Chris Harris Drives new Mercedes AMG GT-S on Laguna Seca

[RPiM5]

Seems legit!

[Lalit@autocouture]

[clar]

Nice Starting to grow on me!

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by clar

Nice Starting to grow on me!

same here

[Vic55]

I like the car, the looks, and the decision to put in a DCT.. I wonder how the chassis and suspension will respond to the power and is it really as good a driver as a much less powerful 991.

[PetrolFumes]

Its not a BMW.

[gmfive]

The spoiler makes it look somewhat visually appealing which I realize, is purely subjective. A lot of ppl love the 911s, I find their "timeless" rounded edges and shapes rather boring. Doesn't look like anyone even pays attention anymore to all the 911s running around. Glad that Ferrari and Lamborgini have not gone down that path and continue to make sharp-looking monsters. The giant silvery center console of the AMG GT might be a bit distracting.. but now, I want to test drive this car, growing on me too. Solid exhaust note for a turbo.

[clar]

Originally Posted by MPowerrF10

Its not a BMW.

Precisely that, which is why it would shine. BMW is too conservative with their product offerings and content with making above average cars. Some clowns in their senior management recently declared that the sports car market is dead to justify not making a supercar. I am profoundly disappointed by BMW over this and worst, they have all the technological know how to produce a world beating supercar! If only them bean counters stop getting in the way of those nut heads in the M division and let them loose...

[Blackraven]

Exterior is WAY BETTER than the SLS Gullwing
Interior is also TO DIE FOR



That interior (along with the interior of the C217 S65 AMG COUPE) are the nicest interiors from MB so far)



The only verdict is as to whether enthusiasts will warm up to a 4.0 liter turbo vs the 6.2-6.3 liter NA V8 of the SLS AMG Gullwing.......

[soooma]

Finally DCT

[elitex]

I wonder how much it'll cost. I am liking it a lot also.

[Blackraven]

Originally Posted by soooma

Finally DCT

The previous-gen model (SLS Gullwing) already had DCT.......but Chris Harris and many automotive journalists pointed out that it was less refined and MB admitted that the early-gen unit wasn't as polished as measures were needed to protect the hardware.

This DCT Gearbox used in this new AMG GT is improved further so it can handle more abuse and more performance as needed =)

[thebishman]

Originally Posted by Vic55

I like the car, the looks, and the decision to put in a DCT.. I wonder how the chassis and suspension will respond to the power and is it really as good a driver as a much less powerful 991.

From all accounts thus far Vic, it seems as if dynamically the car is a hit due to more of a mid engine design, excellent race inspired suspension components and hydraulic steering. The engine is far from being stressed at this current power point too it seems.

I have wondered about the styling of the car as it seems a bit 'off' to me, but apparently it looks much better in the flesh.

Would love to hear your thoughts when you've driven one.

Bish

[Vic55]

Originally Posted by thebishman

From all accounts thus far Vic, it seems as if dynamically the car is a hit due to more of a mid engine design, excellent race inspired suspension components and hydraulic steering. The engine is far from being stressed at this current power point too it seems.

I have wondered about the styling of the car as it seems a bit 'off' to me, but apparently it looks much better in the flesh.

Would love to hear your thoughts when you've driven one.

Bish

Yes indeed Bish, Ill need to drive it. The problem is the local dealers wont allow any miles on the first deliveries and I probably am not an early adopter on this unit. But Ive said that before with my GTR, 997.1 TT, F10 M5, CLS63TT, 991 TT-S, RS7, Jag F Type R, and few others

[RPiM5]

Originally Posted by clar

Precisely that, which is why it would shine. BMW is too conservative with their product offerings and content with making above average cars. Some clowns in their senior management recently declared that the sports car market is dead to justify not making a supercar. I am profoundly disappointed by BMW over this and worst, they have all the technological know how to produce a world beating supercar! If only them bean counters stop getting in the way of those nut heads in the M division and let them loose...

Clar, I agree man. BMW has never been in the business of directly fighting Porsche. Now Mercedes, McLaren and even Cadillac are outright going public and stating they now or are going to be make cars just as good, if not better than the 911. Although McLaren is taking the opposite approach by descaling their products to meet the price ranges of a 911. Although, some real BMW Sports cars may be on the horizon (i9 and ///M8), we still won't see anything from BMW in terms of a built from the ground up sports car for a very long time. Instead, BMW concentrating on drastically improving upon where they know they will succeed (M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7) because they are innovating in new ways with these time tested products, such as drastic weight reduction through the mass production of CFRP. For example, a Porsche 991 911 weights around 3,200lbs empty-ish. What if the next M3/M4 were to weigh 3,100-3,200lbs but still retain all of the utility and technology that comes with them, you know; big trunk, actually comfortable backseat, lane departure warning, all that crap, all the stuff the 911 can't have because it's a pure sports car. Could a car like that be a 911-fighter too?! I don't know.

Mercedes seems to be taking the direct approach by also building an affordable, built from the ground up (well pretty much) sports car to rival the 911 in power, performance, and handling. I for one am excited about the new McLaren P13, or whatever they are going to call it. I wonder if Cadillac will able to pull off their hefty claims as well, we'll see. One thing that is funny though is that all these companies are using the title 911-fighter, when what I really think they should be calling them is 911-Turbo fighters, since the price range of the Merc GT-S and McLaren P13 are not going to be in the same base starting price range of the regular 911 Carrera with 350hp. I still can't see Cadillac pricing a car over $100,000 dollars. Lol!

[URBAN LEGEND]

Sounding good.

[thebishman]

Originally Posted by Vic55

Yes indeed Bish, Ill need to drive it. The problem is the local dealers wont allow any miles on the first deliveries and I probably am not an early adopter on this unit. But Ive said that before with my GTR, 997.1 TT, F10 M5, CLS63TT, 991 TT-S, RS7, Jag F Type R, and few others

Somehow I have faith you'll find a way Vic! lol

Btw did you see the new Z06 turned out 585hp/617ft lb at the wheels stock?

Bish

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by elitex

I wonder how much it'll cost. I am liking it a lot also.

I think I read somewhere weeks ago starting price is about 120K

[clar]

I am actually not getting my hopes up too high when it comes to weight loss with the next gen BMWs. While they are extending use of CFRP to certain load bearing elements, they are not making an entire CF tub for the cars. Without that, I do not foresee tremendous weight losses for the models. I am thinking maybe 250 lbs tops. BMWs are too heavily laden with creature comforts to loose serious weight. Another thing I am really annoyed with BMW is their obsession with their previous M1 "supercar." That "heritage" does not resonate with a vast majority of BMW buyers these days. I am 42 and that car means nothing to me. They really need to get their heads out of their asses and quit regurgitating M1 each time they talk about producing a supercar. That car is hideous to begin with. They need to start with a clean slate and engineer something truly awesome, and please, try not to make it look similar to the old M1. I have a lot of respect for Honda for the efforts they are putting into the next NSX.

On the topic of 911s, I think Porsche has rested on their laurels for far too long. Porsche, like BMW M, is seeing their competitors catching up and leap frogging them. The 2nd generation of Mclarens should be really exciting considering they were able to do battle with the likes of Ferrari and Lambo with their first generation offerings.

Originally Posted by RPiM5

Clar, I agree man. BMW has never been in the business of directly fighting Porsche. Now Mercedes, McLaren and even Cadillac are outright going public and stating they now or are going to be make cars just as good, if not better than the 911. Although McLaren is taking the opposite approach by descaling their products to meet the price ranges of a 911. Although, some real BMW Sports cars may be on the horizon (i9 and ///M8), we still won't see anything from BMW in terms of a built from the ground up sports car for a very long time. Instead, BMW concentrating on drastically improving upon where they know they will succeed (M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7) because they are innovating in new ways with these time tested products, such as drastic weight reduction through the mass production of CFRP. For example, a Porsche 991 911 weights around 3,200lbs empty-ish. What if the next M3/M4 were to weigh 3,100-3,200lbs but still retain all of the utility and technology that comes with them, you know; big trunk, actually comfortable backseat, lane departure warning, all that crap, all the stuff the 911 can't have because it's a pure sports car. Could a car like that be a 911-fighter too?! I don't know.

Mercedes seems to be taking the direct approach by also building an affordable, built from the ground up (well pretty much) sports car to rival the 911 in power, performance, and handling. I for one am excited about the new McLaren P13, or whatever they are going to call it. I wonder if Cadillac will able to pull off their hefty claims as well, we'll see. One thing that is funny though is that all these companies are using the title 911-fighter, when what I really think they should be calling them is 911-Turbo fighters, since the price range of the Merc GT-S and McLaren P13 are not going to be in the same base starting price range of the regular 911 Carrera with 350hp. I still can't see Cadillac pricing a car over $100,000 dollars. Lol!