The 2016 Mercedes AMG GT S is evoking the spirit of 1960s gullwing SL

ODDS are, if you’re considering the 2016 Mercedes AMG GT S, you’re not seriously considering a Porsche 911. Yes, they’re meant to be direct competitors — they’re each low, fast, powerful coupes, the closest thing to a pure sports car either brand currently makes.

But Mercedes’s 503-bhp biturbo V8 is much less ubiquitous than its German compatriot. This year, Porsche will sell more 911s than Mercedes will sell AMGs.

But sometimes the number sold has nothing to do with whether it’s a good car. As it happens, this is a good car. If you know you want a Mercedes, and you know you don’t need that Mercedes to be an SUV, you might as well choose the AMG GT S.