The fourth episode of Top Gear's Season 22 was host to a number of shenanigans from the three nutty presenters, one of which was a... let's call it review, of the Mercedes-AMG GT-S. Since the model is brand new, the review was also followed by a power lap of the Top Gear test track on the Dunsfold Aerodrome. As jaw-dropping as it may sound, the GT S posted a time of 1:17.5, which not only makes it faster than cars like the Koenigsegg CCX->ke567 (with the Top Gear wing), 2012 Nissan GT-R and the Bugatti Veyron,->ke1112 but it also makes it the fastest Mercedes-Benz->ke187 to ever run on the famed airfield track.

To put it into perspective, the track-focused and more powerful SLS AMG Black Series posted a time of 1 minute and 19 seconds, despite its wheels wearing sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and GT3-inspired aero. This may seem unlikely, but The Stig's YouTube channel recently posted the onboard video of the lap.

As you can see, the Mercedes-AMG GT S looks pretty composed, especially compared with the "steering wheel wrestling" that seemed to take place during the Lamborghini Huracan's->ke4345 lap. On the other hand, I think The Stig may have short-shifted a few times, making me wonder if an even better time could have been possible.

Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes-AMG GT S.

Why it matters

Even though it is largely based on a shortened and improved SLS AMG platform, the Mercedes-AMG GT occupies a niche in a less rarefied spectrum of sports cars. The model goes head-to-head with the Porsche 911 Carrera when in Mercedes-AMG GT guise and against the 911 Carrera GTS when in - you guessed it - GT S guise. Unlike the 911, the Merc only offers two seats, but it tries to make up for the reduced number of passengers with two more cylinders and two turbochargers sitting inside the cylinder banks of its V-8.

Powered by a twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V-8 that delivers 456 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque in the base model and 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque in the GT S, it can accelerate from 0-60 mph in either 3.9 or 3.7 seconds, respectively. Paired with a revamped version of the seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission from the SLS AMG, it looks like the Mercedes-AMG GT and GT S are forces to be reckoned with, on the track and on the road.

Mercedes-AMG GT S