Mercedes-AMG GT 63 VS Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz published the pricing details of the AMG GT Coupe, the direct descendant of the beloved SLS. The range starts at $134,900 for the GT 55 and increases to $176,000 for the GT 63. While the pricing may seem steep, it’s worth remembering that the SLS debuted with an MSRP of $183,000. When accounting for inflation, that’s roughly $252,500, which is considered a fair market deal for an early model with less than 10,000 miles on the clock.
 

The SLS was always meant to be a limited-production model, which explains why prices are so high. During its short production run, Mercedes sold roughly 12,000 units, of which a third were Roadsters. The first-generation GT was more successful, with 17,000 units produced, not counting the record-breaking Black Series and the extremely-limited track-only special.
 
This brings us neatly to the all-new model, which looks like an absolute bargain compared to the SLS. What makes it even more impressive is that the latest AMG GT appears to be a much better car in every department, so we decided to compare old vs. new.
 
Design: Toned Down For Easier Access
It’s fair to say the Mercedes-AMG SLS made quite a statement when it first debuted. It had to, considering it was the first standalone AMG model, and Merc’s performance division had to design something extraordinary. Mercedes-AMG said it was a 300SL Gullwing for the modern world, which describes it beautifully. It had a comically long hood, a stumpy rear end, a hidden spoiler that wouldn’t spoil the overall design when parked, and two massive trapezoidal exhaust pipes. However, the most prominent design feature was the gullwing doors. Yes, they were impractical, hard to reach unless you were six feet tall, and they made you look like such a colossal show-off whenever you got out, but none of it mattered. The feel-good factor was off the charts.
 
Design experts across the globe agreed that it was magnificent to behold. The SLS won several design accolades despite its shortcomings. Mercedes-AMG was right on the money when it predicted that the world needed a high-performance homage to one of the most famous racers it had ever produced. The only issue is that the SLS cost a lot of money to build, but its popularity proved that there was room for a performance model above the SL.
 
The latest GT is an evolution of the first generation GT, which was an evolution of the SLS. Mercedes kept the overall Gullwing shape but improved the visibility even more and added all the latest lighting technology. The rear lights are now connected via an LED light bar, and instead of the dual exhaust pipes, you now get four angry-looking tips that make its intentions quite clear. It also has a decent-sized trunk and doors that open normally.
 
You’d never be able to tell by looking at a photograph, but the latest AMG GT is bigger and much fatter than the SLS, but there’s a good reason for this. More on that later.
 

Engine: Downsized, But Not Down On Power
The 2011 SLS and 2024 GT 63 are both equipped with iconic AMG engines. The SLS uses the famous naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine, producing 563 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. It’s a monster of an engine that AMG eventually had to replace because of emissions legislation. The GT 63 has the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that replaced the SLS’s NA engine and the 5.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 used in various AMG products. It’s an engineering masterpiece used in everything from sleek, high-end roadsters to off-road icons like the G-Class.
 
The 4.0 V8 produces 577 hp, only 14 horses more than the SLS’s NA engine. But the big difference is the torque, rated at 590 lb-ft. And unlike the naturally aspirated engine, which only started producing maximum torque close to 5,000 rpm, the new V8 gives you nearly 600 lb-ft to work with from 2,500 rpm. That torque is mighty helpful for blistering 0-60 mph times and epic in-gear acceleration. In most cases, the gearbox doesn’t have to gear down to overtake slower-moving traffic.
 
Drivetrain: More User Friendly
As for the drivetrain setup, there is one similarity and many differences. The one thing both have in common is an engine mounted as far back as possible to create a front mid-engine layout. That’s where the similarities end, however. The SLS used a transaxle layout and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission for better weight distribution. The power only went to the rear wheels, producing a rather wild ride on a wet road.
 
The second-gen AMG GT is more of a grand tourer. AMG dropped the dry sump engine and transaxle layout, making a nine-speed automatic and 4Matic+ all-wheel drive standard. There are both benefits and drawbacks. On the plus side, the 2024 GT is rapid in a straight line thanks to the AWD grip. Mercedes says it will reach 60 mph in 3.1 seconds with a limited top speed of 196 mph. The SLS needs 3.8 seconds to reach 60 mph, and the top speed is the same.
 
Because of the drastic changes underneath, the two cars behave quite differently. We understand why Mercedes-AMG chose to include AWD as standard. Transferring 600 horses to the road is difficult using only the rear wheels. It usually results in a wild ride when you switch the nannies off. Nearly all German automakers have adopted AWD to make their vehicles more user-friendly, and you can understand why now that we’re moving into an era where a BMW M5 will produce more than 700 hp. Modern cars also have adaptive suspension and rear-wheel steering to get around weight issues.
 
Still, we have to talk about fun. While it is fun to use more power more of the time, thanks to AWD, the SLS was a special car thanks to its penchant for going sideways. It wasn’t as gnarly as some would have you believe, but only if you kept the traction and stability control switched on. Even with the nannies switched off, it’s an easy car to drive in a hooligan-like fashion. Because you sit so far back, the car feels like it pivots around you. And you don’t need to pull any fancy tricks to get it to step out. All it takes is a basic Scandinavian Flick and mashing the throttle. Heck, you don’t even have to move that fast to do it.
 

Practicality: AMG GT 63 Is A Big Step Forward
The SLS AMG was a strict two-seater with a small trunk. It was perfect for a weekend away for two nudists, and that’s about it. Mercedes-AMG took a giant leap forward with the new GT because of its 2+2 interior layout.
Now, some people will argue that those rear seats don’t matter much, but tell that to a Porsche 911 owner. The rear seats are big enough for small kids, so you can keep your sports car for a few years longer. It’s also nice to have a trunk and an additional space behind the front seats where you can throw stuff. It’s a much bigger selling point than people like to believe, and one of the reasons why people refer to the Porsche 911 as the perfect everyday sports car. We’re actually surprised Mercedes didn’t make this move with the first-generation GT, as it was aimed directly at the 911. Obviously, it wasn’t going to make that mistake again.
 
The rear seats also fold flat, providing more than adequate trunk space. Two people can easily go on an extended holiday, and you don’t even need to order custom-made luggage.
 
Verdict: The Flawed Car Is A Better Investment
If you look at the used values of the first-generation AMG GT, it’s clear that it did not hold its value as well as the SLS. The same will likely be true of the second-generation model. It may be a more complete car and faster around a track, but there’s something special about the OG AMG standalone car.
 
The SLS was such a radical car in several different ways. The design is way out there, the hand-built engine is a masterpiece, and it has that unexplainable X-factor that makes a car cool. Yes, the more modern GT models are more affordable and also handsome, but the SLS will always be the first car designed and built entirely by the crazy people at AMG.
 
That makes it more special, which means its value will only go up over time. You might be making a saving by opting for the latest GT, but there’s a better chance that you’ll get all of your money back (maybe even more) when the time comes to sell it.