When the AMG GT R went into production in 2014, everyone predicted that it would be a cut-throat competition with the 911. The Mercedes was, and still is, a force of nature, with state-of-the-art technical specifications and on-board technologies. This made it one of the most serious competitors of the Zuffenhausen sports car.
But did this demonstration of strength by the “star” company succeed in taking the crown from the 911? The answer is no! Find out why in this 2021 AMG GT R Coupe vs 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo comparison by Porsche Lauzon, which pits the sharpest sports cars from Mercedes and Porsche in the metropolitan area!
A lot of curves for the Mercedes against the sharp but timeless style of the 911 Turbo.
First and foremost in this 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R Coupe vs 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo battle is the question of exterior styling. Whatever your final choice, the features of their respective bodies will be your first point of contact with each of them on the North Shore of Montreal!
And on this point, there are two opposing schools of thought. On the side of the company with the star, it's the classic front-engine coupe design that has been chosen for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R Coupe. However, for some, it will seem to be trying too hard. A very long front hood contrasting with a very deep cabin, excessive width, an air intake behind the front and rear fenders, a fixed rear spoiler overhanging a huge central exhaust outlet separated in two parts: the Mercedes seems to want to compensate, without reason, for a lack of aggressiveness of its curves at the level of the head and taillights, as well as of its grille. This leads to the Mercedes-Benz high performance coupe to a style that some of you will surely find busy and probably too complex.
At Porsche, a very pure, and above all 100% Porsche, profile has been chosen. With oval headlights in line with the front fenders, very curved, an air intake just behind the doors, a more discreet rear spoiler and a magnificent rear light strip reminiscent of the 964 type: the Turbo offers a style that is both athletic and sober, where nothing is superfluous. And with its visually compact appearance, the 911 Turbo Type 992 looks ready to perform, even when standing still! The result is a wonderful balance between beastliness and elegance that the passage of time will have no effect on.
Verdict for the exterior design: a point for the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo.
Specs: a very powerful engine for the AMG GTR, but not enough against the 2021 911 Turbo.
In this very special comparison between the sharpest models of the AMG GT and 911 series, let's move on to the most important thing: the technical specifications, which are summarised in the following table.
Model |
Engine / power / torque |
Transmission / drive system |
City/Highway/Combined ratings (L/100km) |
2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R Coupe |
4.0LV8 turbo / 577hp/ 516lb-ft |
7-spd automatic / RWD |
16.4/12.0/14.4 |
2021 Porsche 911 Turbo |
3.8L V6 turbo / 572hp / 553lb-ft |
8-spd automatic / AWD |
15.2/11.9/13.7 |
Here we see that the engine of the 2021 Mercedes AMG GT R Coupe is a turbocharged V8 with a displacement of four litres. The 2021 911 Turbo, on the other hand, has a similarly turbocharged engine with two less cylinders, and a unique architecture in the industry, as it is a flat six. It is also smaller (3.8 litres of displacement) and less powerful than that of the Coupe with the star (572 hp vs 577 hp for the AMG GTR).
So, with the smaller displacement and lower output from the 911's engine, one might expect lower performance than the Mercedes. However, the exact opposite is true, as the performance figures in this second table show.
Model |
0-100 km/h |
Top Speed |
2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R Coupe |
0-100 km/h: 3.6s |
318km/h |
2021 Porsche 911 Turbo |
0-100 km/h: 2.8s |
320km/h |
There are several reasons for this:
- The Porsche's superior engine torque, which is 553 lb-ft, compared to "only" 516 lb-ft for the Mercedes.
- The 911 Turbo's industry-leading standard all-wheel drive system, plus the engine's rear overhang, which provides better rear-end grip. The AMG GTR, a pure rear-wheel drive car, is no match for this.
- The Mercedes is also heavier (1,672 kg) than the 2021 911 Turbo (1,640 kg), which is considered to be one of the heaviest versions from the Zuffenhausen automaker.
The Porsche ultra-high-performance coupe is therefore quicker in terms of acceleration, while also boasting a slightly higher top speed than the Mercedes Coupe.
This is the ultimate in superior performance for the Porsche compared to the AMG GTR:
- The Zuffenhausen's ultra-high-performance coupe offers better fuel efficiency than the latter.
- The Porsche offers its unrivalled capabilities safely in all weather conditions, thanks to the all-wheel drive system.
So, if you're looking for the best performing of the two coupes but also the most usable on a daily basis, there's only one choice: the 2021 911 turbo in Laval, on the North Shore of Montreal!
Verdict on the technical specifications: advantage 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo.
Interiors: the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo is exceptionally versatile compared to the 2021 AMG GT R Coupe.
Finally, the best for last in this 2021 AMG GT R Coupe vs 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo comparison: the interiors! Here again, the two German sports cars take very different paths.
And this can be seen first of all in the interior design. Just like on the outside, the curves are again dominant, with curved lines on the dashboard and round air vents. On the 911 side, discreet, elegant and timeless lines are again the order of the day. The dashboard is soberly horizontal, and the ascending centre console is streamlined: Porsche has opted for a simple and effective design that puts the driver at the centre of the debate, so that they can feel at one with the machine and enjoy driving it!
The other big difference is the number of seats. While the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GTR Coupe can only accommodate two passengers, the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo can accommodate four on occasion, thanks to the two extra rear seats provided by its 2+2 coupe structure. This gives the 911 Turbo an extra practicality that the Mercedes cannot claim. In terms of materials, however, the two German super-sports cars are on a par with each other, with the exclusive use of top-quality materials and ultra-strong assemblies designed to last.
But where the "Turbo" stands out in this AMG GT vs. 911 comparison is in its interior equipment, which has nothing to envy the best limousines, even those from Mercedes! Power adjustable seats in 18 positions with memory function, an interior that can be adorned with leather, Race-Tex, wood, carbon or aluminium, or a top-of-the-range audio system signed by Burmester: depending on the model of the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo you are considering, you will have everything you can dream of, and even more, to use your "Turbo" every day in absolute comfort!
So, although the AMG GTR is extraordinary, it cannot compete with the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo!
That's what we think at the end of this AMG GT vs 911 comparison! Timelessly pure and exceptional exterior and interior lines, superior and usable performance thanks to the all-wheel drive system, better fuel efficiency, and an ultra-luxurious and more versatile interior: the 2021 Porsche 911 Turbo wins the match against the 2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG GTR, which is still an extremely capable car!
Still undecided? Before visiting your Mercedes-Benz dealer in the Greater Montreal area, stop by Porsche Lauzon, your Porsche dealer of choice in Laval! We'll show you the 911 Turbo Type 992 in all its details and explain exactly why it's a much better option than the AMG GTR. We'll also take the opportunity to tell you about Porsche's leasing/financing offers and programs that will allow you to get back home behind the wheel of YOUR own 911 Turbo. See you soon at the dealership!