Two Variations Offered: 476ps and 557ps

The car is named "Roadster," not the rumored "Cabriolet." This is a fitting name for the open-top version of a two-seater, high-end premium sports car. As you can see, apart from the electric soft top, the form is largely shared with the conventional "AMG GT." However, a closer look at the "AMG GT Roadster" reveals that it has evolved with subtle differences from the existing "GT."

For instance, the front section. The trapezoidal front grille shares the same design as the high-performance "AMG GT R" added in June. The front spoiler below it is also inherited from the AMG GT R. While not as aggressive as the AMG GT R's design, it shares a similar aesthetic in the shape of the left and right air intakes and the arched design connecting them.

Inside this front bumper, the AMG GT R's electronically controlled grille shutter is integrated. When driving at high speeds, the shutter closes to reduce air resistance, and it opens when needed to improve cooling efficiency.

The design of the underlip, intentionally separated from the body, is another unique feature of the "AMG GT Roadster." This finish differs from both the conventional AMG GT and the top-tier AMG GT R.

While these elements certainly distinguish the newest variation, the AMG GT Roadster, from the front, it's also conceivable that these will be adopted in future minor updates to the coupe version. This leads to speculation that a minor revision of the coupe might also be announced at the Paris Motor Show simultaneously with the Roadster's debut. However, for the record, no announcements regarding changes to the coupe version have been made yet.

More Power Than the Coupe Model

Two variations of the 4-liter V8 twin-turbo engine, mounted in the front-mid position, are offered.

The base model, "AMG GT Roadster," is equipped with a power unit delivering 350 kW (476 hp) and 630 Nm (64.2 kgm) of torque, a 10 kW (14 hp) increase over the conventional "AMG GT." The higher-performance "AMG GT C Roadster" variant, while sharing the same displacement, boasts a 4-liter V8 twin-turbo engine that significantly surpasses the "AMG GT S" in output, delivering 410 kW (557 hp) and 680 Nm (69.3 kgm) of torque, compared to the GT S's 375 kW (510 hp) and 650 Nm (66.3 kgm).

Both are powered by AMG's unique "hot inside V" configuration, featuring two turbochargers nestled within the V-bank of the cylinders, paired with a 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission) known as AMG Speedshift.

The reason for equipping the open-top model with an uprated engine will be explained later, but according to data released by Mercedes-AMG, the "AMG GT Roadster" achieves 0-100 km/h in exactly 4 seconds and a top speed of 302 km/h, while the "AMG GT C Roadster" boasts a 0-100 km/h acceleration of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 316 km/h.

Naturally, these figures fall slightly short of the top model, the AMG GT R, which boasts 430 kW (585 hp), 700 Nm (71.3 kgm) of torque, a 0-100 km/h acceleration of 3.6 seconds, and a top speed of 318 km/h. However, it is important to remember that the AMG GT Roadster, despite its open-top design, is Mercedes' fastest open-top model, offering performance comparable to the AMG GT R.

Narrow and Wide Bodies Offered to Match Performance

Another point to note is the difference in tire sizes between the AMG GT Roadster and the AMG GT C Roadster. The AMG GT Roadster uses 255/35R19 tires at the front and 295/35R19 at the rear. However, to fully accommodate the 410 kW (557 hp) output of the AMG GT C Roadster, it employs staggered tire sizes: 265/35R19 at the front and 305/30R20 at the rear.

A noteworthy aspect is that the AMG GT C Roadster features wider rear fenders than the AMG GT Roadster to accommodate these larger tires. In essence, this mirrors the relationship between the Carrera (narrow body) and Carrera S (wide body) in the pastPorsche "911"models. Incidentally, while the current 991 II generation of thecurrent 991 II generation 911911 has the same overall width for Carrera and Carrera S models, making the comparison slightly complex, it's more accurate to equate it to the Carrera (rear-wheel drive) and Carrera 4 (all-wheel drive) distinction.

Regardless, the rear fenders of the AMG GT C Roadster are wider than those of the AMG GT Roadster. These widened rear fenders, like the front design, are also elements inherited from the AMG GT R. In other words, to put it extremely, the AMG GT C Roadster can be considered a detuned version of the AMG GT R (and an open-top model at that), in terms of both body design and engine performance.

Fully Open in Just 11 Seconds

For the open-top conversion of the AMG GT, Mercedes-AMG significantly reinforced the body structure. Additional reinforcing panels were added in various locations, new members with a chamber structure were used for the rocker panels, and tower braces were incorporated into the rear suspension and the dashboard interior.

These body reinforcement measures, along with the addition of the open-top system including the electric soft top, increased the curb weight to 1,595 kg for the AMG GT Roadster and 1,660 kg for the AMG GT C Roadster. However, this was offset by the uprated "hot inside V" engine. The reason the open-top models achieve performance comparable to their coupe counterparts, the AMG GT and AMG GT S, is precisely this. Conversely, it can be said that the power of the Roadster was intentionally increased to achieve equivalent performance to the coupe in an open-top format.

The electric soft top, a highlight of both the AMG GT Roadster and AMG GT C Roadster, is a three-layer structure that opens and closes in just 11 seconds. It features a robust construction with a lightweight frame made of magnesium, steel, and aluminum. Roll-over bars are also installed behind the seats; in the event of a rollover, the roll-over protection activates, causing the bars to deploy and protect the occupants. Incidentally, these roll-over bars are made of aluminum and are integrated into the cross members, providing a highly robust structure.

The soft top can be opened or closed in just 11 seconds. The operation can be performed while driving at speeds up to 50 km/h. Three fabric colors for the soft top are available: black, red, and beige. These can be coordinated with the owner's preferences, matching the 11 body colors and 10 interior color options.

Exclusive Interior Colors Also Available for Roadster

Among the 10 interior color options is a beige shade, making its debut in the AMG GT series. When driving an open-top car, one is also conscious of being seen. Bright interior colors that contrast with the body color will enhance the sophisticated and elegant ambiance during open-air motoring.

The interior, with its V-bank-inspired design around the shift lever and high-quality materials, remains unchanged from the coupe. Therefore, as befits the premium sports brand AMG, the finishing quality should be impeccable, even in the Roadster model. Familiar Mercedes open-top comfort features, such as the Airscarf that blows warm air to warm the neck during open-air driving on cold days, are also standard on the AMG GT Roadster.

The AMG Speedshift transmission in the AMG GT Roadster and AMG GT C Roadster includes a "RACE" mode, similar to the AMG GT S, designed to enhance the V8 twin-turbo's exhaust note. In RACE mode, the parameters are adjusted for sportier driving, enabling quicker gear changes. While this mode was described as being for circuit driving in the AMG GT S, in the Roadster, it serves to amplify and enjoy the car's sensational sound. The unparalleled privilege of this Roadster is, above all, the ability to fully experience the passionate symphony of the V8 at full volume.