Tartan Tarmac visited the Millbrook proving ground in late May to test a few cars. The overall article about the day can be found here SMMT Press Day at Millbrook
On the day we were able to drive some groups of cars in close succession to form a comparative, if quick, opinion. In this quick group test we drove the Porsche 911 GTS, the Jaguar F-Type V8R 550ps AWD and the Mercedes AMG GT.
So here’s what we thought…
Porsche 911 GTS
The most capable and complete car of the day. Fantastic feedback through the light feeling chassis as well as the wheel. Nice 6 cylinder growl sufficiently audible to prompt the gearshifts. Good visibility- no concerns about placing the car- felt small around you – high quality interior – no gimmicks, but nothing to cause a sharp intake of breath. Immediate confidence. Real difference provided by the Sport mode.
Jaguar F-Type V8R 550ps AWD
This was our first shot in an all-wheel-drive F-Type and it certainly felt sure-footed. Didn’t trouble it round Millbrook circuit. Big steering wheel and steering felt a little less informative than I remember the RWD car. Wonderful noise. Engine you just want to keep listening to. Slightly overengineered burbles and blips but doesn’t stop you grinning every time. Immense power and no problem putting it down. Dark, classy interior -feels snug and well made. Also shrinks around you and feels well proportioned, but feels a little heavier and less nimble than the 911.
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
Total theatre. One of the highlights was standing outside the car listening to it burble and pull away. 911 noise=lovely, F-type noise=wonderful, AMG noise=insane. Stunning in the flesh too. Didn’t get a chance to throw it around but power delivery was as impressive as the noise. Visibility wise, quite a difference to other two cars. Conscious of sitting at the very rear of the car looking through a wide, squat windscreen at a HUGE bonnet. Interior also quite a lot of theatre with some highly stylised bits. Variable steering would take a little getting used to.
