Ever since Mercedes-Benz has spun off AMG into Mercedes-AMG, the Affalterbach-based business has been booming. Staying faithful to the AMG way of designing cars (torquey engine at the front, RWD, stupendous looks), the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster and Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster are full-on thrill-seeking machines.
What does the C stand for? As it happens, C doesn’t stand for anything remotely interesting. It’s simply a letter used to demarcate an output level for the GT model lineup. Hence, the biggest difference between the GT Roadster (pictured in white) and GT C Roadster (pictured in grey) is the oomph.
In the GT Roadster, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 pushes 476 PS (469 horsepower), representing a very modest bump over the entry-level GT coupe. In the GT C Roadster’s case, the engine churns out 557 PS (549 horsepower). As for torque, the 2017 Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster boasts 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) between 1,700 and 5,000 rpm, while the GT C Roadster provides 680 Nm (502 lb-ft) between 1,900 and 5,750 rpm.
From a design standpoint, the roadster variants of the Mercedes-AMG GT use the track-bred GT R’s face, including the active air management system and the front grille. They also incorporate a fabric roof which can be folded in “around 11 seconds” at speeds of up to 30 mph (50 km/h). Speaking of which, the three-layered top can be had in three colors: black, red or beige.
Another visual differentiator comes in the form of how the rear end looks. The GT C Roadster can be distinguished from the GT Roadster by the more muscular rear wheel arches, which aren’t there just for show. The GT C Roadster employs the same rear track and active rear axle steering system as the GT R. From the looks of it and from what we’re promised in the spec sheet (see release below the video), everything comes together quite nicely.
"With the AMG GT C Roadster, we are also introducing a new model variant to which we have transferred main performance-related components from our top sports car, the AMG GT R,” declared Tobias Moers, the big kahuna of Mercedes-AMG. “The result: a highly dynamic driving experience in a very exclusive ambiance, coupled with that pure roadster feeling,” he added.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News