2018 Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster Goes Topless With 515 Horsepower And 192MPH Top Speed
Sometimes the weather calls for cruising down the road with the top rolled down, Thelma and Louise style (minus the ending). Mercedes-AMG has again added that option to its growing line of GT sports cars, the latest of which is the topless GT S Roadster. It's the third GT Roadster model in the company's stable, to go along with four two-dour coupes, three four-door coupes, and a pair of customer race cars.
That's right, there are now a dozen AMG GT sports cars, and like the two other GT Roadster models, the GT S Roadster boasts a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine. This gives it 469 horsepower in the standard package and 465 pounds-feet of torque, or buyers can opt for the C version with additional grunt—515 horsepower and 494 pounds-feet of torque. Either way, the GT S Roadster has plenty of get up and go.
"With the AMG GT S Roadster, our AMG GT family has gained another exceptionally sporty member that combines high driving dynamics with an emotional open-air experience," says Tobias Moers, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. "The new model represents the perfect alternative for the performance-oriented AMG GT Roadster customer."
One thing Mercedes-AMG was quick to point out is that the two turbocharges of the V8 are not positioned on the outside of the cylinder banks, but inside the cylinder "V." The advantages of going with this type of design include a compact engine with spontaneous response, along with low exhaust emissions by way of optimal airflow to the near-engine catalysts. In addition, it allows the engine to be installed lower, moving the center of gravity closer to the road for high lateral acceleration.
The base model GT S Roadster can go from 0-60 MPH is just 3.9 seconds, while the C model gets there in 3.6 seconds. Top speed is 188 MPH for the former and 196 MPH for the latter, which Mercedes-AMG averages to 192 MPH for the GT S Roadster as a whole. Performance metrics will also depend on which of the five driving modes a user selects, including C (comfort), S (sport), S+ (sport plus), RACE, and the individually programmable I (individual).
"In all modes, key parameters such as the response of the engine and transmission, the accelerator characteristics, das AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension, the steering, the 3-stage ESP and the position of the AMG Performance exhaust flaps are modified," Mercedes-AMG added.
Look for the GT S Roadster to go on sale later this year, at which time pricing will be revealed.
