There are cars that you drive, and then there are cars that you experience. The latest Mercedes-AMG GT 63 is unequivocally the latter. It’s a machine that transcends mere transportation, a grand tourer that is somehow more thrilling than a roller coaster and a work of art worthy of its own gallery.
Finished in a breathtaking coat of Hypermagno Blue, my review model did more than just sit there; it held court. The neighbours’ curtains began to twitch, their daily routines diverted by a need to walk past, circle it, and wonder if I’d become a drug dealer or simply won the lotto. That’s the kind of presence this car commands. It’s a statement, a rolling sculpture of intent that announces its arrival with unapologetic confidence.
Design: Aggression Meets Elegance
Forget the dull greys and blacks that often adorn press cars; this Hypermagno Blue is a colour that not only attracts the sunlight but the entire neighbourhood along with it. Mercedes has taken the already stunning GT formula and cranked up the GTiness and stunningness (I don’t care if neither of those are words) to level 11. The first thing that assaults your senses is the front end. A massive power bulge on the long, elegant bonnet hints at the monstrous V8 lurking beneath, elevating the car’s aggressive posture. Below it, the signature AMG Panamericana grille is set low and wide, creating what can only be described as a “big gob” that looks poised to devour every inch of tarmac and airflow ahead of it.
Flanking this maw are the sophisticated LED headlights, which feature distinctive three-pronged Daytime Running Lights (DRLs), a subtle but clear signifier that you are looking at a top-tier AMG model. But the design is not just for show. An active aerodynamic scoop in the lower front valance can move forwards and backwards at the push of a button, hunkering the nose down for increased stability when you’re driving fast, and in this car, you will be driving fast.
The profile is pure, classic grand tourer. It’s a 2+2 coupe with a beautifully long bonnet, minimal front and rear overhangs, and a cabin set far back towards the driven wheels. The wheel arches are wide and flared, perfectly framing the massive 21-inch wheels that look simply magnificent when glimpsed through the door mirrors. Housed within those wheels are enormous brake calipers, a necessary and reassuring sight on a car with this level of performance, ready to stop you on a dime. This particular model, equipped with the carbon package, features carbon fibre mirror caps and a fixed rear spoiler, underlining its focus on aerodynamics. Even the flush door handles, which pop out to greet you, add to the sleek profile, though their lack of a soft-close function is a minor bugbear on a vehicle of this calibre.
The rear end is nothing short of breathtaking. It’s large, wide, and visually amplified by the massive tyres and the quad exhaust pipes housed within a carbon fibre diffuser. As I said before, unlike some models where the spoiler retracts, this GT features a fixed wing that constantly provides downforce, a permanent reminder of its track-bred capabilities. The three-point light signature is repeated in the taillights, ensuring its identity is unmistakable from any angle. And for a car so focused on performance, it offers a surprising degree of practicality; the tailgate opens to reveal a moderately-sized boot with enough room for several cabin bags, making it a perfect companion for a weekend getaway.
The Heart of the Beast – One Man, One Engine, All Power
At the core of every great AMG is its engine, and the GT 63 is no exception. Lifting the long bonnet reveals a masterpiece of engineering: a handcrafted 4.0-litre V8 Bi-turbo engine, assembled according to AMG’s revered “one man, one engine” philosophy. The turbos are nestled deep within the ‘hot V’ of the engine block, a design that improves throttle response and efficiency. This potent powerplant is mated to an AMG Speedshift 9-speed transmission that delivers phenomenal, lightning-fast shifts.
The numbers are simply staggering. The engine produces a colossal 430 kW of power and 800 Nm of torque. This torrent of power is sent to the ground via a sophisticated AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, resulting in a blistering 0-100 km/h time of just 3.2 seconds. Yes, the combined fuel efficiency is around 14 L/100 km, and yes, the emissions are what you’d expect from such a powerhouse, but c’mon, “none of that really matters because it is such a phenomenal, phenomenal machine”. This car is not about efficiency; it’s about emotion.
The Cockpit – A Luxurious Command Centre
The magic continues when you step inside. If the exterior is a promise of performance, the interior is the luxurious, tech-filled fulfilment of that promise. This particular car’s cabin is a stunning mix of two-tone leather, with black leather and white stitching on the upper dash flowing down to exquisite Crystal White Nappa leather on the lower dash, door cards, and seats. The seats themselves are classic AMG: thin, heavily bolstered, and designed to hold you firmly in place as you exploit the car’s cornering prowess.
The dashboard is dominated by the familiar dual-screen MBUX display, which integrates the digital instrument cluster and central infotainment screen into one seamless panel. While the system is common across the Mercedes range, it’s enhanced here with AMG-specific displays like G-force meters and the AMG Track Pace app. A 360-degree camera makes maneuvering this wide, low beast surprisingly manageable in town. Below the screens, the centre console features a carbon fibre inlay surrounding the controls for the cupholders and wireless charging pad.
The driver’s cockpit is where the real connection happens. The steering wheel is a work of art, with Alcantara (or ultrasuede) grips where your hands naturally fall and carbon fibre accents on the top and bottom. It feels special, sporty, and purposeful. Attached to the bottom of the wheel are two lovely rotary knobs, a signature AMG feature. These allow for instantaneous changes to driving modes and other critical settings, like the exhaust, which, of course, “must be at loud at all times”.
The Driving Experience – Pure, Unfiltered Joy
This is where all the design and engineering converge into an experience of pure, unadulterated exhilaration. The GT 63 is a phenomenal machine to drive. The simple act of finding an open piece of road and depressing the accelerator is an event. It just gets up to 100 with ease. Absolute simplicity. As a grand tourer designed for sightseeing, the only sight you’ll be seeing is the rapidly approaching horizon as you drive with eyes wide open and having fun.
The V8 soundtrack is central to the car’s personality. It adds so much character, and this particular V8, paired with the responsive gearbox and all-wheel-drive system, is exceptionally good. The exhaust creates an amazing symphony, a theatrical performance that AMG has perfected without it ever feeling overdone. The drive modes (Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Race) dramatically alter the car’s character. Each step up adds that extra bit of drama and joy to your drive, making the exhaust pop a little more and sharpening every response.
The handling is another revelation. The combination of all-wheel drive and all-wheel steer delivers incredible capability, but it takes getting used to. The steering is so precise and exact that it’s easy to misjudge a corner by turning in too quickly and easily. When you put your foot down, you get a shove that gives you the distinct sensation of sitting directly on top of the rear axle, which, in this car, you almost are.
Of course, no car is perfect. There’s a slight bit of wind noise from the mirror caps at speed, a ride that remains very hard on the rear suspension even in Comfort mode, and the sometimes-finicky haptic buttons on the steering wheel. However, these are minor gripes, and all of it is completely forgiven when you just put that foot down and listen to that engine roar and then just drive the hell out of this car.
An Unforgettable Special
The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 is not your regular press vehicle, nor is it a practical family SUV. It’s a “specialised vehicle for special people that just deserve something special”. It is loud, raucous, and slightly rebellious, a car that fits a personality that values excitement and engagement above all else. It has a surprisingly usable boot, but the rear seats are for very short trips or, ahem, your mistress?
Ultimately, this car is a celebration of the internal combustion engine and the joy of driving. It’s a formula that just works: a massive engine up front, the driver sitting over the rear axle, and a design that turns heads everywhere it goes. It is, in every sense of the word, a special car. Long live the GT.
