The Mercedes-AMG GT R was unveiled at the Goodwood
Festival of Speed in 2016 and it looks like the company is going to finally
offer a roadster variant. Recently snapped near the Nürburgring, the high-performance drop top
follows in the footsteps of the coupe as it adopts a more aggressive front
fascia with a Panamericana grille. The styling similarities don’t stop there as
both models have a “double rear diffuser,” an adjustable rear wing and a
high-performance braking system that features yellow brake calipers.
The roadster should have active
aerodynamics including a unique carbon component that moves downward by about 40 mm when the car hits speeds of 80 km/h while in Race mode.
This might not sound too interesting, but Mercedes has previously said the
system “changes the airflow considerably” and helps to reduce front-axle lift
by approximately 40 kg at 250 km/h.
Active aerodynamics are just one of the performance
features on the GT R as the model also boasts a sportier suspension, a rear
steering system and a limited-slip differential. The car also has lighter
components and gripper tires.
Power will be provided by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8
engine that produces 577 hp and 700 Nm of torque.
Backed up by a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the rear-wheel drive
roadster should be able to rocket from 0-100 km/h in around 3.6
seconds. However, we can expect a slightly slower top speed than the coupe’s
limit of 318 km/h.
