Every German brand has its own four-door performance “coupe”. BMW has the gorgeous M8 Gran Coupe (technically still the M6 Gran Coupe until the M8 comes out), Audi has the upcoming RS7 Sportback, based on the very pretty A7, and now Mercedes has this — the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. Seems as if Mercedes’ marketing team isn’t as good as the other two. 4-Door Coupe? That’s the best they could come up with? But I digress. The new AMG GT 4-Door Coupe just launched at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show and it’s the four-door version of the already gorgeous looking AMG GT. Should look good then, right?
Maybe not. While the current AMG GT Coupe is a beautiful car that features styling reminiscent of classic European sport coupes from the ’40s and ’50s, this new 4-Door Coupe version features the same design language as the new Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. Which isn’t a good thing. In fairness, it does look much better than the CLS-Class and it really isn’t a bad looking car. I think I’m just disappointed, thanks to high expectations given by the standard AMG GT Coupe. There are some nice exterior design elements, like the frameless side windows, the heavily sculpted hood, the way the roofline goes from the start A-pillar to the very edge of the trunk lid in one smooth curve and the rear spoiler.
Inside, there’s a lot to like as well. It features a cabin very similar to every other modern Mercedes, oddly unlike the standard AMG GT, though. It’s more S-Class on the inside than AMG GT. Which is a good thing if you’re looking for more luxury and a bad thing if you want something sportier. Still, it’s a lovely cabin with rich materials and a very attractive design.
But what matter most is what’s under the skin. The standard Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door ’63’ will get a 4.0 liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that makes 577 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, which will be paired with the brand’s new nine-speed automatic gearbox. If you want even more power, there’s an AMG GT 4-Door ’63 S’ model that will use the same engine to make 630 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. The more powerful car is said to hit 60 mph in 3.1 seconds, which is seriously quick.
If you want the power and the looks but without killing the planet as much, there will also be a version that sports a 3.0 liter turbocharged I6 that uses what Mercedes calls an “EQ Boost”, which is just a Battery Alternator Starter, which is basically an electric motor that can turn the engine’s crank. That combines to make just 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of toque, plus 21 hp and 184 lb-ft from the EQ Boost, so it’s significantly less than the other versions but a bit more efficient.
All models will come with the brand’s 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system that’s capable of becoming rear-wheel drive, in its now-famous “Drift Mode”, for short periods of time. All models will also have what Mercedes is calling “AIRPANEL”, which is basically an active aerodynamic flap in the front bumper, which works in-joint with the active rear spoiler to create some pretty nifty aero.
Overall, the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door looks like an interesting car that will surely contend with the BMW M8 Gran Coupe when it debuts and the Audi RS7 Sportback when it does. Obviously, none of these cars have been driven yet, so we can’t judge them on their performance, but I think it’s safe to say that this won’t be the best looking of the three and will have the worst name. It will be fast, though and that’s what really matters.
