- Highs: Thunderous V-8 sound, horsepower, and thrust; intense handling capability; sexy, curvaceous design.
- Lows: Tight interior space, fussy infotainment system, short list of tech-based driver aids.
- Verdict: A true front-engine supercar that can be driven every day, both to work and on the racetrack.
Overview
Created
by AMG, the in-house speed shop of Mercedes, the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT
and GT C are the luxury brand's answer to the Porsche 911, while the
track-focused GT R and GT R Pro rival the Porsche 911 GT3 and GT3 RS.
The two-seat sports cars are offered as a coupe or soft-top roadster
and serve as the halo sports cars to the Mercedes-AMG lineup. Gorgeously
curvaceous and brutally quick, with zero-to-60-mph times of less than
3.5 seconds, all are front-engine, rear-wheel-drive machines powered by a
thunderous turbocharged V-8 with considerable might. A dual-clutch
seven-speed automatic transmission is standard. With grip surpassing 1.0
g, these are hard-core performance machines, but the GT and GT C models
also offer everyday civility.
2020 Mercedes-AMG GT
2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R
2020 Mercedes-AMG GT
What's New for 2020?
Mercedes-AMG
updated the interior and exterior of its GT and GT R models for 2020.
On the outside, there are new LED head- and taillights, a redesigned
rear diffuser, new model-specific exhaust tips, new wheels, and a new
Designo color, Brilliant Blue Magno. Inside, a standard fully digital
12.3-inch instrument-cluster display has been added along with a new
10.3-inch multimedia-center display. The center console has been
redesigned with capacitive display buttons and an optional touchpad
infotainment interface. The new steering wheel features AMG Drive Unit
controls, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto integration is now standard.
There's also a new AMG Track Pace virtual race engineer COMAND
application, so you can monitor your lap times.
Pricing and Suggestion
- GT coupe: $116,895
- GT roadster: $128,895
- GT C coupe: $151,895
- GT C roadster: $163,395
- GT R coupe: $163,895
- GT R roadster: $190,745
- GT R Pro coupe: $200,645
With
469 horsepower, Mercedes says the AMG GT coupe can hit 60 mph in 3.9
seconds, making it a strong value at less than $120,000. But the GT C
models get larger wheels and tires, an adjustable suspension, rear-wheel
steering, composite brakes, and a considerable increase in power and
handling. With 550 horsepower and a zero-to-60-mph time of 3.3 seconds in our testing,
the price jump is justified. Mercedes will only build 750 examples of
the GT R roadster and 150 examples of the GT R Pro, assuring their
exclusivity.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Every
2020 Mercedes-AMG GT, GT C, and GT R is powered by a 4.0-liter V-8.
Every model also gets a carbon-fiber driveshaft and a dual-clutch
seven-speed automatic transaxle, which improves balance and handling.
The engine is a technological tour de force, with dry-sump oiling,
direct injection, and two turbochargers. It's rated to produce 469
horsepower in the GT models, but it's cranked up to 550 horsepower in
the GT C variants and 577 horsepower in the GT R and GT R Pro, which
also get an aerodynamics package that increases downforce by 220 pounds
at 155 mph versus the standard GT R, improving grip and performance on
the racetrack. When driven by Mercedes-AMG factory driver Maro Engel,
Mercedes says the GT R Pro laps the Nürburgring Nordschleife six seconds
faster than the standard GT R. Buyers should be aware, however, that
the 443-hp 2020 Porsche 911 S is quicker than the Mercedes, hitting 60 mph in 3.0 seconds.
AMG's GT R Pro On The Run
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
With
such performance, it's no surprise the Mercedes-AMG GT, GT C, and GT R
are thirsty, but their EPA fuel-economy estimates aren't as dire as you
might expect. The GT models are rated 16/22 mpg city/highway. Those
numbers drop for the more powerful GT C models to 15/21 mpg. The GT R
and GT R Pro are rated 15/20 mpg city/highway. For comparison, the 2020
Porsche 911 S, which is powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter flat-six, is
rated at 18/23 mpg.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Mercedes
has successfully updated the interior of its sports car for 2020,
adding technology and function. Overall build quality remains superior,
and the cabin materials are in line with the GT's big sticker price.
It's not very roomy inside, but the driving position is perfect, and
seat comfort is exceptional. The new 12.3-inch configurable instrument
display is a welcome change along with its new, larger 10.3-inch central
infotainment screen. Ergonomics are also improved by the revised center
console, with capacitive-touch controls for the car's many performance
settings. And as with Porsche, Mercedes has moved the GT's drive-mode
selector dial to the steering wheel where it should be. Roadsters get a
power top that drops in seconds. With 10.1 cubic feet of cargo space,
the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT's trunk is twice as large as the Porsche 911's.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Infotainment
upgrades include a new larger 10.3-inch central infotainment screen,
which seems even bigger in the tight confines of its cockpit. However,
it's still not a touchscreen; the system's functions are manipulated by a
large knob on the console, and the interface can be a bit clumsy. A
touchpad is optional, which helps. It responds to smartphone gestures
such as swipe, pinch, and handwriting. Navigation is standard along with
Bluetooth audio, two USB ports, a six-month SiriusXM satellite radio
subscription, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability. Onboard Wi-Fi
is available.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Despite their six-figure price tags, the Mercedes-AMG GT, GT C, and GT R aren't exactly brimming with active safety-tech systems
and driver aids. Front and rear cameras, automatic high-beams, parking
sensors, and Mercedes-Benz's Pre-Safe collision-avoidance system are
standard. Blind-spot assist and lane-keeping assist are optional on the
GT but come standard on the GT C. Adaptive cruise control is available
on both models. Key safety features include:
- Standard Pre-Safe collision-avoidance system
- Available blind-spot assist
- Available lane-keeping assist
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
With
a four-year or 50,000-mile warranty, the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT gets the
same standard coverage as every other Mercedes. It matches the warranty
duration of the Porsche 911 and Audi R8. Complimentary scheduled maintenance is not included.
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- No complimentary scheduled maintenance
