Mercedes-AMG is blowing even more fresh air into the AMG GT family. Shortly after the world premiere of the AMG GT R, the sports car and performance brand from Affalterbach is presenting two exciting roadster variants of the two-seater sports car.
Alongside the AMG GT Roadster, the AMG GT C Roadster enhances the portfolio with a completely new model variant. With an output of 410 kW (557 hp) and peak torque of 680 Nm, the AMG GT C is the most powerful new Roadster variant and uses some of the technical refinements of the AMG GT R. These include active rear axle steering and the electronically controlled rear axle locking differential. In combination with the AMG RIDE CONTROL sport suspension, the AMG GT C Roadster guarantees dynamic performance at the very highest level. The top Roadster also takes its lead from the top AMG GT R sports car where muscular proportions are concerned: the wider rear wings 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.
With the two Roadster variants the Mercedes-AMG GT family has now increased to five members. The two new sports cars with fabric soft tops likewise have the technical genes for which AMG is famous. These include e.g. the lightweight and torsionally rigid aluminium bodyshell plus powerful and efficient V8 biturbo engines. The entry level into the Roadster world is the AMG GT with an output of 350 kW (476 hp). The AMG GT C Roadster adds a completely new output level. With 410 kW (557 hp) it is the more powerful of the two new open-top sports cars.
The AMG GT C Roadster not only delivers more output and torque, it also impresses with numerous technical highlights from the Mercedes-AMG GT R for even more dynamic performance. Like the AMG GT R, the AMG GT C Roadster is recognisable by its wide, muscular rear end and large wheels. Other technical measures include the wider rear track and active rear axle steering.
The AMG GT C Roadster is also equipped with a lithium-ion battery, and has more exclusive appointments. Standard features include a nappa leather interior, the AMG performance steering wheel in nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre and the additional transmission mode RACE.
Both Roadsters are quickly transformed from coupés to open-top sports cars. The fabric roof opens and closes in around eleven seconds, and can do this at speeds of up to 50 km/h. The three soft top colours black, red and beige can be chosen to suit the eleven exterior and ten interior colours. The three-layered fabric soft top is supported by a magnesium/steel/aluminium structure of low weight, which helps to keep the centre of gravity low. Additional rollover protection is provided by an integrated aluminium cross-member with rollover bars.
With the AMGGT C Roadster, Mercedes-AMG is introducing a further output level of the 4.0-litre V8 biturbo, thereby underlining the exclusive character of the new model. At 410 kW (557 hp), the peak output is 35 kW (47 hp) above that of the AMG GT S and 20 kW (28 hp) below the Mercedes-AMG GT R. The maximum torque of 680 newton metres is available from 1900 to 5750 rpm. A sprint from zero to 100 km/h is absolved in 3.7 seconds, and this fulminating acceleration only ends at the top speed of 316 km/h.
The AMG GT Roadster has an output of 350 kW (476 hp) and 630 Nm of torque. This variant accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds and to a top speed of 302 km/h.
The eight-cylinder engine thrills with its immediate response, a linear, finely controllable power delivery and powerful acceleration in all rpm ranges. The AMG 4.0-litre V8 comes with well-proven twin turbocharging, with the two chargers not located outside on the cylinder banks, but rather between them in the V of the cylinders. The advantages of the “hot inner V”: a compact engine design, spontaneous response from the turbochargers and low exhaust emissions thanks to optimum air flow for the close-coupled catalytic converters.
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.
From the expressive AMG Panamericana grille to the long, muscular bonnet and the 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. The new front apron emphasises the car’s width and gives it a four-square appearance on the road. The large outer air inlets ensure the supply of cooling air to the engine. The pronounced shoulder is suggestive of a tensed muscle, and enhances the impression of sheer power and dynamism in combination with the new 19-inch and 20-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a 5-twin-spoke design.
The rear end also features numerous, conspicuous innovations. The new aluminium side walls of the AMG GT C Roadster widen the open-top two-seater by 57 millimetres compared to the AMG GT Roadster. This is exactly the width of the AMG GT R. Compared to the AMG GT Roadster, the muscular form also creates space for the larger wheels and a wider track. Both measures make for traction while allowing higher cornering speeds. The likewise wider contours of the AMG GT C Roadster’s rear apron improve the airflow at the rear with their large outer air vents. Both Roadster variants feature a rear spoiler integrated into the boot lid. This is electrically extended and retracted at defined speds, depending on the selected transmission mode.
Mercedes-AMG also 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 already rigid bodyshell structure has been specifically reinforced further to take account of the car’s design as a roadster: side skirts with greater wall thicknesses and more chambers make the structure more rigid, for example. The dashboard support is braced against the windscreen surround by additional struts, and a strut tower brace between the soft top and the tank reinforces the rear axle. A cross-member behind the seats supports the fixed roll-over protection system.
The boot lid is particularly light, thanks to an innovative composite material. The load-bearing structure is of SMC (Sheet Moulding Compound) with carbon fibres. These high-tech plastics excel with their light weight, great strength and first-class 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.
The AMG lightweight construction experts have also uses an intelligent material mix for the so-called wheel-catching struts made of a composite material. 50 percent lighter than the equivalent in steel, these composite components help to guide the front wheels onto the side members as part of the intended crash kinematics in an accident, and to hold them there.
The interior design echoes the design lines of the exterior. The dashboard places an extreme emphasis on width, creating an impression of a powerful wing.The high beltlines, concave door panels, dynamically rising centre console and low seat position perfectly integrate the driver into the cockpit. The new, light-coloured interior in macchiato beige Exclusive nappa STYLE leather is available for the first time, lending the open-top sports car even more individuality and exclusivity.
The optionally available AMG performance seats provide even more lateral support with more heavily contoured backrest and seat cushion side bolsters. For the first time the AMG performance seat is also optionally available with the AIRSCARF neck-level heating system, which makes open-air driving enjoyable even in low outside temperatures. The air vent is seamlessly integrated into the seat’s head restraint area. To meet the individual preferences of customers, the temperature of the warm airflow can be set in three stages.
Customers wishing to enjoy comfortable temperatures even on very hot summer days will also opt for the seat climate control, which is also available exclusively for the AMG performance seat for the first time. The intensity of the climatisation can also be set in three stages.
