When Mercedes-Benz introduced the AMG GT and GT S models in 2014, it did so knowing that when both models hit the market, it’s going to catch the eye of the aftermarket industry. Two years into its existence, that’s exactly what has happened to the AMG GTs. The GT S, in particular, has turned into quite the aftermarket darling with Piecha Design becoming the latest tuner to present its program for the sports car. While the kit itself is still incomplete – a debut has been set for September 4, 2016 – the tuner’s engine upgrade is already promising an output of 612 horsepower and 619 pound-feet of torque.

In addition to the modifications made to the AMG GT S’s 4.0-liter bi-turbo V-8 engine, Piecha Design is also preparing an aerodynamic body kit with plenty of carbon fiber bits. A new set of wheels is also included in the program, as are upgrades made to the car’s chassis and suspension. In other words, Piecha Design is working on a comprehensive tuning experience for the popular Mercedes sports car that should give all other tuning kits for the AMG GT S a run for their money.

The big question now is whether Piecha Design can deliver on its promise. From the looks of things, it’s well on its way down that road, but until the complete program is unveiled, it’s a little too early to pass any concrete judgments other than the parts of the kit that have already been mentioned on the tuner’s website.

Continue after the jump to read the full review.

2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S RSR By Piecha Design

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S RSR By Piecha Design
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 612
  • Torque: 619
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The tuner has yet to reveal the official items of the aerodynamic upgrades, but to be clear, this kit will have them in spades. Based on the renderings of the AMG GT S, it’s easy to spot some of the modifications, including the horizontal air splitters on the intakes and the cup wings underneath. New side blades can also be seen, as well as the wider arches on the rear and the new fixed rear spoiler. All these parts are made from carbon fiber so don’t expect the AMG GT S to be significantly heavier than the standard model.

A new set of wheels is also to be expected and from the look of those fitted into the car, these wheels appear to be about 20-inch in size. On the cosmetic side, Piecha Design is offering chrome relief logos, fender logos, and sill lights made up of eight LEDs, four on each side of the sports car.

Drivetrain

The highlight of Piecha Design’s tuning program for the AMG GT S is its very own PEC tuning module that’s also available for the less powerful AMG GT. The tuner has yet to specify the intricate work it did on the sports car’s 4.0-liter bi-turbo V-8, but it did say that upon completion, the AMG GT S will be capable of producing 612 horsepower and 619 pound-feet of torque, a nice improvement from the sports car’s standard output of 503 horses and 479 pound-feet of twist. Piecha didn’t expound on how the upgrade will affect the car’s acceleration time to 60 mph, but given that the standard model can do it in 3.7 seconds, a 3.5-second time with the upgrades in place is a possibility. On the other hand, the tuner did say that with the upgrades in place and the removal of the car’s Vmax limiter, the AMG GT S should be capable of reaching a top speed of 205 mph on peak condition tires. That represents an increase of 12 mph from the standard model’s 193-mph top speed.

Chassis and Suspension

Upgrades to the car’s chassis are also included in the program, most notably a spring kit that lowers the front end by as much as 0.98 inches and the rear end by 0.39 to 1.18 inches. Wheel spacers are also available in either 0.94 inches to 1.18 inches per axle.

Pricing

Pricing figures are still incomplete considering that the exterior kit has yet to be fully announced. That said, Piecha Design does have in its website the cost of the engine upgrade, which amounts to €4,998 or around $5,600 based on current exchange rates. Expect the total price to be significantly higher considering that those carbon fiber aero kits and wheels won't come cheap.

Competition

Mercedes-AMG GT S by RevoZport

There are no shortage of tuners that have taken a whip at developing a tuning kit for the Mercedes-AMG GT S. The most recent addition to this growing list comes by way of RevoZport, which unveiled its program in June 2016. The tuner’s program included exterior upgrades too, but the meat of it was the engine modification package that netted an output of 650 horsepower for the AMG GT S. RevoZport accomplished that by installing a free-flow intake system and a new and lighter titanium exhaust. A bespoke remapping of the 4.0-liter V-8’s engine control unit also contributed in the increased output. The results of the engine upgrade package allowed the AMG GT S to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.5 seconds to go with a top speed in the neighborhood of 200 mph.

Read our full review here.

Mercedes-AMG GT S by Mansory

From RevoZport, we go to one of the most famous Mercedes tuners in the business: Mansory. For its program, the German tuner whipped up an engine tuning kit that helped the AMG GT S increase its output to 730 horsepower, head and shoulders above what either Piecha Deisng and RevoZport were able to accomplish with their respective upgrades. The result is evident in the car’s performance times as Mansory was able to drop the AMG GT S’s 0-to-60-mph sprint time to just 3.4 seconds to go with a top speed of 205 mph.

Read our full review here.

Conclusion

It's still a half-baked program and Piecha Design said that the full reveal won't happen until September 2016. But based on what's already been revealed, this kit has a lot of promise in it. Let's just hope that the tuner can keep the cost down to a price that's within reason.