COVER Mercedes-amg GT Roadster
Sexy new 911 cabrio rival revealed. Plus we ride in GT R
A DROP-TOP version of Mercedes-amg’s flagship sports car was inevitable, as a direct rival for the Porsche 911 – and here it is. The AMG GT Roadster will take centre stage at the Paris Motor Show next week.
Available in GT and GT C guises, the newcomer takes the AMG GT family up to five models. The car packs more power and torque than the equivalent hard-top, while using chassis tech from the hardcore GT R.
The entry AMG GT Roadster develops 469bhp and 630Nm of torque from its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, which is 13bhp and 30Nm more than the coupé. Above that the AMG GT C Roadster’s 549bhp and 680Nm put it between the 503bhp GT S coupé and 577bhp GT R. Both use Mercedes’ seven-speed dual-clutch automatic box.
The power hike means that the GT Roadster is capable of 0-62mph in four seconds flat – identical to the hard-top – while the GT C Roadster does the same sprint in 3.7 seconds, one-tenth up on the S coupé. Top speeds are claimed at 188mph and 196mph respectively.
Mercedes has opted to fit a threelayer fabric soft-top instead of an Sl-style folding hard-top to keep weight down. However, the brand has added strengthening to compensate for the lack of a fixed roof, meaning the base Roadster weighs 55kg more than the hard-top. The GT C is 90kg heavier than the GT S.
Its roof frame is supported by a mix of aluminium, steel and magnesium, and folds electrically in 11 seconds at up to 31mph. The roof can be ordered in black, red or beige, while the car gets rollover bars and an aluminium crossmember for safety. Tech borrowed from the track-focused AMG GT R includes active aerodynamics, with vertical louvres behind the grille opening and closing to boost cooling or reduce drag. Both cars also get tweaked exterior styling, with a new Panamerica 15-bar grille taken from the GT3 racing car, plus revised air intakes and new alloy wheel designs.
The GT C takes things a step further, though, with a wider track and rear arches mimicking those
“Unlike the coupés, both Roadster models adopt tech from track-focused AMG GT R”
of the GT R. It also borrows chassis tech, with active rear steering and an electronically controlled limited-slip diff claiming to boost agility. AMG’S adaptive dampers, a retuned dual-clutch transmission with new Race mode, and a switchable performance exhaust complete the raft of additions for the AMG GT C. Mercedes has yet to announce official pricing, but expect the base car to start at around £100,000. Meanwhile, the GT C is likely to cost in excess of £120,000.