Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster, C Roadster add new level of sportiness

Mercedes-AMG is blowing even more fresh air into the AMG GT family. The sports car and performance brand from Affalterbach has launched two exciting roadster variants of the twoseater sports car into the region.

Alongside the AMG GT Roadster, the AMG GT C Roadster enhances the portfolio with a completely new model that, with an output of 410kW (557hp) and peak torque of 680 Nm, also makes it the most powerful. The active rear axle steering and the electronically controlled rear axle locking differential, in combination with the AMG Ride Control sports suspension, ensures that the AMG GT C Roadster delivers a dynamic performance at the highest level.

Lennart Mueller-Teut, head of Marketing and Communications, Mercedes-Benz Cars Middle East, said, “The AMG GT Roadster and the AMG GT C Roadster models expand the AMG GT family, adding a new level of sportiness and exclusivity between the AMG GT S and the AMG GT R.

“Both Roadsters are the perfect choice for sports car enthusiasts who are always on the hunt for the next adrenalin rush. Our new Roadsters offers a powerful sense of freedom and adventure in an exclusive high performance environment.”

Both Roadsters are transformed from coupés to open-top sports cars at the touch of a button and even on the go. The three-layered fabric roof with magnesium/ steel/ aluminium support structure opens and closes in around 11 seconds, and can do this at speeds of up to 50kmph. Additional rollover protection is provided by an integrated aluminium cross-member with rollover bars. Three colour options for the soft top, black, red and beige, are available to complement the 11 exterior and ten interior colours for the models.

At the heart of the AMG GT C Roadster is a 4l V8 biturbo engine; Mercedes-AMG is introducing a further output level of the 4l V8 biturbo, thereby underlining the exclusive character of the new model. At 410kW (557hp), the peak output is 35kW (47hp) above that of the AMG GT S and 20kW (28hp) below the Mercedes-AMG GT R.

The maximum torque of 680Nm is available from 1900rpm to 5750rpm, while a sprint from zero to 100kmph is achieved in 3.7 seconds, and culminates in a top speed of 316kmph.

The AMG GT Roadster has an output of 350kW (476hp) and 630Nm of torque, and equally impressive acceleration response to 100kmph in just 4 seconds, and a top speed of 302kmph.

By modifying the hardware and software, the developers have also adapted the sevenspeed dual clutch transmission in a transaxle arrangement at the rear axle to the new power level of the Mercedes AMG GT C Roadster. The first gear of the AMG Speedshift DCT 7-speed sport transmission has a higher ratio, while seventh gear and the final drive have a lower ratio. This makes for even more agile acceleration and exceptional responses to sudden accelerator movements.

The driver is able to set the AMG GT Roadster to their individual requirements using the AMG Dynamic Select controller. The three transmission modes C (Comfort), S (Sport), S+ (Sport Plus) and the individually pro- grammable setup I (Individual) allow a broad range of driving experiences from comfortable to very sporty.

The transmission mode RACE is additionally available for the Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster. This mode optimally adjusts the shift strategy of the dual clutch transmission to the needs of the racetrack, very fast shift speeds and highly emotive engine sound are included. By pressing the separate M button in the centre console, the driver can activate the manual transmission mode in any drive mode.

The AMG GT C Roadster is equipped with the AMG performance exhaust system as standard to obtain an even more emotive sound experience. Two variably adjustable flaps modulate the exhaust note of the Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadsters authentically and directly. The flaps open and close depending on the selected AMG Drive Select mode, although they can also be controlled individually using a separate button in the AMG Drive Unit.

In the Comfort and Sport settings, the low-frequency sound typical of a V8 is designed for comfort. In Sport Plus and Race modes, the sound composition is far more emotive. The variable AMG performance exhaust system is also available as an option for the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster.

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.

From the expressive AMG Panamericana grille to the long, muscular bonnet and wide rear end, the two-seater guarantees a pure sports car experience even when stationary. The striking AMG Panamericana grille underlines the motor racing heritage: 15 chrome-plated, vertical bars echo the look of the current Mercedes AMG GT3 customer sports racing car.

Mercedes-AMG uses an intelligent material mix for the body structure of the AMG GT and GT C Roadster. Various aluminium alloys are used for the chassis and body and magnesium for the front deck. This extremely light element at the front reduces the inertia ahead of the front axle, thus improving agility.

The boot lid is particularly light, thanks to an innovative composite material. The loadbearing structure is of sheet moulding compound (SMC) with carbon fibres. These hightech plastics excel with their light weight, great strength and firstclass surface condition. These innovative materials were developed by the Mercedes Benz TEC factory in Sindelfingen, and brought to production maturity together with the AMG specialists in Affalterbach. This material combination is used for the first time in the new AMG Roadsters.

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. With the rear wheels turning in the opposite direction to the front wheels up to a speed of 100kmh, the Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster turns into corners with significantly higher agility to deliver even more driving pleasure with less steering input required.

Once the speed of the AMG GT C Roadster exceeds 100kmph, the system turns the rear wheels in the same direction as the front wheels. This noticeably improves handling stability. At the same time, the lateral force on the rear wheels builds up considerably faster when changing direction, which makes the response to steering inputs quicker.

As standard, the AMG GT C Roadster is equipped with an electronically controlled locking differential at the rear axle (Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster: Mechanical locking differential), which is integrated into the compact transmission housing. Its sensitive and rapid control elevates the physical handling limits to a new level. It improves the grip of the driven wheels and increases the cornering speeds at the limit.