2025 Mercedes-AMG GT 43: Four Cylinders For Over $100,000

• The AMG GT lineup is no longer V8-only.
• The 2025 AMG GT 43 has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder under its hood.
• It still packs plenty of power and has a much lower cost of entry.

The AMG GT family has long been defined by the V8s Mercedes crams under the hood, but recently the trend of downsizing has taken hold. The 2025 GT 43 is the newest example of this particularly un-AMG ethos. The GT 43 takes the body of the GT, rips out the V8, and slots in a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. 

That might sound like sacrilege right out of the gate, but there is some recourse here. For starters, that little four-cylinder makes 416 horsepower — just 53 horsepower less than the much pricier GT 55, which features double the displacement, cylinders and turbochargers. The GT 43 also sends all that grunt to the rear wheels only. V8-powered AMG GTs have all four wheels driven for the sake of grip. But rear-wheel drive means you might get a more playful back end and sharper steering because it isn't corrupted by extra drive shafts.

Mechanically, the GT 43 remains quite similar to other GT models. The one major omission is the lack of air suspension. The GT 43 comes with a more conventional set of springs and dampers, and while AMG's air suspension is an option, we're interested in seeing how the standard suspension differentiates the GT 43 from its burlier siblings. Other high-performance goodies like the carbon-ceramic brakes you can get on the GT 63 are unsurprisingly absent from the list of optional extras on the GT 43.

Inside you get the same interior that's found on the other GT models. The dual-screen layout with the portrait-style center display and configurable instrument cluster are both present and correct — as are the heated AMG bucket seats and the AMG-specific steering wheel. A few things do get left out of the GT 43 package, but you can add them back in as options. The 3D Burmester sound system, a head-up display, ventilated front seats, and the full raft of driver assistance features are stand-alone options. 

So what's the price of downsizing? Actually, not bad. The 2025 AMG GT 43 starts at $105,900 before destination charges are applied. Six figures for a four-cylinder might sound like far too much, but when you consider the GT 63 starts at over $180,000 and you still get the sleek proportions and the top-notch interior, those who prioritize presence over performance might just be inclined to go for the 43.