The Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster Is A New Way To Get Germanic Drop-Top Kicks

Up until now, if you’ve wanted your Mercedes-AMG GT in Roadster form, your choices have been a bit limited. It’s either the entry-level, 469bhp GT (a car we’re rather fond of, as it happens) or the beefier GT C with its super-wide GT R rear axle and general air of badassery.

Now though, there’s a nice new version that sits neatly between the two: the GT S. Such a thing has been available from launch for the coupe, but this is the first time the S has appeared in the drop-top range.

Here, the tried-and-tested 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 is good for 515bhp. 0-62mph takes 3.8 seconds - exactly the same as the GT S coupe, and two tenths quicker than the standard GT. At the top end meanwhile, it’s all out of ideas at 191mph. Which will be plenty fast with the roof down.

Further mirroring the GT S coupe’s spec, the newest member of the Roadster family has an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential and standard-fit adaptive dampers. The entry-level GT makes do with a mechanical LSD, and the posher dampers are optional.

If you want to make it sharper still, there’s the option of the AMG Dynamic Plus pack, which gives the car a different steering setup, stiffer suspension plus dynamic engine and transmission mounts that stiffen and slacken automatically as required. Once you tick that box, you can have rear-axle steering too, if you fancy.

UK order books are open now, with a starting price of £126,730. Unsurprisingly, that slots it nicely between the GT and the GT C.

If you had the choice, what kind of AMG GT Roadster would you pick?