Open-top driving performance as a twin pack

Open-top driving performance as a twin pack

KUWAIT: Mercedes-AMG is blowing even more fresh air into the AMG GT family. Shortly after the world premiere of the AMG GT R, the sports car and performance brand from Affalterbach is presenting two exciting roadster variants of the two-seater sports car. Alongside the AMG GT Roadster, the AMG GT C Roadster enhances the portfolio with a completely new model variant. With an output of 410 kW (557 hp) and peak torque of 680 Nm, the AMG GT C is the most powerful new Roadster variant and uses some of the technical refinements of the AMG GT R. These include active rear axle steering and the electronically controlled rear axle locking differential. In combination with the AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension, the AMG GT C Roadster guarantees dynamic performance at the highest level. The top Roadster also takes its lead from the top AMG GT R sports car where muscular proportions are concerned: the wider rear wings create space for a wider track and wider wheels at the rear axle, allowing even higher cornering speeds and best traction. The variable performance exhaust system also ensures an authentic V8 sound from the AMG Roadster.

The new Roadsters make hallmark AMG driving performance an even more intensive experience. “The AMG portfolio is fast expanding to become one of the most exciting and high-performing collections around. The new Roadster variants not only deliver more output and torque, but the AMG GT C Roadster also impresses with numerous technical highlights from the Mercedes-AMG GT R, for enhanced performance,” said Michael Ruehle, Chief Executive Officer, A R Albisher & Z Alkazemi Company, the authorized general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Kuwait.

With the two Roadster variants, the Mercedes-AMG GT family has now increased to five members. The two new sports cars with fabric soft tops likewise have the technical genes for which AMG is famous. These include e.g. the lightweight and torsionally rigid aluminium bodyshell plus powerful and efficient V8 biturbo engines. The entry level into the Roadster world is the AMG GT with an output of 350 kW (476 hp). The GT C Roadster adds a completely new output level. With 410 kW (557 hp) it is the more powerful of the two new open-top sports cars.

Fuel consumption, combined: 11.4 - 9.4 l/100 km; CO2 emissions, combined: 259 219 g/km.

The AMG GT C Roadster not only delivers more output and torque, it also impresses with numerous technical highlights from the Mercedes-AMG GT R for even more dynamic performance. Like the AMG GT R, the AMG GT C Roadster is recognizable by its wide, muscular rear end and large wheels. Other technical measures include the wider rear track and active rear axle steering.

The AMG GT C Roadster is also equipped with a lithium-ion battery, and has more exclusive appointments. Standard features include a nappa leather interior, the AMG performance steering wheel in nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre and the additional transmission mode RACE.

Fully automatic: The weight-optimised fabric soft top

Both Roadsters are quickly transformed from coupÈs to open-top sports cars. The fabric roof opens and closes in around eleven seconds, and can do this at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The three soft top colours black, red and beige can be chosen to suit the eleven exterior and ten interior colours. The three-layered fabric soft top is supported by a magnesium/steel/aluminium structure of low weight, which helps to keep the centre of gravity low. Additional rollover protection is provided by an integrated aluminium crossmember with rollover bars.

Also for the Roadster models

The two AMG Roadster variants have adopted a special technical highlight from the AMG GT R: the active air management system. Vertical louvres located in the lower area directly behind the front fascia can be opened and closed by an electric motor in around one second. This ensures that the cooling performance is according to need. Always achieving the optimum position requires highly intelligent and fast control.

During normal driving with no increased cooling requirement, the louvres are closed to reduce aerodynamic drag and specifically conduct the air to the underbody. Only when certain components reach predefined temperatures and the air requirement is particularly high do the louvres open to allow the maximum cooling airflow to the heat exchangers.

Muscular with an emphasis on width

The rear end also features numerous, conspicuous innovations. The new aluminium side walls of the AMG GT C Roadster widen the open-top two-seater by 57 millimetres compared to the AMG GT Roadster. This is exactly the width of the AMG GT R. Compared to the AMG GT Roadster, the muscular form also creates space for the larger wheels and a wider track. Both measures make for traction while allowing higher cornering speeds. The likewise wider contours of the AMG GT C Roadster’s rear apron also improve the airflow at the rear with their large outer air vents. Both Roadster variants feature an aerofoil integrated into the boot lid. This is electrically extended and retracted at defined speds, depending on the selected transmission mode.

Even more agility

As standard the new Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster responds even more sensitively thanks to the active rear axle steering that had its debut in the Mercedes-AMG GT R. The system offers an ideal combination of agility and stability - handling characteristics that are normally in direct conflict.

Up to a speed of 100 km/h, the rear wheels are turned in the opposite direction to the front wheels, the Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster turns into corners with significantly higher agility as a result, delivering even more driving pleasure and requiring less steering input. In day-to-day driving the driver also benefits from a reduced turning circle, for example when turning off or parking.

Impressive sound in the interior

The Burmester surround sound system and the Burmester high-end surround sound system ensure a very special musical experience in the AMG GT Roadster. Both systems benefit from an innovation developed jointly by AMG and Burmester: the External Coupled Subwoofer (ECS). This new bass sound reproduction system with an extremely low bass range turns the open two-seater into a mobile concert stage. Instead of a subwoofer box of limited dimensions, ECS uses the entire interior as a bass box.

The AMG GT Roadster and AMG GT C Roadster will be available at Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi Co in Kuwait in 2017.