The 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster and GT C Roadster join three versions of the GT coupe, meaning this luxury sports car is now available in no less than five flavors. The Germans just love coming up with new permutations of each model, after all. The GT Roadster will serve as the “base” convertible, while the GT C is a higher-performance model.
Like every other AMG GT variant, the two convertibles use a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 that sends its power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. The V8 makes 469 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque in the GT Roadster, and 550 hp and 502 lb-ft in the GT C. Mercedes says the GT Roadster will do 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 188 mph, while the GT C takes just 3.7 seconds, and tops out at 196 mph.
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The GT C isn’t just a more powerful version of the GT Roadster; it actually uses some hardware from the most hardcore AMG GT variant, the GT R coupe. That includes an electronic locking rear differential, AMG Ride Control adaptive suspension, and a rear-wheel steering system. At speeds below 62 mph, it steers the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the fronts to increase agility. At higher speeds, both sets of wheels turn in the same direction for stability.
Styling wise, the AMG GT looks just as good without a roof as it did with one. Both convertible variants get the “Panamericana” grille first seen on the AMG GT3 race car, and the GT C gets wider fender flares. Under the skin, the extra structural bracing was added to account for the loss of the roof, although Mercedes claims weight gain won’t be too significant, thanks to use of lightweight materials. The convertible soft top takes about 11 seconds to open or close, and can accomplish that feat at speeds up to 31 mph, Mercedes says.
The 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster and GT C Roadster debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, which opens at the end of this month. Both will go on sale in the United States by Fall 2017, with pricing to be announced closer to that date. In the meantime, Mercedes will launch the AMG GT R coupe and a new GT coupe base model, flanking the existing GT S coupe in price and performance.
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