[Taboleo] Comfortable Yet Full of Driving Pleasure: Mercedes-Benz AMG GT43 and CLS 53

'AMG GT 43 4MATIC+' Combining Performance and Versatility
'AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+' with Sports Car Spirit in Luxury

The New Mercedes-AMG GT 43 4MATIC+ (left), The New Mercedes-AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+
Photo by Mercedes-Benz Korea

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] High-performance brands of overseas automakers such as Mercedes-Benz's 'AMG', BMW's 'M', and Audi's 'RS' are considered dream brands for car enthusiasts. You can comfortably drive the vehicle on a daily basis while still feeling thrilling speed and cornering whenever you want.

Recently, at a media test drive event held at AMG Speedway in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, I had the opportunity to experience Mercedes-Benz's high-performance brand 'AMG'. The 'Yongin AMG Speedway' is a circuit with a total length of 4.346 km and 16 corners. To sum up my brief experience driving an AMG, my conclusion was 'I want to own one.' It offered both comfort and driving pleasure.

At the event, the AMG GT 43 4MATIC+ and AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+ were also unveiled. These are facelift models. Although the actual driving time was not very long, the exterior was attractive and the interior exuded luxury.

The AMG GT 43 4MATIC+ is a facelift of the AMG GT 4-door coupe. The experience on the circuit was thrilling. The corners were smoothly taken, and on the straight sections, the speed rapidly increased as soon as I pressed the accelerator, pressing my body into the seat. The popping sounds made my heart race.

It is equipped with a 6-cylinder gasoline engine featuring a 48-volt electrical system and an integrated starter-generator. It delivers a maximum output of 367 horsepower and a peak torque of 51.0 kg·m. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds. The 'AMG Dynamic Select' is also standard, allowing the driver to choose driving programs from 'Comfort' mode for smooth driving to 'Sport+' mode according to their preference. The AMG GT 43 4MATIC+ is priced at 143.1 million KRW, and the AMG GT 43 4MATIC+ Special Edition is 169.6 million KRW.

Following the AMG GT 43 4MATIC+, I also experienced the AMG CLS 53 4MATIC+. This is the third-generation facelift model. It features a dedicated vertical radiator grille, and carbon fiber side mirrors and spoilers, expressing an overall 'I am AMG' statement.

This model is equipped with the same 6-cylinder gasoline engine with a 48-volt electrical system and integrated starter-generator as the GT 43 4MATIC+. However, due to tuning and weight differences, it delivers higher maximum output (435 horsepower) and peak torque (53 kg·m). It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds.

What stood out most was the seat inflating to support the body when entering corners during driving, aiding stable cornering. This is thanks to the multi-contour seats. Additionally, the acceleration was more intense than the GT 43 4MATIC+. On the straight track, it quickly surged up to 180 km/h. The ride comfort was also better. While the GT 43 4MATIC+ felt somewhat firm, the CLS 53 4MATIC+ was softer, making it comfortable for everyday driving. The selling price is 131.1 million KRW.

Mercedes-AMG vehicles.

Photo by Mercedes-Benz Korea

At the event, in addition to circuit driving, we also experienced a gymkhana course. This allowed us to test the AMG models' cornering ability and slalom performance. We could freely test bold handling and braking performance that are impossible on public roads, making it a time to truly feel 'This is AMG.'