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Written by Jack Rix
The Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster has arrived, in jpeg format at least, ahead of its big debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month. And here"s the surprise: it"s not the soft and gentle sister car to the coupe you might have expected. From the off there will be a standard GT Roadster with 469bhp, but also a much less-sane 549bhp GT C Roadster variant (a new power output for the GT family) that borrows swathes of its hardware from the Mercedes-AMG GT R Coupe.The C"s 549bhp output (46bhp more than the AMG GT S Coupe, and 28bhp less than the AMG GT R Coupe), from AMG"s 4.0-litre twin-turbo motor, is enough for 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and a 196mph top speed (compared to 4.0 seconds and 188mph for the standard version). And while it"s not quite as extreme to look at as the bewinged and Hulk-green GT R, it gets all the best bits from that car"s spec.Highlights include an AMG performance exhaust and electronic differential as standard, 57mm more rear width than the standard Roadster thanks to swollen bodywork to accommodate a wider track with wider wheels, and the R"s rear-wheel steering system. It also borrows active aero flaps behind the front bumper from the R, minimising drag when the engine"s cruising or maximising cooling when it"s working hard. New for the C is a shorter first gear ratio for the seven-speed twin clutch, and a longer seventh, plus an active pop-up rear spoiler that extends and retracts depending on speed and transmission mode.Despite Merc"s best efforts to keep the weight down with aluminium wishbones, steering knuckles and hub cariers, a composite boot lid and a magnesium, steel and aluminium roof structure (wrapped in three layers of fabric) there are inevitable weight penalities to pay. Additional strengthening in the side skirts, dash and behind the seats means at 1670kg, the GT Roadster weighs 55kg more than the GT Coupe, where as the 1735kg GT C Roadster weighs a chunky 90kg more than the GT S Coupe.The roof itself can be lowered and raised in 11 seconds, and up to around 30mph. You can have your soft-top in black, red or beige, too, along with eleven exterior colours and ten interior colours. There are no prices yet, but expect to pay a juicy premium over the 97,210 GT Coupe for the standard Roadster, and an even juicier one over the 110,510 GT S Coupe for the C Roadster.
Date written: 14 Sep 2016
More of this article on the Top gear website
ID: 5004
The Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster has arrived, in jpeg format at least, ahead of its big debut at the Paris Motor Show later this month. And here"s the surprise: it"s not the soft and gentle sister car to the coupe you might have expected. From the off there will be a standard GT Roadster with 469bhp, but also a much less-sane 549bhp GT C Roadster variant (a new power output for the GT family) that borrows swathes of its hardware from the Mercedes-AMG GT R Coupe.The C"s 549bhp output (46bhp more than the AMG GT S Coupe, and 28bhp less than the AMG GT R Coupe), from AMG"s 4.0-litre twin-turbo motor, is enough for 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and a 196mph top speed (compared to 4.0 seconds and 188mph for the standard version). And while it"s not quite as extreme to look at as the bewinged and Hulk-green GT R, it gets all the best bits from that car"s spec.Highlights include an AMG performance exhaust and electronic differential as standard, 57mm more rear width than the standard Roadster thanks to swollen bodywork to accommodate a wider track with wider wheels, and the R"s rear-wheel steering system. It also borrows active aero flaps behind the front bumper from the R, minimising drag when the engine"s cruising or maximising cooling when it"s working hard. New for the C is a shorter first gear ratio for the seven-speed twin clutch, and a longer seventh, plus an active pop-up rear spoiler that extends and retracts depending on speed and transmission mode.Despite Merc"s best efforts to keep the weight down with aluminium wishbones, steering knuckles and hub cariers, a composite boot lid and a magnesium, steel and aluminium roof structure (wrapped in three layers of fabric) there are inevitable weight penalities to pay. Additional strengthening in the side skirts, dash and behind the seats means at 1670kg, the GT Roadster weighs 55kg more than the GT Coupe, where as the 1735kg GT C Roadster weighs a chunky 90kg more than the GT S Coupe.The roof itself can be lowered and raised in 11 seconds, and up to around 30mph. You can have your soft-top in black, red or beige, too, along with eleven exterior colours and ten interior colours. There are no prices yet, but expect to pay a juicy premium over the 97,210 GT Coupe for the standard Roadster, and an even juicier one over the 110,510 GT S Coupe for the C Roadster.
Date written: 14 Sep 2016
More of this article on the Top gear website
ID: 5004
