Drive Time – 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT 55 Coupe
Let’s say you are enjoying life and are financially secure. And let’s say you already have an SUV, four-door sedan or truck at the ready. What should a car enthusiast contemplate for their next rewarding sweet ride?
I’d wholly recommend putting the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT 55 Coupe on your radar. It qualifies as a grin-inducing adrenalin rocket while delivering gorgeous looks, dazzling performance, luxury appointments, can behave admirably and has surprisingly decent trunk storage.
The AMG GT 55 Coupe qualifies as a daily driver supercar without the touchy idiosyncrasies found on competitors in this exalted category. Meaning, it combines euphoric thrust with a calm demeanor when needed. Seriously, what’s not to love?
The 2+2-seater is the perfect complement to an SUV or truck when you desire pure driving pleasure. Countless admiring compliments showered the beast. I know hard-to-impress valet attendants were unanimously smitten.
The AMG GT 55 is a bit lighter on the power than its AMG GT 63 sibling (577hp/590 lb-ft torque), yet I promise there’s little to compromise and more than enough juice at the ready while saving about $40,000. What’s not to love?
SKIN
The 2024 AMG GT 55 Coupe is pure allure on wheels. Its gorgeous, sinfully sexy, swoopy silhouette delivers lust at first sight. Our tester’s Patagonia Red Metallic paint is quite nice, yet there are other mouthwatering colors to grab your fancy. The GT 55’s exterior is bombshell hot without trying hard. It means serious business with a long rakish hood, bold front and cool retractable rear spoiler. Unique angled 3-dash LED headlights and taillights look fantastic. The rear includes quad exhausts, a bold rear diffuser and that deployable spoiler to enhance handling or lower drag.
Low-profile run-flat rubber and standard 20” AMG 10-spoke wheels are nice, but I’d opt for the upgraded 21” AMG Black Forged Split Spoke rims with contrasting large yellow brake calipers. I found myself glancing back lovingly several times when walking away from this beauty.
PERFORMANCE
The AMG GT 55 Coupe houses a robust 469hp/516 lb-ft torque Biturbo 4.0 Liter V8 capable of 0-60 in a 3.2 second blur. Okay, does anyone realistically need a V8 these days? I’m torn but, damn, I certainly appreciate its instantaneous thrust. The adjustable Active Sport Exhaust is euphoric with a perfect rumble, yet it’ll purr during late hours. I found myself opting for the intoxicating growl as my driving soundtrack.
Drivers will appreciate the smooth nine-speed that shifts effortlessly from Comfort, Slippery, Sport/Sport +, Individual and Racing (only 5-10% of owners track their AMGs). Yet, manual paddle shifters satisfy your engine-revving mood when desired. Of course, I quickly dialed in the Sport choices that tighten up the steering feel, suspension tautness and rev points to handle any winding road with aplomb. Hit those off-ramps with glee. Yet, it didn’t needlessly kick up the RPMs when cruising.
The standard sport-oriented 4MATIC All-Wheel Drive feels very planted, confident and secure. Even with the low-profile rubber, it soaks up the numerous North Texas road imperfections with aplomb. Power to all tires makes it less risky to spin out when mashing the pedal. It can raise another 1.2” to clear speed bumps.
Large front and rear AMG High-Performance Composite Braking stops you in assured fashion. Mileage is quoted at an unsurprising 13/20. But the smiles per mile make it more than worthwhile. Top speed is 196 mph.
CABIN
For six-figures, the AMG GT 55 Coupe’s interior is sufficiently sublime. Top-notch materials, abundant contrast stitching, supple and gorgeous quilted Black Nappa leather seats surround you in utter magnificence. The beefy flat-bottom sport AMG steering wheel is adorned in microfiber/carbon fiber and is heated. Thoughtful buttons on the wheel allow for easy changes to the driving setup.
Those fabulously comfortable power front seats heat and ventilate with adjustable lumbar and massaging settings, providing a terrific gift after a long day on the links. I desperately want one for my office desk.
Large doors on the coupe require a committed push to completely close. Maybe AMG will include soft-closing doors next go-round.
A large fixed panoramic roof illuminates the cabin, and unique turbine air vents go red or blue depending on the selected temperature. The abundant carbon fiber trim is perfect. Cool turbine vents offer a nice party trick when turning red or blue depending on the selected temperature.
Cabin room is surprisingly decent in the 2+2 configuration, although the “back seat” mostly works for carry bags, etc. Sightline visibility is good for a low-slung car. Storage is okay for knickknacks, yet the rear cargo room ranges from 11.3 to 23.8 cu.ft. with the back seats folded. A large hatch allows for easy access.
TECH CHECK
The updated technology is truly Mercedes-Benz impressive. 64-color LED ambient lighting mirrors your every mood. A programmable and non-glare 12.3” instrument cluster and 11.9” touchscreen infotainment screen are lovely. There’s even an upscale IWC chronograph displayed when the mood strikes.
An optional Head-Up Display is crystal clear; displaying speed limits, traffic signs/alerts and help warn the driver when a pedestrian or vehicle is on track to collide with the vehicle.
Apple CarPlay/Android Auto interfacing are standard. The crystal-clear Burmester Surround System is spectacular. It combines analog and digital signals plus virtual noise compensation to deliver the most natural sound spectrum in any musical genre – especially when blasting down the road with the windows down. Robust safety features include standard forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, standard adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.
The 2024 Mercedes AMG GT 55 Coupe continues to raise the formidable bar in the premium luxury roadster market. One passenger noted it’s a “world-class cruiser with a decidedly mischievous alter ego brimming with charisma and character.” Excellent reliability and top safety ratings round out an exemplary package for those desiring worthy performance, nimble handling, sexy lines and technology. I strongly suggest you give it a go and soak up the intoxicating engine rumble.
SCORECARD
Golf Bags: One in the rear (driver removed)
Curbside Appeal: Sinfully delicious (cue drooling valets)
0-60: 3.2 seconds
MPG: 13/20.
Must Haves: Everything
Warranty: 4-yrs/50,000 miles
Base Price: $134,900
Price as Tested: $158,845
Who Buys It? Those desiring a gorgeous rocket to attack the roads or just cruise
Finish Line: Decidedly upscale package of performance, luxury and flair
Test drive the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GT 55 Coupe at Park Place Motorcars in Dallas, Arlington and Ft. Worth