Can Mercedes-AMG GTR Knock Off Porsche 911 GT3RS’ Crown?

AMG GTR packs more power and more technology, making it worthy of stealing Porsche’s ‘King of the Track’ title.

Vehicle Virgins‘ Parker Nirenstein recently got ahold of a Mercedes-AMG GTR, and the host spent some time behind the wheel in hopes of answering the question of whether or not this car is better than the Porsche 911 GT3RS.

The video begins with Nirenstein walking around the outside of the Mercedes-Benz AMG GTR, talking about the key features that make it so special. He talks about the twin turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with 577 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, allowing this car to lap the Nurburgring in just seven minutes and eleven seconds.

Nirenstein also looks at all of the key exterior styling points, such as the flared fenders, the long hood, the carbon fiber roof, the huge rear wing and the unique exhaust system with three outlet points. At around the five-minute mark, the video gives us a chance to hear the GTR revving and it sounds pretty sweet, but nowhere near as good as it does on the open road.

This first segment also includes pricing information, with the AMG GTR starting at $157,000 while options of this test car lift the price up to $184,000. One of the more expensive upgrades was the satin green paint, which added $9,900 to the bottom line, but the lightweight wheels added just $500.

Driving the AMG GTR

When the host of the channel takes to the road in the Mercedes-Benz AMG GTR, he starts by giving us a look at just some of unique features of this new supercar. Of course, the cabin is wrapped in leather and alcantara, with a spread of carbon fiber trim and lots of buttons. He walks us through all of the performance-oriented buttons and knobs, including the nine-stage traction control system and the “loud exhaust button”.

He doesn’t love the location of the shifter or the “dated” infotainment system, but the Vehicle Virgins host loves everything else about the cockpit of the AMG GTR.

As for the actual driving time with the AMG GTR, the host of the video has nothing negative to say about the sleek Benz fastback. He loves how the rear-steering system improves cornering, the loves the steering feel and he loves the sound of the car while rocketing through a series of twisty roads. He calls it one of the best cars that he has ever driven, stating that he is now sorry that he bought an E63 rather than the new GTR.

Final Verdict

Nirenstein pays this AMG GTR the ultimate compliment for a reviewer – that he would spend his own money on this car. Is it better than the Porsche 911 GT3RS? Check out the video for his breakdown.

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com

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