It’s not often that a vehicle as extraordinary as the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S graces your driveway. My anticipation was high as I prepared to spend a week behind the wheel of Mercedes’ contender against the iconic Porsche 911. My previous encounter was limited to a single exhilarating lap at Road America, but this extended test drive allowed me to accumulate 342 miles and truly understand what it’s like to daily drive this stunning coupe. Here are my key takeaways after a week with this $146,330 marvel.
Unleashing Untapped Performance on City Streets
The reality of driving in Chicago, with its grid layout and less-than-perfect road surfaces, often stifles driving enjoyment. However, I sought out opportunities to explore the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S’s capabilities. Freeway on-ramps served as makeshift acceleration zones, cloverleaf exits became impromptu skidpads, and a brief stretch of Sheridan Road in Winnetka offered a glimpse of winding roads reminiscent of California’s scenic routes, albeit compressed into a mere three-quarters of a mile. Pushing the GT S in these environments quickly revealed that its immense power and razor-sharp handling far exceed what is comfortably usable, or advisable, on public roads.
However, memories of my Road America lap in May resurfaced, highlighting key aspects of the GT S’s track prowess. The car’s turn-in response is nothing short of magical, complemented by steering that is both lightning-quick and brimming with feedback. Most notably, the stability at high speeds was truly impressive. Reaching 138 mph while navigating Road America’s Kettle Bottoms towards Canada Corner – a challenging section after the notorious “kink” – demands courage and trust to maintain full throttle while leaning the car into the turn. This speed, my personal best through that section, was achieved thanks to the planted and confidence-inspiring stability of the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S.
Dynamic Select: Tailoring the Drive from Relaxed to Race-Ready
The inherent firmness of the GT S’s ride quality dictates that most drivers will gravitate towards the Dynamic Select Drive’s Comfort setting for daily driving. While Comfort mode makes the ride palatable for everyday use, it noticeably dampens the engine’s responsiveness, particularly from a standstill. In fact, the twin-turbo V-8 can feel as though it suffers from considerable turbo lag in this mode. Fortunately, engaging Sport, Sport +, and Race modes unlocks the car’s exhilarating potential. Sport mode remains agreeable for street driving while providing easier access to the engine’s power. Sport + and especially Race mode keep the engine perpetually on high alert, ideally reserved for track days or exhilarating drives on deserted canyon roads – a luxury sorely missed around Chicago, especially when piloting a tour de force like the GT S.
A True Contender in the 911 Arena
Mercedes-Benz is traditionally associated with luxury and comfort, yet the 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S emerges as a formidable rival to the benchmark of sporty dynamics, the Porsche 911 Carrera. In terms of power and price, the GT S aligns more closely with the 911 Turbo. While the Porsche may possess marginally sharper handling and a slightly more forgiving ride, it lacks the visual drama of the Mercedes and its ubiquity diminishes its exclusivity. The prospect of a more accessible, lower-priced GT model to directly challenge the 911 Carrera S is enticing. Naturally, the allure of experiencing a higher-performance Black Series variant is equally strong.
