Mercedes-AMG GT S Put To The Test — How Fast Does She Go?

By Jobo

A thunderous roar sends the butterflies in my stomach into a fluttering frenzy. And within a matter of seconds, 3.8 seconds to be precise, I was clocking 100km/h and was approaching turn 1 at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC). This is high-speed stuff, I told myself, stay calm.

When suddenly...

I woke up to realise, this was all just a dream that played on a loop every night since Mercedes-Benz India invited me to drive their latest high-performance AMG sports car at BIC.

2:00 p.m.
BIC reality check: A price tag of Rs. 2.40 crore hangs off this sweet drive! And a motor racing circuit to do a few hot laps in one of the best 500bhp-plus, eight-figure GT cars in the world. After this reality check, I was like a cat on hot bricks.

Introducing the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S: At first glance, I notice that the AMG GT S radiates a strong visual appeal with a dynamic upright radiator grille and a Ford Mustang fastback style rear.

mercedes amg gt s front grille

Mercedes-Benz has got it right with the design, and I'm sure it won't take you too long either, to fall in love with this high-performance AMG. I did however, wonder if she is just eye-candy, or maybe she was a pure sports car too. One way or another, she certainly had my heart racing.

If all this hasn't got you excited yet, then let's move on to the main event — How fast does she go?

mercedes amg gt s test drive buddh circuit

5:15 p.m.
After a long wait, finally, my turn arrived; this is not a dream, and as I settled down in the cockpit — which looked like a cockpit of a fighter jet — I realised, from behind the wheel, it feels like you're seated in the last row of an empty airport shuttle bus. This Merc has an extremely vast bonnet, big enough to accommodate an Indian joint family.
mercedes amg gt s side profile

5:16 p.m.
While I was fixated on how she was dressed, I quickly reminded myself that the sole purpose I came out here was not to break down the design elements, but to push the limits of this car and see if the AMG GT S can put my driving skills to the test.

As you can imagine, there was an explosion of horsepower! The power is pure exhilaration personified.

The twin-turbo V‑8 engine produces 503bhp with minimal turbo lag, which results in breakneck straight-line acceleration. With the AMG GT S setup in race mode and with the electronic stability program (ESP) on the job, I managed a winged out 250km/h at the end of the long straight (1060 metres) between corners 3 and 4.

I've been fortunate enough to lap the BIC quite a few times, but not once did I manage to get the banked multi-apex turn 10–11–12 sequence right, which is one of the most notable sections of the circuit.

But this time around, I did. Was it just me, or the AMG GT S? I kid, of course. The AMG GT S speed-sensitive electronic steering and traction received from the rear-axle locking differential, made this challenging sequence seem like Captain Hardy was in full control of this ship. After which, piloting the AMG GT S through turns 13–14–15 was child's play.

5:20 p.m.
Lap 1 completed and midway through lap 2, my nerves had settled down (slightly), and the only other thing I quickly noticed was the rear and side visibility being a tad bit minimal. But should I care enough, and is this a strong message from Mercedes-Benz that the AMG GT S is not the globe-trotting kind?

The AMG GT S version I drove is sassy, powerful, and agile. And overall, is a credible Porsche 911 rival.

Mercedes-AMG GT S specifications
Price: Rs. 2.4 crore ex-showroom (Delhi)
Engine: 3982cc, V8
Power: 503bhp @ 6250rpm
Torque: 650Nm @ 1750 - 4750rpm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Performance: 0-100km/h in 3.8sec
Top speed: 310km/h
Fuel: Petrol | 75-litres tank capacity
Launch details: On sale now

YouTube Video: Mercedes-AMG GT S at BIC

The Powerful Mercedes-AMG GT S captured in pictures

mercedes amg gt s front profile
mercedes amg gt s rear profile
mercedes amg gt s interior
mercedes amg gt s interior design
mercedes amg gt s driver side
mercedes amg gt s at bic
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Read more on: #review #mercedes benz
Article Published On: Friday, November 27, 2015, 20:27 [IST]
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