Some folks need the practicality of a four-door car but don’t want to give up the sexiness of a sports car. The sexy four-door vehicles that fit the bill are few and far between … such as the discontinued Aston Martin Rapide. One problem with the Rapide was its astronomical pricing, starting north of $200K. Another downfall is that, because Aston is a bespoke manufacturer, it can’t engineer the latest and greatest solutions for infotainment, safety and technology. It must rely on other manufacturers (such as Mercedes) for engines and transmissions, in addition to Tier One providers for technology. Others might look toward Porsche’s Panamera, and although beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you just can’t argue that the Panamera is a sexy ride.
So the obvious choice right now is the drop-dead gorgeous Mercedes AMG GT four-door coupe. When it was introduced in 2018, the base engine stickered the car north of $110,000. But for 2021, AMG has released a GT 43. It has a detuned engine and offers nearly all the performance at a very reasonable, for the class, $90,000. The build quality is phenomenal, and the looks are drop-dead gorgeous. When luxury SUVs are cresting over $100K, wouldn’t you consider something with four-wheel drive that you can’t stop ogling?
Next-Level Internal Combustion EQ Boost
The AMG GT 43 inline-6 is no slouch, featuring 362 horsepower, 369 lb-ft of torque and the sophisticated EQ Boost system. It adds up to an additional 21 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The EQ Boost uses the technology of an integrated motor between the motor and the transmission, in addition to an electric “supercharger” that eliminates turbo lag.
According to Mercedes, “The engine is supplemented with a powerful and efficient Integrated-Starter Generator, in addition to a powerful electric auxiliary compressor. This integrated electric motor system, known as EQ Boost, assists the combustion engine by adding up to 21 hp for short periods of time. EQ Boost also assists when accelerating, making driving without the combustion engine turned on possible and supplies the battery with power by means of high-efficiency recuperation. By doing so, it makes fuel savings possible that were previously the exclusive domain of high-voltage hybrid technology.”
In addition to the “entry-level” engine that is not short on technology, the AMG GT 43 provides a compelling combination of exceptional driving dynamics with everyday usability. To plant the power to the ground, the Mercedes 4MATIC all-wheel drive system uses variable torque distribution controlled by computers.
Buttons with Integrated LCD Screens!
On the technology front are the new-style Mercedes buttons and dials that feature integrated screens. For example, let’s say you toggle the button on the center stack that turns on the Sport exhaust system because you’ve left the neighborhood and you don’t want it to be quiet. A color LED representation of the exhaust system turns from white to orange to signal that it is engaged. We see more vehicles using this game-changing technology. It gives the information of a dashboard touchscreen coupled with the haptic feel of a hard button.
Similar dials on the steering wheel allow you to quickly adjust from Comfort mode to Sport mode with the AMG Ride Control sport suspension system.
The MBUX infotainment screen, which spreads across the dashboard and center stack, works as well as it does in other Mercedes offerings, including the least-expensive A-Class. The speech recognition works well. Just say “Hey Mercedes” and you don’t have dig through menus to turn a seldom-used feature on or off.
Burmester Audio Sounds Good
On the audio front, Mercedes partnered with Burmester for a High-End 3D Surround Sound System. The company tuned the systems for all occupants. Burmester touts it as a spacially balanced experience. It did sound good in all seating positions. The system uses 23 speakers, including a subwoofer, and 1,450 watts of power. Four speakers located in the roof with DSP tuning contribute even more spaciousness to expand the already excellent staging. The music is very lifelike, but even with some EQ tuning I would have liked a bit more punch from the subbass and midbass. However, the sound system is excellent and an excellent starting point to take it to breathtaking levels.
With the new AMG GT 43 Coupe, the company fills the needs of those looking for a vehicle that combines the impressive driving dynamics of a sports car, supermodel looks and everyday practicality. The four-door AMG GT 43 offers ample space for four passengers with the looks of a gorgeous coupe. Combined with a spaceship-like interior, it makes you wonder why you would want an expensive SUV if you never go off the beaten path.
