Introducing the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT SUV
The Mercedes-AMG GT SUV is the first full-size SUV that AMG has developed entirely in-house. Until now, its larger models started life as Mercedes-Benz cars before the engineers in Affalterbach set about sharpening them. This one began with a blank sheet of paper and a fully electric platform, shared with the GT 4-Door Coupe.
The aim was to create a car with the presence of a large SUV and the character of a grand tourer. It is a long, wide car, just over five metres in length, that looks far more athletic than its dimensions might suggest.
Three all-wheel drive versions are on offer, with the GT 53 as the entry point and the GT 63 at the summit with up to 1,153bhp — more than the 1,048bhp produced by the AMG One hypercar.
Design and Practicality
Viewed from afar, the upright front end and the sculpted bonnet give the GT SUV a commanding appearance. Flared wings and pronounced rear shoulders emphasise how wide it stands, and above them the roofline drops away to the tail spoiler.
The first surprise inside is the low level of the driver's seat. Rather than the elevated view of a conventional SUV, AMG has chosen the seating position of a grand tourer, well suited to a car engineered around a low centre of gravity.
Passengers in the rear are promised ample headroom and legroom for long journeys. The available Sky Control panoramic roof can switch sections between clear and opaque to control how much light enters the cabin.
The boot holds 607 litres, with a further 78 litres under the bonnet. More than 60 MANUFAKTUR paint finishes are offered, and for the first time AMG forged wheels can be coloured too.
Technology and Safety
Small touches set the tone from the start, such as the car's dedicated sounds for approaching, unlocking, locking and even charging.
Inside, an angled 14-inch central display and a 10.2-inch instrument cluster form a single sweep of glass in the driver’s line of sight. The latest MBUX system runs on MB.OS, and its virtual assistant can hold a natural conversation. A driver can ask for a coffee stop on the way home, then narrow the choice with follow-up questions, all without touching the screen.
An available head-up display keeps key information in the driver's eyeline, and its race navigation can show corner angles and braking points on a circuit for the occasional track day.
Rear-wheel steering is standard. At low speeds, the back wheels turn slightly in the opposite direction to the fronts to make the car easier to manoeuvre, and at higher speeds they turn the same way to keep it stable.
Range and Performance
Three axial-flux motors give the GT 63 up to 1,153bhp and a 0 to 62mph time of 2.7 seconds, the sort of figure usually reserved for dedicated sports cars. The GT 55 uses the same three-motor layout with less power, and the GT 53 has two motors, one on each axle.
Pace is only part of the story. The GT 63 adds Active Ride Control+ suspension, which counteracts body roll in corners and the nose dipping under braking.
Anyone who misses the sound of an AMG engine is catered for. The AMGFORCE Sport+ driving programme uses recordings of real engines from cars such as the GT R to recreate a V8 soundtrack, with a six-cylinder equivalent on the GT 53. It responds in real time to the way the car is being driven, and simulated gear changes from the paddles and seat vibrations complete the effect.
Charging
Public charging is where the GT SUV is built for the network of tomorrow. AMG's 710kW peak is a rate few UK chargers can supply today. The car switches automatically to 400 volts at stations that need it.
Where a compatible DC charger is available, AMG says the 128kWh battery can go from 10 to 80 percent in about twelve minutes in ideal conditions, or around sixteen at a 400kW charger, not much longer than a typical comfort break. At home, a wallbox handles the overnight top-up. The WLTP range is up to 435 miles.
Discover the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT SUV with Stratstone
Seating for five, a low driving position and AMG's own electric platform make the GT SUV a very different kind of large car. It will appeal to anyone who wants the performance of an AMG in a roomy five-seater that also happens to be electric.
To see the GT SUV in person or to arrange a test drive, please speak to your nearest Stratstone Mercedes-Benz retailer.
