Thursday 29th September 2016

Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster - Paris 2016

More power than the Coupe, tech from the GT R and a 196mph top speed - could this be the best GT yet?

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While some additions to the ever expanding AMG family haven't been too well received, the confirmation of an AMG GT Roadster should be very popular. Here's a raucous and very talented rear-wheel drive sports car, now available as a rather attractive roadster with even more power. Of course.

The V8 drop-top recipe brought right up to date

We'll come to the V8 in a moment, but it's worth starting with how it looks. There are two versions; the GT Roadster and the more potent GT C Roadster, more or less equating to the GT and GT Sversions of the coupe. AMG describes the roadster as "a pure sports car experience even when stationary", with key features for this car including the AMG Panamericana grille seen on the 585hp GT R, a new front bumper and a "pronounced shoulder... suggestive of a tensed muscle". Interestingly the AMG GT C in these first pictures is 57mm wider at the rear compared to the standard AMG GT Roadster, identical to the GT R and necessary for larger wheels, rear-wheel steering and wider track. You suspect it might look a tad better too, though we'll wait to see the GT Roadster to be sure. The wheels are a new design too.

For the GT C power for the M178 'hot-V' 4.0-litre V8 has been boosted over the GT S coupe by 47hp to 557hp and torque is now up from 480lb ft to 501lb ft. AMG claims this is sufficient for a 0-62mph sprint of 3.7 seconds and a 196mph top speed. Moreover, unique to the GT C is new hardware and software for the dual-clutch 'box, including a higher first gear and final drive. For the GT Roadster power and torque are also up, coming in at 476hp and 465lb ft over 462hp and 442lb ft in the 'entry level' GT coupe we enjoyed recently. 0-62 for the GT Roadster is four dead while it tops out at 189mph. Like the coupes, the faster version brings AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive dampers plus an electronically controlled limited-slip diff, as opposed to the passive dampers and mechanical diff in the 'base' version.

GT C brings a lot over standard GT Roadster

Though it's claimed that the soft top is 'weight optimised' with a structure made of magnesium, steel and aluminium, there is a weight penalty for the Roadster thanks to the chassis reinforcement that includes thicker side skirts, additional dash support struts and a new strut brace. The GT C is officially 90kg heavier than the GT S to EU standards at 1,735kg, with the GT Roadster only carrying another 55kg over its coupe equivalent at 1,670kg. The roof itself can be lowered or raised at up to 31mph, taking "around" 11 seconds either way. It will be offered in black, red or beige. Perhaps most importantly though, and as suggested in the spy shots, the GT is a drop-top that still looks great with the roof raised. Useful to know in the UK...

Don't think the GT R influence stops at the grille either. Not only is the four-wheel steer carried over to the GT C but it also gets the active air management system with its electronically controlled front louvres. Also standard on the GT C - you sense AMG is particularly keen to sell this over the GT - is a performance exhaust, said to provide an "even more emotive sound experience."

Bring on next summer already!

The GT Roadster is not all V8 thunder and fury though; this is still a Mercedes drop-top after all. So there's a new macchiato beige leather colour available, a standard Externed Coupled Subwoofer (ECS) and the Airscarf system too.

The AMG GT and GT C Roadster are due at next month's Paris motor show, with prices and UK spec to follow soon after. It will face its fair share of competition as well, with the new R8 Spyder not far off and familiar challengers in the shape of the Jaguar F-Type and Porsche 911. Would the AMG be your super sports cabriolet of choice?

[a6khu]

Looks fab-want! Must be one of the very few times a cab will be available as a more powerful alternative to the coupe even if the upgraded version of the latter is gonna be around the corner. Question is, why would you want the SL AMG now?

[Atmospheric]

My favourite new car and also now favourite new convertible. Has an essence on heritage and having heard the "Hot V" 4.0 V8, i wholeheartedly approve.

The M159 from the SLS dropped in the coupe would be the ultimate combo, just saying...

[sidesauce]

Ooof. Phwoar. Wibble. etc

That's delicious!

[gumsie]

a6khu said:

Looks fab-want! Must be one of the very few times a cab will be available as a more powerful alternative to the coupe even if the upgraded version of the latter is gonna be around the corner. Question is, why would you want the SL AMG now?

They should drop the SL and rebadge this.

[V8 Animal]

gumsie said:

They should drop the SL and rebadge this.

Bringing out a new SL in 2018 soft top version with more power than this.
Not sure if I understand there logic.

[lord trumpton]

The ultimate roadster - yummy

[SuperVM]

Not usually a roadster man, but that looks amazing.

[p1stonhead]

This is absolutely stunning.

[thecremeegg]

Wow! That is stunning!

[philmots]

It is very nice but I'd still rather an F Type.

[DamnKraut]

V8 Animal said:

Bringing out a new SL in 2018 soft top version with more power than this.
Not sure if I understand there logic.

I think tradition plays a role here. The SL has always been regarded by MB as the successor to the famous gullwing SL of the 1950s.
Admittedly it now sits between the chairs (AMG GT Roadster vs S Class Convertible). I would have thought that given this position and its modest sales figures MB would not invest significantly into the SL any more, same as with the SLC. They seem to be doing well if they can afford to have such an overlapping product portfolio.

[Smokey32]

Dual clutch box? Since when?

[Burnham]

I'm more Coupe man than a soft-top man - certainly I'd have an F-Type Coupe over the F-Type convertible.....but in this case I think the GT Convertible looks soooo good, even putting the increase in power aside, this would be where my remortgage goes.

[HeMightBeBanned]

That looks fabulous and has gone very high on my 'want' list.

[GroundEffect]

Want. Want. Want.

[SPMX5]

oh wow that looks exceptional

[Buff Mchugelarge]

I prefer the F type to look at tbh..

[Dan Trent]

Smokey32 said:

Dual clutch box? Since when?

Since it was introduced on the SLS from which the GT is derived! Same Getrag seven-speed 'box as Ferrari uses on 458/488/California fact fans!

Cheers,

Dan

[Alex_225]

I absolutely love that, looks stunning (albeit the back has a whiff of S2000 about it) and I've been a big fan of the AMG GT so ultimately this ticks a lot of boxes.

That said, would I take it over the hard top? Possibly not, I think the back end of the GT just looks right and I'm less one for convertibles. Still a very handsome car.

[jamespink]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

In truth it would have been great with an I-Pad in the dash, instead they have a non upgradable display with the usual stupid slow sat nav and not much more...

The rest of the car is blinding though, frost grey with brown leather please...