2019 Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster: Bridging the gap
In one of the least surprising moves ever, Mercedes-AMG is patching up a small gap in its GT portfolio with the GT S roadster. The new model is powered by a variation of the near-ubiquitous twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 that is rated at a healthy 515 horsepower, just as in its GT S coupe counterpart. It thus slots in neatly between the 469-hp GT roadster and the 550-hp GT C roadster. It transmits that power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
While its horsepower rating is closer to the GT C’s, on balance the GT S droptop is positioned closer to the GT. Mercedes says it charges to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and tops out at 192 mph, better than its claims for the folding-top GT (3.9 seconds and 188 mph) but slower than the GT C roadster’s 3.6 seconds and 196 mph.
Like the GT C, the GT S comes with adaptive dampers and an electronically controlled rear differential; the GT does without these features. The GT S also comes with 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels, an upgraded braking system, and a “Race” setting for the driving mode selector. However, it lacks the GT C’s rear-wheel steering and the significantly wider body that the GT C coupe and roadster share with the GT R coupe. The GT S is 76.3 inches wide, like the GT, as opposed to the GT C and GT R models that span 79.0 inches.
The GT S roadster will hit dealers in the United States in late 2018 (in other markets, it goes on sale in July). Pricing will be announced closer to launch, but deducing from what Mercedes-AMG charges for the GT and GT C roadsters compared to their coupe counterparts, we suspect the GT S roadster will be priced around $145,500.
Like the other GT models, the new S roadster sports the Panamericana-inspired grille that characterizes a growing number of AMG models. The GT in both coupe and roadster forms continues to sell well against the Porsche 911, the Jaguar F-Type, and the Aston Martin Vantage. And the GT lineup has recently grown to include an E-class–based GT 4-Door model pitted straight against the Porsche Panamera. Eventually, we expect to see another facelift of the GT that picks up cues from the fourdoor’s interior, as well as a more extreme Black Series version.