Formula 1 drivers get great company cars.
You or I might be treated to a branded coffee cup when starting a new job, but Grand Prix stars who sign for a top team are treated to a set of high-performance wheels with the company badge on the bonnet.
At Mercedes, that car is the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro.
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It’s a two-door performance coupe intended to make people think twice about a new Porsche 911, Corvette or Ferrari.
And it’s what F1 drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli get to drive.
Or got to drive, in Antonelli’s case, because the Italian teenager only lasted a couple of days with his V8 monster before crashing in San Marino this year.
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Which is a shame as there is no doubt that this is a beautiful car.
This second-generation Mercedes-AMG GT is a shapely thing with a long bonnet, generous curves and elegant details.
More practical than the original that debuted in 2014, the current model introduced all-wheel-drive and moved the gearbox from the rear axle to under the bonnet, making room for back seats to trade weight distribution for practicality.
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It is a better daily driver than before, and is even available with four-cylinder and hybrid power to broaden its appeal.
But the car in front of you isn’t a four-cylinder model or a hybrid.
It’s the fiercest V8 in the Mercedes-AMG range today.
At least until a rumoured fire-breathing “Black Series” model debuts later this year.
Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, the “Pro” version of the GT 63 makes 450kW and 850Nm, up from 430kW and 800Nm maximums of the standard car.
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That translates to a 3.2 second dash to 100km/h, and a 317km/h top speed.
Revised aerodynamics promise increased grip at speed, as well as improved cooling when pushed to the limit.
You also get lightweight wheels, carbon ceramic brakes and a clever data management system that can help you become a better driver.
On the inside, bucket seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel speak to its track-honed intent.
No, it’s not as wild as the last AMG Coupe to wear the “Pro” badge – that thing had harnesses, a roll cage and adjustable aero elements borrowed from the world of racing.
This is more of a luxury bruiser, closer in nature to Porsche’s luxurious 911 Turbo than the stripped-back GT3 RS.
We experienced the AMG at Phillip Island, home of the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.
It’s the perfect place to understand how Mercedes-AMG use tech to tame its wildest car.
The new all-wheel-drive system, more sophisticated traction control and active suspension on the latest Mercedes-AMG GT have transformed the car.
What used to be a hair-raising, white knuckle ride is now an exercise in composure and control.
The big coupe feels planted through sweeping bends, imperious in braking zones and has traction for days.
No, it’s not as raw as the previous model. But that will be a good thing for the majority of owners.
Unlike the original Mercedes-AMG GT, you can use more of the V8’s grunt without worrying if it will buck you like a rodeo bull.
And for folks who want a wilder experience, you can make the car more tail-happy with AMG Dynamics settings with “Pro” and “Master” modes best tried on track.
You can even make it rear-wheel-drive with a drift mode that promises to be a wild ride.
And a more intense successor to the range-topping “Black Series” is on the way, too.
But for now, this is all the Mercedes muscle car you could want.
Priced from $418,900 plus options and on-road costs (you’ll get change from $500,000 drive-away), extras include a blacked-out $1900 “night package” and $5200 in carbon-fibre trim.
If you want the full F1 experience, a stunning motorsport collectors’ edition paint job with the black, silver and teal of the Mercedes Grand Prix team is available for an extra $150,000 or so.
Just don’t scratch it – you really wouldn’t want to have to make an awkward call to the boss.
MERCEDES-AMG GT 63 PRO
PRICE $418,900 plus on-road costs
ENGINE 4.0-litre V8-twin turbo, 450kW and 850Nm
WARRANTY 5-year, unlimited km
THIRST 14L/100km
CARGO 321 litres
SPARE Repair kit
