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?
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Oh thank god. As a 20 year old college student I am thankful that Mercedes filled up the gap in the market for me. The standard GT really was too slow while the GT-C was just too fast. This is like a Spring day. Not too cold, not too warm, but just right!
It reminds me of a Honda S2000 with the top up
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time to update the infotainment system from a 2011 A-class as well, maybe add a configurable digital dash too
Yikes that interior looks incrediblely outdated
Why couldn’t they put the new 2 screen on the Facelifted car?
Oh well at least it still has the V8
Is it just me or the GT is due to replacement? I mean it was kinda meh when it came out. It stayed there and now, I just can’t find a reason for someone to buy one. I mean the old SLS despite being a front engined boat, still managed to be compared to a 458 in certain reviews. The new AMG GT looks like it’s in the class of it’s own. And a class that noone wants. I mean it’s not styleish as an Aston Martin, Sporty or fun as a Porsche, and now as crazy as the F-Type. I just can’t think of any reason to buy one. I guess the problem with the GT was always two things. First, it was brilliant, but not as brilliant or perfected into a certain place as any of it’s rival. And two, it wasn’t as powerfull as the SLS.
Does it come in any other colors than yellow? I mean seriously come on, give me a good blue or red or honestly anything but yellow..
Miata is always the answer.