German automaker Mercedes-Benz has unveiled two new convertible versions of its AMG GT sports car days before their expected debut at the Paris Motor Show happening from Oct. 1 to 16.
The Mercedes AMG GT Roadster, which serves as the base model, will already pack a 469 horsepower out of its 4-liter twin turbocharged V8 engine. This allows it to achieve from 0 to 60 miles per hour (mph) in a span of 3.9 seconds, highlighting the fact that it will not be a tame version to the GT coupe.
To provide some context, one could note that it has almost the same horsepower with the Ferrari F40 and more than the 2017 AMG E43. The engine specifications are not radically different from the AMG GT, which came with 456 horsepower. Essentially, the new roadster — along with the higher-spec version GT C Roadster — borrowed significantly from the coupe's hardware, prompting enthusiasts to say that both sports cars are merely open-top versions of the popular Mercedes coupe.
The AMG GT C Roadster, however, appears to be more interesting, as it packs an insane 550 horsepower and a wider rear that can accommodate larger wheels. Its active rear axle steering system was similar to the one found in the AMG GT R. The technology features an ability for the rear wheels to turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, resulting to a significant shortening of the wheel base.
According to an official Mercedes press statement, this ensures that the vehicle has more agility especially when steering into bends, making it perfect to navigate small and winding roads, race tracks and roads that have multiple changes in direction. This function works when the car is running below 62 miles and will revert to the same-directional movement once it breached that threshold to guarantee stability.
Certainly, the technology in the GT C is not only confined to the engine and the wheel system. There is, for instance, the seven-speed twin-clutch transmission that can translate into more acceleration due to the modification in the ratio allocation. Here, the seventh gear got a shorter ratio while the gearbox has higher ratio over all.
There is also an active aero flaps technology outfitted behind the front bumper. This will supposedly minimize drag while the engine is being worked hard and performing cooling at the same time.
Both Mercedes GT roadsters sport aluminum roofs wrapped in fabric, and they come in 11 exterior colors. The roof can be opened or lowered within 11 seconds even when running 30 mph.
