Mansory->ke3403 isn’t the type to do tuning projects for the sake of just doing them. Every project it takes, even the one for the Tesla Model S, carries with it a unique identity. Call it a personal touch, but you know that a tuning project was done by Mansory the moment you see it. Take this Mercedes-AMG GT S for example. It doesn’t look like an ordinary AMG GT S,->ke4853 does it?

The striking matte-finished grey body works with those red carbon fiber aerodynamic components and the wide body kit to create a meaner and sportier-looking sports car.->ke506 It’s that kind of delicate balance that Mansory has mastered in all its years in the business.

The other aspect of the German tuner’s brilliance lies in its ability to develop engine programs that produce different planes of power that the car isn’t used to. This kit is living proof of that, and without spoiling the details, I can tell you that the power upgrades in this program gives the AMG GT S enough horses to stare down the Ferraris->ke252 and Lamborghinis->ke44 of the world without even blinking.

I’ve seen some tuning programs for the AMG GT S ever since the sports car arrived in the latter part of 2014. But I still can’t help getting a smile on my face every time Mansory gets in on the fun.

Continue after the jump to read the full review.

2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S by Mansory

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 Mercedes-AMG GT S by Mansory
  • Engine/Motor: V8
  • Horsepower: 730
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

Like most of the tuner’s programs, special care was put into giving the AMG GTS a fully function aerodynamic kit. Mansory even went the wide body route for this particular kit with wheel arch extensions and extended side skirts that add close to 20 inches to the car’s overall width. The result not only gives the AMG GTS a much wider profile, it also opens up the possibility of fitting larger wheels and tires to the sports car, essentially making it fit to handle all the power gains from that power packing V-8 engine.

The AMG GT S also received a front lip spoiler and a ventilated carbon fiber hood on the front and a massive rear and diffuser at the back to help increase downforce and complete the carbon fiber overhaul. Rounding out the exterior changes is a new set of 21-inch “Spyder” lightweight alloy wheels wrapped in 245/30 and 305/25 tires in the front and rear, respectively.

Interior

There’s a lot to digest here even though technically, the AMG GT S’s interior configurations were left completely intact. All the changes are of the cosmetic variety with the red carbon fiber sports seats dressed in a hand-stitched, three-color premium leather upholstery. Red carbon fiber trim is also prominently visible on the sports steering wheel, door handles, center stack, and the air-conditioning vents. Mansory also added carbon fabric flooring, illuminated door sill pedals, and alloy pedals to complete the interior modifications of the sports car.

Drivetrain

Simple and straight-forward. That appears to be the approach Mansory took in putting in a lot of extra horses into the sports car’s 4.0-liter biturbo V-8 engine. It looks that away even though working on an engine like this still involves a lot of work. First, Mansory replaced the existing turbochargers with larger turbos. Then it installed a high-flow air filter to complement the bigger turbos and before adding an optimized ECU unit to bring the output up to 730 horsepower, an incredible 217-horsepower increase from the V-8’s standard output of 503 ponies.

The tuner didn’t mention the gains in torque, but it did say that the AMG GTS is now capable of sprinting from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds, four-tenths of a second quicker than the factory version. Top speed also improved to 205 mph, up from 193 mph.

Pricing

In keeping with tradition, Mansory didn’t reveal the overall price of the program. That’s to be expected since the tuner has never been the type to release prices, opting instead to let customers reach out to discuss which parts of the program they’d like to get. Since the price varies depending on what’s included, it’s best for interested parties to contact Mansory directly to get a price quote.

Competition

Mercedes-AMG GT S by Brabus

Let’s start the proceedings with a program from an aftermarket company that is considered Mansory’s peer in the tuning game. Back at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, noted Mercedes tuner presented its own program for the Mercedes-AMG GT S. That kit came with its own aero kit that’s made up of a new lip spoiler, carbon fiber inserts on the intakes, side skirts, a small rear wing, and its own set of 20- and 21-inch Brabus wheels. The interior was also dressed up nicely with a range of leather and color combinations.

Under its hood, Brabus gave the AMG GT S a new engine management system that remapped the injection and ignition and improved the boost pressure, giving the V-8 a total output of 600 ponies and 533 pound-feet of torque. It’s not as big of an increase as the one Mansory has for the sports car, but Brabus’ program still helped the sports car cut its 0-to-60 mph time to 3.6 seconds and improve its top speed to 201 mph.

Read our full review here.

Porsche 911 Turbo by TechArt

The Porsche 911 Turbo is considered the biggest rival to the Mercedes-AMG GT S. Part of that is because of the Porsche’s iconic status in the business and another part of that is because of the 911 Turbo’s continued excellence. TechArt’s program for the 911 Turbo includes an in-house body kit made up of a new front apron, a new diffuser, a revised exhaust system, and a large, fixed wing. A set of body stripes are also available.

The most significant update of this program lies in the mods added given to the 911 Turbo’s twin-turbo, 3.8-liter, flat-six engine. The mods result in the sports car generating 580 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque thanks to Techart’s Power Kit TA 091/T1. The extra output comes with a significant drop in 0-to-60 mph sprint for both the coupe and the convertible. The coupe now needs only 2.9 seconds to reach the benchmark, while the convertible takes a flat three seconds. Top speed also increased to 202 mph.

Read our full review here.

Conclusion

Leave it to Mansory to turn the Mercedes-AMG GT S into the kind of sports car I hoped it would be in the first place. I’m not knocking Mercedes for what it did with the sports car, but I just expected something a little bit more than what it presented. Mansory’s tuning program for the sports car helps solve a lot of what the AMG GT S needed so in some ways, this program is the perfect tonic for those who shared my sentiments in wanting more out of the AMG GT S. I mean, are there any complaints with the car now that it’s got supercar-level power? I didn’t think so.