Mercedes-Benz GT VS Jaguar F-Type
Mercedes-Benz GT
Likes
- That flat-plane crank V8
- Boy-racer looks
- Prodigious performance
Dislikes
- Stratospheric price tag
- Ultra-limited numbers means you can’t buy one
- Performance is only accessible on a racetrack
Jaguar F-Type
Likes
- Tarmac-tearing performance
- Surprising comfort
- Just look at it
Dislikes
- Thirsty
- Short on active safety tech
- Tight entry/egress
Summary
Mercedes-Benz GT
Look, I wouldn’t say I’m a trepidacious person by any means, I watched The Exorcist. in my teenage years and managed to get through all of Hereditary without looking away, but the thought of piloting the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series around Phillip Island is definitely enough to give me pause.
Maybe it’s because of the strictly limited production numbers of the latest Black Series, with only 28 units arriving in Australia?
Or perhaps it’s the $796,777, before on-road costs, price tag?
How about the stonking 4.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V8, directing 567kW and 800Nm to just the rear wheels?
Truthfully, it’s probably a combination of everything, and if the AMG GT Black Series didn’t terrify you just a little, you are either overestimating your abilities as a driver, or don’t have a healthy respect for what the newest Mercedes is capable of.
So, let’s take a brave pill and pull out of pitlane to see how the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series goes.
| Safety rating | — |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 4.0L turbo |
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 11.5L/100km |
| Seating | 2 seats |
Jaguar F-Type
After a long gestation period where a variety of Jaguar corporate overlords toyed with the idea of a successor to the all-time iconic E-Type, the F-Type finally emerged in late 2013 to a global intake of breath.
It managed to capture just the right amount of Jag heritage, folded into a high-tech package, with a simple choice of supercharged V6 and V8 engines, housed in a supremely sleek convertible body.
Over time the formula has become more complex, with the arrival of a coupe version, powerhouse R and full-fat SVR variants, special editions including the exotic Project 7, and more recently, 2.0-litre, turbo four-cylinder models to make this stunning two-seater more accessible.
A late 2019 update added some extra catnip, including a redesigned nose and this is the flagship F-Type R, complete with supercharged V8 power and performance-focused underpinnings. Time to dive into this latest chapter of the Jaguar F-Type story.
| Safety rating | |
|---|---|
| Engine Type | 5.0L |
| Fuel Type | Premium Unleaded Petrol |
| Fuel Efficiency | 11.3L/100km |
| Seating | 2 seats |
Verdict
Mercedes-Benz GT8.4/10
The Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is a rare beast; in the sense that it’s both unattainable and that it makes you feel like a superhero behind the wheel.
There is more performance on offer than most can hope of using, but the best thing about Mercedes’ latest supercar is its approachability.
In my experience, the more expensive a car gets, the more stressful driving them becomes, but the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series does something I didn’t think was possible, and turns a near-$1 million supercar into something fun.
Jaguar F-Type8/10
The Jaguar F-Type R is as fast and capable as it is beautiful. Although it's a little thirsty and comes up short on active safety, it's technically outstanding, delivering a stunning mix of performance, dynamics, and comfort.
Design
Mercedes-Benz GT10/10
Most high-performance brands have their hardcore, track-focused models, from the Porsche 911 GT2 RS to the McLaren 765LT and the Ferrari 488 Pista.
For Mercedes-Benz, it’s the Black Series, a badge which could be found in the past on the SLK, CLK, SL-Class, C-Class, but for 2021 it’s now found on the back of the GT supercar.
To differentiate it from the rest of the ‘standard’ Mercedes-AMG GT range, a slew of racecar-like components are added, such as a fixed rear wing (with deployable insert), vented front fenders, extended front splitter and fixed-back seats.
In fact, so different is the Black Series, that the only panel that carries over from the GT is the roof, which is a carbon-fibre component to keep weight down.
Other carbon-fibre bits include the front fenders, front and rear bumpers, and rear hatch.
The most in-your-face addition might be the deeply vented bonnet, designed to evacuate hot air from the engine bay, while the hero 'Magma Beam' orange colour that juxtaposes all the exposed carbon-fibre panels is a real attention grabber.
From the outside, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is bold, brash and in-your-face, but that’s exactly what a race car should be – in my opinion, at least.
I absolutely love how the Black Series looks like a Need for Speed or Forza Horizon video game car brought to life, and will turn heads anywhere you go.
Inside, the Black Series is clad in soft-touch 'Dinamica' and orange contrast stitching across many of the touchpoints such as dashboard, steering wheel and door cards.
And with fixed-back bucket seats, a racing harness and a roll cage, you’d be forgiven for thinking the AMG GT Black Series is all about function over form, but there are small touches to make it easier to live with on the road.
The multimedia touchpad controller falls easily in hand, while the shifter is flanked by an array of light-up buttons to adjust settings like adaptive suspension, exhaust note and rear spoiler angle.
Overall, the Black Series’ cabin is well-laid out like a standard AMG GT, with some nice flourishes to stand it apart.
Jaguar F-Type9/10
Although it kicked off as a roadster, a coupe version of the F-Type was always part of the plan. In fact, Jaguar's C-X16 concept, that in 2011 previewed the eventual production car, was a hardtop.
Following the Coupe's public reveal at the 2013 Los Angeles motor show, I asked Jaguar's then head of design, Ian Callum, if the bean counters had vetoed the concept's ultra-cool side-opening hatch door; one of many styling hat tips to the E-Type. His response was a wry smile and slow nod of the head.
It's a shame that door didn't make it to the showroom floor, but the E-Type is still a strong design influence on its successor.
At close to 4.5m long, around 1.9m wide, and a fraction over 1.3m tall, the F-Type R looks more compact in the metal than it does in photographs, arguably the hallmark of a successful sports car design.
A long, flowing (front-hinged) bonnet (Jaguar calls its shape 'liquid metal' sculpture) projects forward from a rear-set cabin, with broad but tightly wrapped haunches behind it. The 20-inch, 10-spoke rims (in 'Gloss Black' with diamond-turned finish) fill the wheel arches perfectly.
I'm a huge fan of the tail-light cluster design, subtly reprofiled in the late 2019 update, which echoes the shape of the Series 1 E-Type and other classic Jags, but found it harder to warm to the outgoing F-Type's squarish headlight treatment.
Always a subjective call, but to my eyes this car's slimmer, more feline (LED) eyes and ever-so-slightly larger grille deliver a better front to rear balance. And slender, flush-fitting pop-out exterior door handles remain sub-zero cool.
Our 'Santorini Black' test car had been optioned with the 'Exterior Black Design Pack' ($1820) for an extra hint of menace. It applies body-colour to the front splitter, side sills, and rear diffuser, at the same time blacking out the grille surround, side vents, side window surrounds, rear valance, Jaguar script, F-Type badge and 'Leaper' emblem.
Jaguar describes this two-seater as a '1+1', confirming the F-Type's focus on the driver, and our test car's tan leather interior emphasises the fact.
Tan dash on the passenger side, complete with flying buttress-style grab handle for extra support when g-force starts to build. Contrasted by all black and all business on the driver's side.
A broad centre stack houses the 10-inch multimedia touchscreen, with easy-to-use dials for the climate control system below. And the 12.3-inch reconfigurable hi-def instrument cluster (with graphics unique to the F-type) is a model of clarity and simplicity.
The latter offers a choice of display themes, including full nav map, but the default mode highlights a large central tachometer. Nice.
An impressive design feature carried over from the previous model is deployable front air vents. The dashtop remains flat until a given climate control temperature setting causes an upper section, housing a pair of adjustable vents, to gently rise. Very cool (no pun intended).
Practicality
Mercedes-Benz GT7/10
As a two-seat coupe, the AMG GT Black Series isn’t the most practical of cars, but then again, it isn’t trying to be.
The cabin is big enough to accommodate six-foot tall (183cm) passengers like myself, though the fixed-back seats are designed to be form-fitting even for slender frames.
Storage options inside include two cupholders and a shallow underarm storage cubby, and that’s about it.
Unlike the standard GT, the Black Series’ doors forgo the small storage pocket – likely to keep weight down.
Opening the boot reveals enough space for a set of golf clubs or a few weekend bags, but not much else.
Mercedes does not list the volume available in the Black Series, but with the inclusion of a rollcage and special reinforcement components to help transfer the downforce of the rear wing to the chassis, it’s safe to assume it is less than the 176 litres offered in the AMG GT.
Jaguar F-Type7/10
If you're intending to daily drive your F-Type R, make sure your yoga fees are up to date, because entry and egress are for the fleet of foot and flexible of limb.
Once inside, though, within the bounds of its two-door coupe format, the F-Type offers an array of storage options, including a decent glove box, centre storage box/armrest, small door bins, a netted pocket on the top of the bulkhead between the seats, and a pair of console cupholders.
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Power and connectivity runs to a 12V socket in the dash, with another in the central storage bin, alongside two USB-A ports, and a micro SIM slot.
Notwithstanding the (alloy) space saver plonked on the boot floor, the F-Type Coupe delivers worthwhile cargo space, with 310 litres on offer, rising to 408 with the load cover removed.
That's enough to swallow small (36-litre) and large (95-litre) suitcases together, and there are two (nicely chromed) tie-down anchor, as well as elasticised retaining straps at either end of a small ledge on the bulkhead.
Price and features
Mercedes-Benz GT6/10
Wearing a price tag of $796,777, before on-road costs, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series costs more than double the $373,276 GT R coupe, and an eye-watering $343,577 more than last year’s limited-release GT R Pro.
It’s a significant amount of cash for sure (still not enough to buy a decent house in Melbourne’s inner city, though), but, as well as increased performance, you are paying for exclusivity.
The GT is only the sixth model in Mercedes’ long history to wear the Black Series badge, and production of the new model will be limited, though to what extent is currently unclear.
Only 28 units will make it Down Under though, and each is already spoken for.
Weirdly, this makes last year’s GT R Pro rarer with only 15 examples in Australia, while the SLS Black Series was also more exclusive with only seven available locally.
So, what exactly do you get for your extra spend?
Remarkably, the equipment list on the Black Series largely mirrors its GT siblings, including a flat-bottom steering wheel, staggered 19-/20-inch wheels, push-button start, 12.3-inch customisable digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control and various driving modes.
Handling multimedia duties is a 10.3-inch multimedia screen with satellite navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, digital radio and an 11-speaker sound system.
However, the Black Series adds a few more touches to the cabin to make things feel more special, such as a microfibre-clad steering wheel, fixed-back carbon-fibre seats, orange-stitch detailing, a roll cage and a four-point racing harness.
Though that doesn’t sound like it's enough to justify the huge step up from the GT R, as is the case with most special-edition models, the engine and mechanicals have been given a thorough workover to extract maximum performance from the platform (more on this below).
Jaguar F-Type8/10
It's hard to pin down direct competitors for the $262,936 F-Type R, except one; Porsche's 911 Carrera S, a clear price and performance rival at $274,000.
With a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo 'flat' six producing 331kW/530Nm the 911 is capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in just 3.7sec, which (surprise, surprise) exactly matches the Jag's claimed performance number.
Cast the net a little wider and you'll snag the likes of Nissan's GT-R Track Edition on the low side ($235,000), and the Mercedes-Benz S 560 Coupe ($326,635) for around $50K above the F-Type's asking price. So, the standard features list needs to be impressive, and long story short, it is.
Drilling down to the depths of detail on this car's equipment spec would need a review of its own, so here's the highlights package.
The 10-inch 'Touch Pro' multimedia screen manages a 380-watt Meridian audio system featuring 10 speakers (including subwoofer), digital radio, dynamic volume control and a 10-channel amp, as well as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity.
It's also the gateway to the car's configurable dynamic set-up, 'Navigation Pro', phone connection, ambient lighting, reversing camera, and a lot more.
Full-grain 'Windsor' leather is applied to the 12-way, electrically-adjustable (plus memory) performance seats. There's also a 12.3-inch customisable digital instrument cluster, cruise control (and speed limiter), keyless entry and start, auto rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming and power folding heated door mirrors (with memory), a switchable active exhaust, LED headlights, DRLs and tail-lights, as well as an electrically adjustable steering column (with memory), climate control, powered boot lid, 20-inch alloy wheels, racy red brake calipers, and specific 'R' branding on the leather-trimmed sports steering wheel, door tread plates, and centre console.
Under the bonnet
Mercedes-Benz GT10/10
Powering the GT Black Series is AMG’s ubiquitous 4.0-litre twin-turbo-petrol V8 engine, with a few modifications.
For starters, a flat-plane crank is used for the V8 for improved throttle response, less weight and different firing order that makes it more free revving than the standard engine.
In fact, so different is the engine that Mercedes-AMG has given the Black Series’ powerplant its own internal code, with only three technicians in Affalterbach qualified to put it together.
The result is peak power of 537kW available from 6700-6900rpm, while maximum torque reaches 800Nm, on tap from 2000-6000rpm.
For those keeping track, that’s 107kW/100Nm more than the GT R.
Sending drive exclusively to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the AMG GT Black Series will accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 3.2 seconds and top out at 325km/h.
Jaguar F-Type9/10
The F-Type R is powered by Jaguar's all-alloy (AJ133) 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, featuring direct-injection, variable (intake) cam timing, and an Eaton (Roots-type) blower to produce 423kW (567hp) at 6500rpm, and 700Nm from 3500-5000rpm.
Drive goes to all four wheels via an eight-speed 'Quickshift' automatic transmission and Jaguar's own adaptive AWD system with 'Intelligent Driveline Dynamics' (IDD).
The AWD system is based on an electro-hydraulic multi-plate (wet) clutch, controlled by a centrifugal electro-hydraulic actuator. Default front/rear drive balance is 10/90, although Jaguar claims even a full shift of power from 100 per cent rear to 100 per cent front takes just 165 milliseconds.
The IDD system continuously monitors each wheel's speed and traction, suspension compression, steering angle and braking force, as well as the car's rotational state.
It then uses an algorithm to determine which wheel(s) are likely to lose traction, and before grip is lost, transfer drive to the wheels that can make best use of it.
Efficiency
Mercedes-Benz GT8/10
Officially, the GT Black Series will consume 13.2 litres per 100km, making it thirstier than the GT R that returns 11.4L/100km.
The GT Black Series will require 98RON petrol and this, coupled with the high consumption average, will mean a big bill at the bowser.
However, as such a focused performance machine, fuel economy in the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is less of an important point than something like a charismatic and dynamic engine.
Jaguar F-Type7/10
Claimed fuel economy for the combined (ADR 81/02 - urban, extra-urban) cycle is 11.3L/100km, the F-Type R emitting 269g/km of CO2 in the process.
Despite the standard auto stop/start function, over close to 350km of city, suburban, and freeway running we recorded a (dash-indicated) average of 16.1L/100km.
That's a solid drinking habit, but it kind of goes with this performance territory, and we did lean into the throttle on a regular basis.
Recommended fuel is 95 RON premium unleaded, and you'll need 70 litres of it to fill the tank. That equates to a range of 619km in line with the factory claim, and 434km using our real-world number as a guide.
Driving
Mercedes-Benz GT10/10
We’ve driven some very fast cars before, so make no mistake when we say the AMG GT Black Series is seriously quick.
The right pedal might as well be warp drive on the, Starship Enterprise, because as soon as you floor the throttle, you’re pinned to the back of the race seat and the only reprise comes from lifting off.
Aside from the immense speed, what is – surprisingly – noticeable is the noise, or lack of it.
The flat-plane crank V8’s different firing order means it doesn’t have the same burbly notes as the standard AMG GT, it’s a racier tone. That’s not a bad thing, mind you, just a different note.
And while the flat-plane crank V8 changes the exhaust note, it also makes the engine freer revving and lively.
With 537kW/800Nm on tap, you sort of have to trust the suspension and aerodynamics will do their thing to keep the AMG GT Black Series on the track, and it’s here where I think Mercedes-AMG has pulled off some sort of magic.
The combination of adaptive dampers, active aero, beefed-up anti-roll bars and a unique Michelin Pilotsport Cup 2 R tyre (featuring a silhouette of the Black Series laser etched into the sidewall) results in a terrifyingly capable vehicle at Phillip Island.
I am the first to admit that I am no Lewis Hamilton behind the wheel, I often get on the throttle too early, I can never nail a double-apex corner and my heel-toe-technique could use more work, but behind the wheel of the GT Black Series, I felt like Ayrton Senna’s spirit had taken the wheel on my behalf.
Cornering in the Black Series felt like nothing else, and regardless of what the speedo was saying, the nose of the ferocious GT flagship would just point wherever I wanted it to go.
Luckily the braking system is also up to task – thanks to carbon ceramic units fitted as standard, as well as unique pads and discs.
The brakes bite almost immediately, giving you the confidence to hit the stop pedal at the last moment before tipping into a corner.
I think the biggest compliment I can pay to the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is that it increases that narrow band of fun you can have in a supercar.
Sure, a driver with more skill could pilot the AMG GT Black Series with more grace, and finesse it around the corners a little quicker, but the approachability of the performance on offer is amazing.
Nothing feels intimidating, nothing feels unapproachable. The GT Black Series is so communicative that it gives drivers the confidence to feel like a hero around a race track.
If there is any criticism of the car, it’s that its limits are so high they are hard to explore, even on a circuit like Phillip Island, but maybe that takes more skill than I have, or more than just a handful of laps behind the wheel.
Of particular note, too, is that the engine of the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is found in the front.
There’s a reason why some exotic supercars will opt for the mid- or rear-engine layout, but Mercedes has managed to craft a front-engine, rear-drive machine that will keep up with the best the world has to offer.
Jaguar F-Type9/10
Yep, no surprise, the 2021 Jaguar F-Type R is a proper, rip-snorting, beast of a machine. Weighing in at just over 1.7 tonnes, with 423kW/700Nm to propel it forward, in terms of straight line acceleration, it's every bit the scalded cat.
Bury the right foot and it will storm from 0-100km/h in just 3.7 seconds, with furious aural accompaniment courtesy of the 4.0-litre supercharged V8 and sports exhaust system. Electrically-actuated bypass valves in the latter's rear silencer remain closed until they automatically open under load, and boy, do they open up.
Prospective F-Type R owners wishing to remain on good terms with their neighbours will be pleased to know there's a 'Quiet Start function', but once you're a few blocks clear the engine is capable of alerting the entire suburb to you presence, complete with raucous crackles and pops on the overrun.
All 700Nm of maximum torque is available from 3500rpm through to 5000rpm, and mid-range thrust is ferocious. If you have access to a long enough private road Jaguar claims this car will storm on to a (electronically-limited!) maximum velocity of 300km/h.
The eight-speed auto transmission has picked up several tweaks courtesy of the XE-based SV Project 8, and it's brilliant. A conventional torque-converter based unit, rather than a dual-clutch, it's dubbed 'Quickshift', and that it does. Manual flicks between ratios, using the wheel-mounted paddles, are rapid and positive.
Head for your favourite B-road, and it's the F-Type R's ability to put every bit of its power down, without fuss, that impresses next. Push into a series of tight corners and the car grips, settles, and simply surges from one bend to the next, the tricky AWD system seamlessly shuffling torque between the axles and individual wheels.
The standard electronic active diff, and torque vectoring (by braking) also help keep everything under control, turning backroad tryhards into apex hunting virtuosos.
Suspension is by (aluminium) double wishbones front and rear, with revised springs and anti-roll bars added in the 2019 upgrade. Continuously-variable dampers underpin the 'Adaptive Dynamics' system, learning your style and adjusting accordingly.
The electrically-assisted power steering combines great road feel with satisfying accuracy, and the car feels balanced yet agile and responsive in enthusiastic driving.
In a more relaxed mode the adaptive set-up detects rough road conditions and adjusts the suspension settings for greater ride comfort. According to Jaguar, the damper valves and control algorithms have been recalibrated to improve low-speed comfort and high-speed control, and I can vouch for their effectiveness.
Not long after steering this F-Type R I spent some time in the supercharged V6 F-Type P380 R-Dynamic, and this R is far more compliant.
Rubber is a specially-developed Pirelli P Zero (265/35 fr - 305/30 rr), and the supremely efficient brakes are ventilated 380mm at the front, and 376mm rear.
Safety
Mercedes-Benz GT7/10
The 2022 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series is yet to be assessed by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, and does not wear an official crash-test rating.
Standard safety features do include automatic wipers, automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, driver attention alert, traffic sign recognition and tyre pressure monitoring.
Though the AMG GT Black Series lacks the usual assortment of safety features that you might find on a more mainstream car, like autonomous emergency braking (AEB), it does offer up more track-orientated safety components.
For starters, the seats feature a four-point harness, securing you snuggly into the fixed-back seats. This means you won’t move an inch, even when cornering at ridiculous speeds.
There is also a roll cage to keep the cabin secure in the event of a serious crash. And five airbags are fitted.
Jaguar F-Type7/10
The F-Type hasn't been assessed by ANCAP, but as well as the usual active safety suspects like ABS, EBD, traction and dynamic stability controls, the R features an AEB system operating at speeds above five km/h, Vehicle detection is in place at speeds of up to 80km/h, and pedestrian detection up to 60km/h.
The AWD system facilitates specific 'Rain', 'Ice', and 'Snow' modes, plus there's active high-beam, lane keep assist, a reversing camera, as well as front and rear parking sensors, and a 'Driver Condition Monitor.'
But cross-traffic alert (front or rear) is missing-in-action, blind spot assist is an option ($900), as is park assist ($700), and tyre pressure monitoring ($700). Any car that's crested the $250K barrier should have all of these as standard.
If an impact's unavoidable there are six airbags (front, side, and curtain). But remember, the front passenger seat is a no-go zone for a rear-facing child restraint. And Jaguar says, "A child should only travel in the front passenger seat if it is essential and national or state legislation permits it."
Ownership
Mercedes-Benz GT9/10
Like all new Mercedes models sold in 2021, the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series comes with a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with roadside assist over that period.
Mercedes’ warranty easily outclasses other premium marques like BMW, Porsche and Audi, who each offer a three-year/unlimited kilometre coverage, and Lexus (four year/100,000km), while matching Jaguar and newcomer Genesis.
Scheduled servicing intervals are every 12 months or 20,000km, whichever occurs first.
Servicing costs for the Black Series were unavailable to us at the time of publishing, but maintenance of the GT coupe will ring the till up at $4750 over three years.
Jaguar F-Type8/10
Jaguar covers its Australian new car range with a three-year/100,000km warranty, which looks particularly stingy next to the mainstream market norm of five years/unlimited km, and lags other premium players like Mercedes-Benz and Genesis, both sitting at five years/unlimited km.
On the plus side, paint and corrosion (perforation) are warranted for three years, and roadside assistance is complimentary for 12 months.
And on the big plus side, scheduled servicing for the F-Type (determined by an on-board service interval indicator) is free-of-charge for five years/130,000km.