Mercedes-AMG GT, GT C Roadsters Unveiled!

Are you tall? Find the headroom lacking in most cars? Well, here are a couple of cars just for you! Mercedes-Benz has just taken the wraps off the AMG GT and AMG GT C roadsters. The AMG GT coupe made its debut back in September 2014, and now, just about two years later, the supercar is available in its long-awaited topless avatars.

Powertrain

Like the coupes, both variants are powered by AMG’s 4.0-litre, twin-turbo V8 that features direct injection. The entry-level AMG GT roadster weighs around 55kg more than the standard coupe, but the power-to-weight ratios are nearly identical, while the drop-top’s torque-to-weight ratio is even better. How did the boffins at Affalterbach manage this? Well, the roadster produces 630Nm of torque and 476PS of power – 30Nm and 14PS more than the coupe. The end result is a common 0-100kmph time of 4.0 seconds, with a top whack of 302kmph (two short of the coupe’s electronically limited 304kmph).

The GT C roadster, on the other hand, gets the same engine to produce 557PS of power and 680Nm of torque (47PS and 30Nm more than the AMG GT S). What’s more, it gets an injection of some of the GT R’s DNA for upgraded dynamics. Elements thrown in include a wider rear track and active rear-axle steering, allowing for higher cornering speeds. It also gets a lithium-ion battery; though, for the uninitiated, we’d like to point out that this isn’t a hybrid. The GT C does the 0-100kmph sprint in 3.7 seconds with the top speed rated at 316kmph. Both convertibles get AMG’s ‘SPEEDSHIFT’ seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox that drives all that delicious grunt to the rear axle.

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The soft-top

Of course, the highlight of the convertibles is the new soft-top. The fabric roof opens and closes in around 11 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 50kmph. The fabric colour options include black, red and beige, which can be chosen to suit the 11 exterior and 10 interior colour options. The three-layered roof is supported by a lightweight magnesium/steel/aluminium structure, which helps keep the centre of gravity low. Additional rollover protection is provided by an integrated aluminium cross-member with rollover bars.

Structure and aerodynamics

As you’d expect, the bodyshell has been reinforced further and features thicker side skirts and more chambers for added rigidity. Additionally, a strut tower brace between the soft-top and the tank reinforces the rear axle.

Both roadster variants also feature a spoiler integrated into the boot lid. This is electrically extended and retracted at defined speeds, depending on the selected transmission mode, i.e., ‘Comfort’, ‘Sport’, ‘Sport +’, ‘Race’ (AMG GT C only) and ‘Individual’. Additionally, they integrate the GT R’s active air management system, which features vertical louvres placed behind the front air vents. These louvres can be opened and closed by an electric motor in around one second. They open up for increased cooling when required and remain shut otherwise to reduce drag.

With the introduction of the new roadsters, the AMG GT family now has five members – the AMG GT, AMG GT S, AMG GT roadster, AMG GT C Roadster and the AMG GT R – strengthening its offensive against Porsche’s 911 family. Prices haven’t been announced, but the convertibles will hit dealerships in select markets next year. An Indian debut can be expected in the first half of 2018 and Mercedes-Benz India may choose to offer only the AMG GT C.