Mercedes-AMG GT R Test Drive Review – Beast Of The Green Hell!

Mercedes-AMG GT R Review

Car Tested: Mercedes-AMG GT R; Road Test No. 1088; Test Location: Delhi, NCR

Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 3,09,72,857/-

With enticing looks & insane performance, the AMG GT R is a proper missile!

AMG – the three letters are enough to evoke a sense of driving thrill amongst the petrol heads. The performance arm of Mercedes has given some true jewels of German engineering and has established itself as the makers of some of the most exciting cars in the world. From the 300 SEL 6.8 of the yesteryears to the gorgeous SLS AMG of the recent times, it’s not difficult to fathom the ever growing fan base. AMG knows a thing or two about creating relatively ordinary cars into something extraordinary. But what happens when they go all out and create a flagship supercar? Can it be the best in the AMG range? Can it offer the sum of all the AMGs? We try to answer those questions with the AMG GT R.

Motor Quest: The AMG GT was the second supercar, after the SLS, to be developed in-house by AMG. Launched in 2014, the car was assisted by none other than the F1 legend Lewis Hamilton in its development. The GT R is the extreme version of the supercar famous for its ultra-fast lap at the Nurburgring race circuit and nicknamed the ‘Beast Of The Green Hell’

Exteriors – There are no two ways about it, the AMG GT R looks smoking hot, particularly in this Green Hell Magno paint shade. This car has tonnes of attitude and the front, with its gaping grille, sharp headlights, huge three-pointed star and accentuated bumpers, certainly amplify that feeling. The front is very bold and a huge departure from the elegant looks typically associated with Mercedes cars. While it leaves no doubt about the intentions of the car, some people may find it a bit excessive.

The AMG GT R is an instant attention magnet, especially in this exclusive Green Hell Magno paint job

What is surely excessive is the really long bonnet. While it may feel polarising at first, you get used to it and realise that it gels well with the rest of the design. The side profile is characterised by the flared wheel arches and the air dam with the V8 badging. It is the long bonnet, again, that does the trick making the side profile stand out. There is nothing too dramatic otherwise. Mention must be made of the tastefully designed alloy wheels and the lovely looking yellow brake callipers.

The rear has a fast-back like sloping angle and wide tail lights. The GT R version also gets a big carbon fibre spoiler and a very busy looking exhaust bay. There are air vents on either side of the bumpers and a total of four exhausts including two in the middle. The looks of the AMG GT R are sure to get you noticed. It is an angry looking car which means all business. the design may appear to be too aggressive but that is how a supercar should look in our opinion.

Interiors – The interior is a standard German fair. The low seating, high centre console, raked windscreen and generous use of Alcantara attributes to the hardcore supercar qualities of the AMG GT R. Yet the essentials haven’t been neglected. The comfort levels are genuinely good and the interior does not feel stripped down. The seats are comfortable and the driving position is spot on. The buttons on the centre console look and feel like they would on any other Mercedes-Benz. The eight circular controls on the centre console look beautifully done. The quality is pretty impressive too.

The interior is finished in Alcantara and there is sportiness in every bit

It’s not all roses though. Dig a bit deeper and you will come across with one or two annoyances in the cabin. The seats cannot be adjusted far back as there is a strut bar right behind them. The gear level is a touch too behind, meaning you need time to get used to it. The COMAND infotainment system is an older generation one and you don’t get ambient lighting.

The low seating along with the high centre console & long bonnet gives the driver a commanding driving position

What stands out in the cabin is the curious looking yellow button-like knob below the AC vents. That is to control your traction control settings and it gets activated once you deactivate the stability control. The knob looks like an afterthought and does not go in sync with the rest of the controls. Yet those are minor flaws and no real compromises in what remains a truly impressive effort by AMG at making the interior that is sporty and yet well finished.

Space is good and as mentioned the driving position is commendable. We like the well-shaped steering wheel and the orange-dials in the instrument cluster. Though we would have preferred the excellent digital display over the analogue dials with the car of this segment.

Performance – The Mercedes AMG GT line up has different state of tunes for every variant and the R naturally has the most output on offer with the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 producing 585 PS of power and 700 Nm of torque which peaks in at just 1900 RPM and peaks out at 5500 RPM, giving it a very wide peak torque band, resulting in a stellar mid-range. 0-100 km/hr takes 3.6 seconds while the top speed is 318 km/hr and expectedly, there is stupendous pulling power with a minor lag lower down and a crazy pull in the mid-range which not only pins you back into the seat but gathers pace relentlessly, redlining at just under 7000 RPM.

Performance is mind-blowing and the exhaust note is truly music to the ears

The Mercedes AMG GT R comes with 5 driving modes – Individual, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Race, these alter the engine, gearbox, suspension, steering and exhaust note. Race mode gives you the full bananas with left foot on the brake and right foot on the accelerator enabling launch control, ‘Race Start’ in Mercedes speak. Press the traction control button once and it goes to ESP Sport, keep it pressed and it turns off, enabling the 9-level traction control dial on the centre console.

The 7-speed AMG Speedshift dual-clutch gearbox can be put in manual mode so you can take control of cogs using the steering mounted paddles but that seems unnecessary because the Merc transmission is super quick with shifts and downshifts in an instant, even blipping the throttle to create an exciting aural sensation. The exhaust note is a pure melody, it even crackles and pops when you lift off and pushback on upshifts. Fuel economy is between 3 to 5 km/l and this supercar needs 97 octane fuel, the range on a full tank is 250 kms.

Driving Dynamics – The Mercedes AMG GT R is like a race car which can also be driven on the road. This is immediately apparent once you start driving on the uneven roads of our country as you can feel almost everything inside, the ride is just too stiff, the ground clearance almost non-existent and the tyre profile too low. To clear speed-breakers, crawling just doesn’t help, you have to angle the vehicle and then pray that it doesn’t scrape its underbelly. With 93% aluminium and the 3.25m long hood being made of aluminium, the GT R uses some expensive components in its construction and it helps.

While the ride is very stiff, the GT R makes up for it with its phenomenal handling with virtually no body roll

The handling is just surreal, there is no body roll, none at all, it doesn’t roll, it doesn’t pitch, it doesn’t waft, it doesn’t squat, it doesn’t dive, it just moves around with pinpoint accuracy with a steering so feel-some and feedback-rich that even before you think of making a turn, the car is already there! Truly, Lewis Hamilton’s feedback in the development of the R version of the AMG GT is evident, it is a true delight around the corners. The optional carbon ceramic brakes on our test car offer such terrific stopping power that for the most part, I stopped a few kms before than I anticipated!

Safety – The AMG GT R is as safe as it gets. The standard equipment is comprised of multiple airbags and a host of really advanced electronics including an ultra-sensitive traction control system to keep things in check should you get carried away by the power on offer. Mercedes has a very good network of sales and service outlets across India which means servicing shouldn’t be an issue, the company also has a reputation of good service quality levels.

Verdict – The AMG GT R is the ultimate hardcore supercar. It has scintillating performance, sorted dynamics and raw looks. The AMG GT R is the happiest when on a track but you can occasionally drive it on the road too. That said, this range-topping AMG is not as road biased as say the E63s AMG and as a daily driver, you are better off with a smaller and less powerful AMG. But as a weekend toy, the AMG GT R packs in a tremendous punch and has all the right ingredients to make it the ultimate driver’s delight.

What’s Cool

* Stunning looks and spectacular exhaust note
* Luxurious and premium interiors with a fabulous build quality
* Unbelievable performance and breathtaking driving dynamics
* Loaded with safety tech and a practical boot

What’s Not So Cool

* Certain ergonomic quirks in the cabin
* Need to be careful around speed-breakers

Alternatives: – Aston Martin Vantage, Audi R8 V10+, Porsche 911, Jaguar F-Type

Mercedes-AMG GT R Specifications

* Engine: 3982cc, V8, Twin-Turbo, Petrol
* Power: 585 HP @ 6250 RPM
* Torque: 700 Nm @ 1900-5500 RPM
* Transmission: 7-Speed MT
* 0-100 km/hr: 3.6 seconds
* Top Speed: 318 km/hr
* Fuel Consumption: 3-5 km/l
* Fuel Type: 97 Octane Petrol
* Tyre Size: 275/35/19 (Front), 325/30/20 (Rear)
* Suspension: Independent Suspension (Front), Coil Spring (Rear)
* Brakes: Carbon Ceramic Discs (Front & Rear)
* Safety: 4 Airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, Traction Control

Mercedes-AMG GT R Dimensions

* Overall length x width x height: 4551 mm X 2075 mm X 1284 mm
* Wheelbase: 2630 mm
* Turning Radius: 5.7-metres
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 75-litres
* Kerb Weight: 1630 kgs

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