Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster and Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster… open-top twin pack

It was destined to happen – the Mercedes-AMG GT was launched as a coupé, so adding a 2-seater open-top sports car is just too irresistable.  Therefore, we now see this tiwn pack of roadsters: the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster and Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster.

The world premiere of the AMG GT R (coupé) happened not long ago, stepping up to top podium spot as the highest-performance AMG sports car… the next step would be to add a roadster open body.  Looking at these, perhaps the GT C Roadster is now already lopping the GT R off its top podium spot?

Mercedes-AMG (the sports car and performance brand from Affalterbach) is “blowing even more fresh air” into the AMG GT range with the extension of this delicious pair of exciting AMG 2-seater roadsters.  Like its SLS AMG forebear, coupé was followed by roadster.

GT C

Alongside the AMG GT Roadster, the AMG GT C Roadster enhances the portfolio with a completely new model variant – GT C is a new letter combination.  GT C also conjures up names of previous power cars (not to mention Bentley Continental GTC – but hey, if Bentley decided to drop the brilliantly-named GTC in favour of cumbersome GT Convertible, then AMG did great to pick up GT C).

AMG 410kW a new output level

With the GT C Roadster, Mercedes-AMG is introducing a new output level for their versatile 4.0-litre V8 biturbo, underlining the exclusive character of the new model:  it produces 410kW.  If you’re quickly referencing your internal memory bank or looking up specs of the AMG GT S, your inquisitiveness is warranted:  the GT S does 375, so the GT C tops that by another 35kW.  The GT S torque is 650, while the GT C gets 680Nm, from 1900 to 5750 rpm. 

The media release came up with some creative ways to describe acceleration: a sprint from zero to 100 km/h is “absolved” in 3.7 seconds (the open car is a bit heavier, but still just beats the 3.8 the GT S takes).  This “fulminating” acceleration only ends at the top speed of 316 km/h.

GT Roadster

You probably would have skipped straight to the GT C top model, so here are the specs on the AMG GT Roadster:  it has the same 350 kW as the AMG GT coupé, but torque is up from 600 to 630 Nm.  This variant accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds, to a top speed of 302 km/h.

This GT Roadster is the one you choose if you don’t want the extra speed/expense of the GT C Roadster model.

GT C Roadster takes lead from GT R

The GT C Roadster uses some of the technical refinements of the AMG GT R.  The top Roadster takes its lead from the top AMG GT R sports car where muscular proportions are concerned: the wider rear wings (fenders) create space for a wider track and wider wheels at the rear axle, allowing even higher cornering speeds and excellent traction.

The variable performance exhaust system also ensures an authentic V8 sound from the AMG Roadster, proving you can have a hot-inside-V turbo engine and still make it sound great – good looks are nothing without good exhaust effects (take note BMW M car engineers).

The GT C also gets the vertical bars chrome GT R grille, which looks good, and also nods in the direction of the original SLR racecar from the 50s.  Nice if you have heritage to pick from.

Jaguar F-Type SVR Roadster, you are not alone – meet your new friend/enemy.

As the AMG GT so clearly takes the Porsche 911 as target, would Porsche build the something like a GT3 convertible?  Highly unlikely. 

3 soft-top colours, 11 paints, 10 interiors

The two new sports cars with fabric soft tops likewise have the technical genes for which AMG is famous.  Both Roadsters are quickly transformed from coupés to open-top sports cars, as the fabric roof opens and closes in around 11 seconds, and can do this at speeds of up to 50 km/h.

The 3 soft-top colours are black, red and beige.  It can be matched to suit from the selection of 11 exterior and 10 interior colours.  Generous.

The 3-layered fabric soft-top is supported by a magnesium/steel/aluminium structure of lightened weight, which helps to keep the centre of gravity low.  Additional roll-over protection is provided by an integrated aluminium cross-member with roll-over bars.

AMG Roadsters

These new AMG Roadsters make hallmark AMG driving performance an even more intensive experience.

As the AMG GT and GT S are available in South Africa, this twin pack of AMG GT Roadster and AMG GT C Roadster would also be destined for local sale.