The 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R Coupe has an EPA fuel economy rating of 17 MPG combined, a figure that likely isn’t a high priority for its target buyer. Those who purchase a hand-built, 577-horsepower, track-focused car like the GT R are usually not looking for fuel efficiency. The experience is visceral, a sensory rush of sound, power, and carbon fiber, so the cost of premium gasoline is simply part of ownership.

City and highway performance

EPA estimates are 15 MPG in the city and 20 MPG on the highway for the AMG GT R. Given the car’s potential and the temptation to drive it hard, achieving those numbers in real-world conditions might be optimistic. The hand-assembled 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 thrives on boost and revs, and exploiting that performance hurts fuel economy. The AMG Speedshift DCT 7-speed transmission is geared for rapid acceleration and high-speed cruising, but efficiency is less important than performance. Expect mileage to drop when selecting drive modes optimized for track performance.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R Coupe at $3,400, based on 15,000 miles per year and national average premium fuel prices. This is a generic estimate. Some GT R owners won’t drive 15,000 miles annually. Frequent track days for some, and occasional weekend drives for others will change this number. This car requires premium fuel, and it consumes a lot of it, so owners should prepare for fuel costs as a significant part of the running expenses.

Real-world expectations

While the EPA ratings offer a baseline, real-world fuel economy for the AMG GT R depends on driving style. Gentle highway cruising might approach the 20 MPG estimate, but aggressive acceleration, track visits, and stop-and-go traffic will lower that figure. You might see mileage in the low teens if you frequently use the engine’s power. If fuel economy is a primary concern, many other vehicles are more suitable than this performance car. Checking out all Mercedes Benz fuel economy data might provide a better sense of Mercedes MPG across their lineup.

How it compares

The AMG GT R’s fuel economy appears typical when compared to its competitors. The Porsche 911 GT3, a similar track-focused car, achieves a slightly better 18 MPG combined. A Chevrolet Corvette Z06, with its supercharged V8, gets around 16 MPG combined. The differences are small, and none of these cars are chosen for their fuel economy. Buyers within this segment prioritize lap times, horsepower, and exclusivity. They anticipate high fuel consumption with high performance. It’s the price they are willing to pay. Consider looking at AMG MPG across all years to see the brand’s performance trends.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Though the AMG GT R isn’t known for fuel efficiency, driving habits can help you get more miles per gallon. Avoid accelerating hard and braking hard when possible. Smooth inputs will save fuel and reduce wear.

Engage “Comfort” or “Individual” driving mode on the highway, and select a higher gear to lower engine RPMs. This will minimize fuel consumption during normal driving.

Make sure that tires are inflated to the recommended pressure. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and hurt fuel economy.

Maintain your vehicle and keep up with service intervals. A well-tuned engine operates more efficiently than a neglected one.

Remove any unnecessary cargo from the car to reduce the engine’s load to improve fuel economy.