Photo: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
In spite of its fearsome performance figures and even more frightening exhaust sound of its 4.0-liter V8 engine, we've always felt the Mercedes-AMG GT looked a bit benign. Beautiful, granted, but strictly from a visual point of view, it lacked in the teeth department.
That didn't stop it from putting a nice fight against the likes of Porsche 911 or Jaguar F-Type, or from selling like hot cakes in all the markets it was present on. With just a little over a year gone since the date of its launch, the AMG GT is already starting to look like one of the most successful models Affalterbach has ever produced.
Now, though, there's a new model in the pipes, and judging by the spy images we've seen so far, it looks like it will address that exceedingly friendly demeanor the GT has treated us to so far. The new car wears the AMG GT-R moniker and from what we know so far, it will take the roadster's ball game to a whole new level.
The Mercedes-AMG GT S pumps out 510 hp from its twin-turbo V8 engine, but the GT-R is expected to add at least 10 percent more, if not close to 20 percent. That means we could see a maximum power output anywhere within the 550 and 600 hp interval, with a boost in the available torque as well. There's no telling what this newly gained strength will do for the car's actual performances, but expect a slight drop in the 3.8-second 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint time.
The GT-R won't just rely on more grunt, but will double it with a consistent diet that will help the new car shed some of its weight. The AMG GT S currently tilts the scales at 3,626 lb (1,645 kg), but since the GT-R is a track-oriented not track-exclusive car, it'll keep plenty of its comfort features. Therefore, it's hard to imagine it will lose more than 220 lbs (100 kg).
The most obvious aesthetic changes - helped by the fact that much of the car is still under wraps - can be seen at both ends of the car. The front is dominated by that reversed trapezoidal grille and the larger than usual air intakes in the bumper, while the rear gets an extended spoiler, a central twin exhaust system flanked by two air diffusers. To complete the more aggressive look, the GT-R also appears to sit lower, while the wheel arches have been flared to accommodate the wider tires.
The Mercedes-AMG GT-R looks like it will be able to pull this meaner attitude, and this is just by looking at some static images. Seeing it in motion and, most importantly, hearing it roar will surely only strengthen that impression. And with two months of the new year already behind us, we don't have that much time left to wait, since the GT-R is expected to launch this summer and become available for order in autumn.
Now, though, there's a new model in the pipes, and judging by the spy images we've seen so far, it looks like it will address that exceedingly friendly demeanor the GT has treated us to so far. The new car wears the AMG GT-R moniker and from what we know so far, it will take the roadster's ball game to a whole new level.
The Mercedes-AMG GT S pumps out 510 hp from its twin-turbo V8 engine, but the GT-R is expected to add at least 10 percent more, if not close to 20 percent. That means we could see a maximum power output anywhere within the 550 and 600 hp interval, with a boost in the available torque as well. There's no telling what this newly gained strength will do for the car's actual performances, but expect a slight drop in the 3.8-second 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint time.
The GT-R won't just rely on more grunt, but will double it with a consistent diet that will help the new car shed some of its weight. The AMG GT S currently tilts the scales at 3,626 lb (1,645 kg), but since the GT-R is a track-oriented not track-exclusive car, it'll keep plenty of its comfort features. Therefore, it's hard to imagine it will lose more than 220 lbs (100 kg).
The most obvious aesthetic changes - helped by the fact that much of the car is still under wraps - can be seen at both ends of the car. The front is dominated by that reversed trapezoidal grille and the larger than usual air intakes in the bumper, while the rear gets an extended spoiler, a central twin exhaust system flanked by two air diffusers. To complete the more aggressive look, the GT-R also appears to sit lower, while the wheel arches have been flared to accommodate the wider tires.
The Mercedes-AMG GT-R looks like it will be able to pull this meaner attitude, and this is just by looking at some static images. Seeing it in motion and, most importantly, hearing it roar will surely only strengthen that impression. And with two months of the new year already behind us, we don't have that much time left to wait, since the GT-R is expected to launch this summer and become available for order in autumn.
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