Interior-wise, the impeccably trimmed AMG’s cabin shames those of all comers save for the 911. The Porsche features better ergonomics and visibility, and we find that car’s sport seats to be more comfortable than the tight-fit units in the GT S. The main quirk of the Mercedes, however, is that its gear selector is placed far rearward on the high, sloping center console. We understand this is due to Americans’ need for cup holders. We’re not huge fans of Mercedes’ column-based gear stalks, but one might have been more useful here. Alternately, ditch the cup holders.
Due at your local Mercedes store in April, the GT S will be followed in 2016 by the base level, 456-hp GT. Despite Mercedes’ refusal to comment on its impending existence, a blast-furnace Black Series model will arrive at some future date. There may even be other models to come. Could we see a roadgoing AMG GT GT3? The racing version is in the works, after all.
As relentlessly competent as the GT S is, it clearly has more to give. The fundamentals are all here—and nailed—but the ineffable, incandescent fire that makes a car transcendent awaits a thorough stoking. We fully expect to see that happen in a future variant, and we get the sense that—in grand 911 tradition—the AMG GT is about to spawn plenty of ’em.
Based on the previous SLS, it has lost weight and gains a real trunk with room for two golf bags. Power comes from a new, 503-hp 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 with a seven-speed automatic; expect a 0-60-mph time of about 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 193 mph.