2020 AMG GT R: Hefty Price Dulls Roar
The 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R roadster and coupe are among the rarest mainstream cars on the road. The former was limited to 750 units, the latter 2,000. Combine scarcity, exterior design and the matted paint choice of Selenite Gray Magno and the supercar attracts constant attention.
The GT R, which debuted in 2018, defines a sports car. With craftsmanship channeling of Porsche, Ferrari and the Dodge Viper, there’s nothing quite like the performance-oriented Mercedes-Benz relative. It’s a glistening work of art on wheels.
Yet the exterior is a contradiction to much of the rest of the car. How can you go wrong with a four-liter, 577-horsepower V8 biturbo with a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission and 0-60 mph acceleration in 3.5 seconds? Reasons abound.
Like many competitors, the AMG GT R has a hearty engine growl. But the roar is a lion with a sore throat. The neighbors will always know you’re in the vicinity. But it’s not the same as hearing the guy down the street with a Maserati or the confident rumble of the new mid-engine Corvette C8.
Vehicles with standard acceleration test efforts in less than four seconds are all impressive. The GT R also features adaptive dampers, rear-wheel steering, electronically controlled limited-slip differential and other active aerodynamic nuances.
But the AMG’s turbo lag is annoying. The car’s secondary acceleration while passing another vehicle on the freeway is authoritative. But initial momentum is stymied by the pronounced lag. It’s not becoming of a supercar.
Driving inquiet, spacious comfort isn’t the strong point of any sports car. But any consideration for either attribute was dispatched early in the AMG GT R design process. Entering and exiting the vehicle is difficult. Seating is cramped. Side and rear views are limited. Wind rush is prominent, except for during topend freeway cruising speeds.
The AMG is ideal for daily driving unless the goal is a relaxing drive. Commandeering the AMG GT R