Major Coupe

Led by mercedes, the next generation of two-door wonders is ready to hit the road.

- Nicolas Stecher

You really start to feel it, the cosmic oomph, the seemingly endless pull of torque, right around Turn 5. It’s not so much a push from the rear axle as it is a slingshot snap from the corner out to the long straightaway that passes pit row. As you mash the pedal, and feel the tectonic thrust of the Mercedes AMG GT R’s 577 horses at full gallop, things start to get interesting. It’s like playing chicken, but against yourself. Which will surrender first: the redline of the AMG’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, or your courage? In most cases, it’s the latter.