New Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster & GT C Roadster
Mercedes finally pulled the wraps off the AMG GT’s
Roadster version which will come in two flavors: the basic 469 hp model and the
range-topping 547 hp GT C model.
The new AMG GT C
Roadster not only offers 46 hp more than the AMG GT S Coupe but also borrows
some of the technology found in the manic AMG GT R.
More specifically, the new AMG GT C comes with the
GT R’s rear axle steering, electronic locking differential and a wider rear
track. Torque is rated at a peak 680 Nm, available from just 1900 rpm.
Mercedes reckons it needs 3.7 seconds to hit 100 km/h from a standstill, with the
top speed electronically limited to 316 km/h.
The AMG GT Roadster on the other hand requires 4
seconds flat for the 0-100 procedure and won’t stop accelerating before hitting
187 mph. Both models are powered by the same twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine that
has become the spine of AMG’s range, powering almost everything wearing their
badge. As in the Coupe, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic is the only
transmission option.
The fabric roof opens and closes in just eleven
seconds, up to speeds of 50 km/h. The company will offer customers a choice
of three colors for the soft top (black, red and beige), eleven color options
for the exterior and ten for the cabin. The structure of the three-layered
fabric top is made out of a combination of magnesium, steel and aluminum to
keep the weight down.
Speaking of which, the AMG GT Roadster tips the
scales at 1,595 kg, with the GT C Roadster weighing 65 kg more, at 1,660 kg. AMG’s
engineers have also fiddled with the latter’s seven-speed DCT gearbox, giving
it a higher first gear, a lower seventh gear and final ratio to make it more
responsive, and an extra transmission mode called ‘Race’. This one adjusts the
shift strategy for maximum attack on a racetrack, making the gearbox change
cogs faster and the engine produce a ‘highly emotive sound’.
Both versions of the new AMG GT Roadster borrow the
active air management system from the GT R. Vertical louvres behind the front
fascia can be opened or closed by an electric motor, adjusting the cooling
performance and airflow to need. The AMG Panamericana front grille features 15
chrome-plated vertical bars, underlining the company’s racing heritage.
The new Mercedes AMG GT Roadster and GT C Roadster
will make their public debuts at the Paris Motor Show.
