Key Takeaways
- The AMG GT 43 breaks tradition with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine instead of a V8, but still reaches 416 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque.
- Despite the unexciting engine sound, the AMG GT 43 is fast with a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph.
- The entry-level AMG GT 43 model features rear-wheel drive and a nine-speed automatic transmission.
- Saves 250 lbs compared to V8 models.
- Features bespoke styling to differentiate it from senior AMG GT Coupe models.
The Mercedes-AMG GT is a halo model for the AMG brand and one we thought would retain V8 power as a show of might against its chief rival, the Porsche 911. But Mercedes has revealed the latest version of the AMG GT, and with it, broken the hearts of gearheads the world over. Called the AMG GT 43, the new entry-level model ditches the twin-turbo V8 in the GT 55 and GT 63 for a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with e-turbo and mild hybrid assistance. This is the same powertrain as found in the AMG SL 43, with its power outputs bumped up to 416 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque – a direct match for the 2024 Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 with which this powertrain is shared.
The difference here is that the AMG GT 43 is rear-wheel drive (higher trims are all-wheel drive) with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Unenthusiastic engine note aside, the AMG GT 43 is quick, with 0-60 mph taking 4.5 seconds, while top speed is achieved at 174 mph.
Advanced Chassis At The Expense Of Curb Weight
Its engine may seem a letdown, but thankfully, the chassis technology is still close to that of the fire-breathing V8s, with five-link front and rear suspension, aluminum shocks, and lightweight coil springs. Much of the suspension componentry is manufactured from lightweight forged aluminum in a bid to reduce unsprung weight, aiding handling and ride comfort. Saving weight will be crucial for the team from Affalterbach, as the AMG GT has previously been criticized for being a heifer, weighing more than a Bugatti Veyron. While V8 versions (with AWD) have a curb weight of 4,162 lbs, AMG has managed to reduce the weight of the AMG GT 43 by 250 lbs, weighing in at 3,913 lbs.
This should help improve handling despite the drop in power. When we drove the mechanically related AMG SL43, we remarked that the chassis was a great base to work from for the AMG GT.
Through high- and low-speed corners, the SL 43 remains planted and well-composed. Under braking, there’s no nose-diving or unsettling of the rear, which suggests an inherent balance to the platform AMG is working with.
Stopping power should be more than plentiful in the AMG GT 43, with six-piston front calipers and single-piston floating rears. The front brakes, which do most of the work anyway, measure 390mm.
Other chassis enhancements available to buyers of the entry-level GT include optional AMG Ride Control adaptive damping. Accessible through the AMG Dynamic Select drive mode controls, it can slacken off the ride in Comfort mode or sharpen it through Sport and Sport+. Additional driving modes include Smooth, Individual, and Race, the latter engaging launch control and unshackling the stability control systems for a little more fun behind the wheel. To make the most of this, the AMG Dynamic Plus package equips dynamic engine mounts to help control the motion and weight transfer of the engine, and also adds an electronically controlled locking differential to the rear axle.
Another integral part of this package is the active aerodynamics it equips. Based on the drive modes and the behavior of the car, the AMG GT 43 will deploy a carbon fiber lip under the nose by up to 1.57 inches at 50 mph, creating a venturi effect under the car to aid traction and dynamic handling.
If you like your aero fixed instead of active, you can also opt for a fixed rear wing, which replaces the retractable rear spoiler the car features as standard.
Additionally, buyers can opt for rear-axle steering to make the car more nimble at low speeds and stable at high speeds.
Sexy Design Looks Sportier Than The Engine Note Suggests
While at first glance, the AMG GT 43 may look the same as its V8 siblings, but this isn’t the case. It has a smaller AMG grille and lacks the prominent air curtains at the outboard edges of the front bumper. Instead, it has a lower air intake that spans the width of the nose, with broad side air intakes featuring active vanes that open and close depending on the cooling and aerodynamic requirements.
The fender vents aft the front wheel are also horizontal as opposed to vertical.
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At the rear of the AMG GT 43, you won’t find the vertical vents on the outboard edge of the rear bumper. The tell-tale sign you’re looking at a car with four cylinders instead of eight is the exhaust tips, which are a quartet of round pipes instead of the traditional trapezoidal AMG items we’ve become accustomed to.
19-inch alloy wheels are standard, with a variety of 19-, 20-, and 21-inch wheels optionally available.
Practical 2+2 Interior More Than A Match For Porsche 911
Another element that remains largely unchanged from the V8 variants is the interior of the AMG GT 43 Coupe. You still get a 2+2 seating arrangement and a hands-free liftgate at the rear, providing access to a relatively cavernous trunk. Plus, the rear seats can be folded to maximize storage space when you don’t need the rear seats at all.
Digitalization is a standard feature, with a digital instrument cluster and an 11.9-inch portrait-orientation touchscreen running the latest MBUX infotainment. Through this, drivers also have access to the AMG Performance and AMG Track Pace tools for tracking lap times and other driving metrics.
The standard seats are manually adjustable AMG sports seats upholstered in Nappa leather, but optional AMG performance seats are the ones to go for if you need the extra lateral support and intend to use the AMG GT 43 in a track day setting.
Is the Mercedes-AMG GT 43 Coupe Coming To America
Mercedes-Benz USA doesn’t bring every variant of its AMG models to the US, but it is a possibility the AMG GT 43 Coupe will arrive stateside. We’ve reached out to MBUSA to confirm and will update this article accordingly.
It’s worth noting that even if it does ship stateside, it likely won’t come cheap. The 2023 Mercedes-AMG SL 43, for example, is priced from $109,900, and just yesterday, the pricing for the AMG GT 55 Coupe was announced at $135,000. The current range-topped, the GT 63 Coupe, has an MSRP of $176,000.
For reference, the AMG GT will rival the Porsche 911, which starts at $114,400 in base Carrera form with 379 hp from a turbocharged flat-six.