Mercedes-AMG GT v Porsche 911: old rivals meet for a rematch – car pictures of the week
The Mercedes-AMG GT and Porsche 911 have been locking horns for over a decade. Here are the best shots from their latest skirmish
Has Mercedes-AMG, with its twin-turbo V8-engined GT55, finally produced a sports car to best the Porsche 911? We took it and the latest 992.2 Porsche 911 Carrera S to the UK's North Pennines to find out in the April issue of evo, and these are the best images from Aston Parrott from that test.
Could Mercedes-AMG with its twin-turbo V8-engined GT55 have finally produced a sports car to best the Porsche 911? We took it and the latest 992.2up to the North Pennines to find out, and these are the best shots from the test.
Indeed the 911 is the standard by which all sports cars are measured and always the first option when anyone asks which they should buy. The question of what sports car you should buy almost always involves the option of the Porsche 911. There have been moments in the past where it’s fallen short of rivals, though – the Audi R8 V8 managed it out of the gates back in 2007, beating one of the best 911s no less, the 997.
The Merc could have a chance too. The 911 of today is a great car but on far from its best form. It’s bigger, heavier and shorn of the option of a manual (unless buying a GT3 or Carrera T). Due to noise and emissions regulations, its flat-six engine is far from the most characterful it’s ever been either.
Advantage AMG, given the rumbling 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine soldiers on regardless and arguably is more vocally expressive. Even in spite of being subject to the same rules and even in this de-tuned 469bhp GT55 form.
Ultimately, it’s up to evo’s Deputy Editor James Taylor to decide on which takes the win and you can read his feature in this month’s evo, issue 344. Pick it up in-store or online. Here’s an excerpt as a teaser:
‘Like characters in ancient legend, the AMG GT and Porsche 911 have always been destined to cross swords. This second-gen GT, launched in 2023, has morphed into a different animal to the original, with all-wheel drive as standard on V8 models and the option of a second row of seats. This makes it a more well-rounded proposition than ever – and, in some ways, an even more direct 911 rival. Like the GT63, the 55 is powered by AMG’s ubiquitous 4-litre, twin-turbo, hot-vee V8 but with the wick digitally turned down to 469bhp and 516lb ft.
‘If the GT55 is the second rung on the AMG GT ladder, the Carrera S is the third in the 911 hierarchy. It’s much more powerful than the Carrera and Carrera T, its flat-six upgraded with the charge-air cooling system from the 992.1 Turbo and turbos from the 992.1 GTS, giving it a 473bhp peak. It’s a near-perfect match for the AMG GT55 on power but significantly less torquey, conceding 125lb ft to the AMG. On the flip side, it’s also nearly £22,000 cheaper.’
‘Could the GT55 be the sweet spot of the range? Might the same be true of the 911 Carrera S? And which is the most convincing car all-round? If we can stay afloat, this test will give us some answers.’ – James Taylor, evo Deputy Editor.
