position. And there isn’t much room inside. If you shop at the big-and-tall stores you’re probably not going to fit comfortably. The seats are narrow and unnecessarily hard, which gives the AMG GT a race-car feel, but some more padding would be nice. The seating position is excellent, but visibility is heavily compromised by a short windshield and thick pillars, which can hide pedestrians dangerously. Fit/finish is excellent, and the infotainment system is easy to use once you get the hang of it. There’s also plenty of cargo space, with a 10.1-cubic-foot trunk.

People don’t just stare at this car, they are drawn to it like preteens to Taylor Swift. They gawk, point and take pictures with their phones. Smile, you’re on Instagram. The 2018 Mercedes AMG GT is striking. With its low long hood and short deck, it’s imposing and impressive, and it looks expensive, but it’s also more approachable than many other more exaggerated exotics. Although the Mercedes AMG GT was all-new just last year, for 2018 Mercedes has updated the car’s front-end design with a new more aggressive grille that riffs off the nose of the company’s gullwing 300SL race cars of the 1950s. Nice touch.

COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS
Using radar, this standard high-tech safety system scans the road ahead looking for obstacles in your path. If it detects a collision is likely, and the driver applies the brakes it automatically maximizes the level of stopping power to prevent the collision or reduce its severity. If the driver does not take action, the system will brake for you at speeds below 65 mph.

AIRSCARF VENTILATED HEADRESTS
This ingenious system is standard on all new AMG GT Roadsters. Through a vent in the seat just below the headrest it blows heated air on your neck, head and shoulders. There’s even a 3-stage temperature control and the airflow adjusts to your driving speed. It works, and when it’s used in combination with the GT’s heated seats, the Mercedes can be enjoyed top down even in the coldest of climates.

With a base price over $113,000 you’d expect the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT to be generously equipped, and you’d be right. Leather upholstery is standard, as are heated power seats with memory, a wind-blocker to help minimize wind-mussed hair and Mercedes’ Airscarf neck-level heating system. Also standard is Mercedes-Benz’s COMAND system with navigation, Bluetooth and satellite radio, driver-adjustable modes for the engine and suspension, many safety driver aids like Collision Prevention Assist Plus and Pre-Safe. Also notable are heated seats, dual-zone climate controls, parking sensors, a rearview camera, rear-axle steering, a quick power top on Roadster models, LED headlights and an active rear spoiler that deploys and retracts at various speeds.

Our AMG GT C wore almost $20,000 in optional equipment including an AMG Carbon Ceramic Braking system that costs almost $9,000. Other options consisted of a carbon-fiber engine cover to impress your friends at the local Cars and Coffee, a Burmester High End Surround Sound System and Mercedes Distronic Plus adaptive cruise-control system, which can keep a preset safe distance from the vehicle ahead. Mercedes also offers multiple wheel designs, Blind-Spot Assist, lane-departure warning, red brake calipers, carbon-fiber packages to dress up the exterior or interior, heated power-folding outside mirrors, colored seatbelts, keyless entry and engine start and illuminated doorsills.

Every 2018 Mercedes AMG GT is powered by a twin-turbocharged all-aluminum 4.0-liter V8 engine with the turbochargers mounted in the vee of the engine block. And every AMG GT gets a 7-speed automatic transmission. But engine output does vary among the models. The engine makes 469 horsepower in the standard AMG GT Coupe and Roadster. In the AMG GT S Coupe, it gets bumped up to 515 horsepower. In the AMG GT C models, it gets cranked up to 550 horsepower and in the GT R Coupe it’s maxed out at 577 horsepower. If you’re concerned about fuel economy, you’re shopping the wrong car. We averaged 15.2 mpg after a week of mixed driving and every AMG GT is subject to a $1,000 gas-guzzler tax.

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (GT)
469 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
465 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22 mpg

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (GT S)
515 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm
494 lb-ft of torque @ 1,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/22 mpg

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (GT C)
550 horsepower @ 5,750 rpm
502 lb-ft of torque @ 1,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20 mpg

4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 (GT R)
577 horsepower @ 6,200 rpm
516 lb-ft of torque @ 1,900 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/20 mpg