javier romagosa
Classic or not classic, above all we love cars. So when they offered me test this Mercedes AMG GT C RoadsterI didn't even think about it. I have to admit that I didn't have much use for the model, so the first thing I did was start researching it. This is a model that was presented, in its coupe version, in September 2014 as Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG replacement.
In this case, stylistic tributes were dispensed with - the SLS AMG became a X modernized- for create a car with its own personality and that managed to not look like any other sports car on the market. A device almost two meters wide and less than 1,3 m high whose image was intimidating. The engine, located behind the front axle, was a 8 cm biturbo V3.982.3 what yielded 462 HP in the “normal” version and 510 HP in the S. The seven-speed dual-clutch sequential gearbox was developed together with the specialist Getrag.
With such a display, and although the weight was over 1.600 kilos, the Mercedes-AMG GT was a bomb, because easily exceeded 300 km/h. In the case of the most sporty models, the gentlemen's agreement of the German brands to limit your cars to 250 km/h. The ultimate goal of the star brand was compete with him Porsche 911, although with the engine where every self-respecting grand tourer has it: at the front.
THE MERCEDES-AMG GT ROADSTER
The car received an excellent reception, which encouraged Mercedes to present an open version called Roadster. This saw the light of day for the first time on September 15, 2016 at the Paris Motor Show. It would hit the market in the spring of 2017. To save weight, a soft top was chosen instead of a rigid roof, although other parts of the chassis had to be reinforced, thus Roadster model is slightly heavier than the coupe.
The same familiar engine block was retained, although the normal model saw its power increased to 476 HP, while the S reached 522 HP. By the way, version C was introduced, even more powerful, as it included improvements such as wider tracks, rear axle steering, variable hardness rear shock absorbers and larger brakes. In this case, the power went up to 557 hp between 5.750 and 6.750 rpm.
There would be one more version to crown a glorious range, the AMG GT-R with 585 HP and 700 Nm of torque. An unleashed beast that reached 100 km/h from a standstill in just 3,6 seconds. It is not surprising at all that the GT-S and GT-R -although in a closed version- acted as Safety Car in the F1 between 2015 and 2022.
THE MERCEDES-AMG GT C ROADSTER FROM OUR TEST
Today is a special day, of course, any day in which one goes to test a sports car with more than 550 hp it is. And, furthermore, I insist, one with true personality, with that front presided over by the Mercedes-Benz star and a width that exceeds two meters in this widened C version. Its appearance, with the cabin set back from the center of the car, is that of a feline waiting to pounce on its prey. The body painted in spectacular petrol blue contrasts with the black wheels of different sizes, 19 inches at the front and 20 at the rear.
At all times, give a feeling of enormous solidity. It's what you expect from a Mercedes, from a German car, raised to the nth power. I open the door and drop into the cabin. Yes, fall, because the driving position is really low. All in all, the space available, especially in the width level, is more than good. Of course, the overall ergonomics are exceptional and The finishes and buttons show that extra point of sophistication that show off the best Mercedes products. Everything in the cabin has exquisite quality and feel.
El Dashboard is digital and completely customizable using the touch controls on the steering wheel. You have to get used to using them, but after that they are amazing. The same thing happens with the multimedia system screen, which offers almost infinite possibilities that, unfortunately, I will not be able to enjoy. And today my mission is different, it is to convey to you the driving impressions of a heavy-duty machine. Since we are talking about a convertible, I proceed to remove the canvas roof, operation that only takes 11 seconds. What's more, we can do it with the vehicle running, as long as we do not exceed 60 km/h. By the way, the hood could be ordered in three colors: black, red and beige.
IN ACTION
It's time to start with the proof of this Mercedes AMG GT C Roadster, which is started by means of a button on the dashboard. Immediately, we get a thunderous sound from the exhaust, which is specific to this C version. As a sports car, it is a kind of convertible GT, although It is sportier than GT, since he runs that he peels them. A device in which you sit as you should: very short and with your legs stretched out.
Once in motion, it is not difficult to get used to its dimensions. In addition, external visibility is excellent, which encourages us to start playing with the different driving modes, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Race, which operate as an escalation of hostilities. Race mode is best reserved for the circuit. From the beginning, it is striking how the engine pushes at all times and situations. It is noted that the maximum torque of 780 Nm is available between 2.100 and 5.500 rpm. Furthermore, by going down one or two gears, We will be catapulted forward like in a shuttle.
Going fast is very simple, but going very, very fast is not difficult either.. You have to be very unconscious to get into trouble, because, even with the driving aids switched off, the GT C Roadster takes care of you. In addition, the soundproofing of the cabin is excellent, despite which we can hear - and feel - the powerful V8 in front of our feet. If we remove the hood, the comfort level remains intact, since aerodynamics ensure that we continue traveling comfortably.
WE ARE GOING ON CURVES
We talk about a model created to compete with the Porsche 911, so it's time to look for a mountain road to see what stuff it's made of. Here comes the biggest surprise of the entire test, as it moves between curves in a way that was difficult to imagine given its size and weight. In addition, its enormous roads allow it step with a poise worthy of a supercar. And he is literally nailed to the asphalt.
I go further, since it has the engine behind the front axle, its character is quite neutral, no trace of understeer at any time. Quite the contrary, oversteer appears sooner, since the rear is even playful. It looks like it is something that Mercedes-Benz has looked for on purpose to give character to the car. All in all, it is not difficult to bring the rear back into the fold unless we are really over laps, and I am not referring to the engine revolutions...
We link one curve after another with a solvency that It makes us forget that we are driving a two-meter-wide device.. It is effectiveness made sporty. You come to a curve, slam on the brake, turn and, with the car straight, slam on the accelerator. You repeat the sequence over and over again, The GT C Roadster obeys your instructions with blind faith. Speaking of brakes, two paellas of 390 mm and 360 mm are responsible for stopping the more than 1.800 kilograms of weight - driver included - in a timely manner. At no time do they show signs of fatigue, quite an achievement.
EPILOGUE
The afternoon begins to turn into night, which forces us to conclude the test of the Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster. With great regret I stop next to the photographer and I get off exhausted, but absolutely happy of a car that summarizes very well the enormous heights that the automobile has reached in recent decades. It's hard to find a single drawback, it's designed to do anything you can think of.
The bottom line is that, when Mercedes-Benz starts making sports cars, He always hits the right button and they are of the highest level.. We saw it in the past with models like the 300 SL “Gull Wings” and we continue to see it today. Fortunately, our protagonist has had the mandatory relief of him in a model that continues with a philosophy that differentiates it from rivals such as the aforementioned Porsche 911 or the Audi R8.
We can only hope that the star brand continues making sports cars for many more years, perhaps with a noisy combustion engine under the hood. If it is also capable of offering the magnificent symphony of the GT C Roadster's engine, it's just fine.
Images by Javier Romagosa.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MERCEDES-AMG GT C ROADSTER |
|
| Motor | Longitudinal front center |
| Displacement | 3.982 cm3 |
| Cylinders | V-8 |
| Diameter x stroke | 83 x 92 mm |
| Maximum power | 557 hp between 5.750 and 6.750 rpm |
| Maximum torque | 680 Nm between 2.100 and 5.500 rpm |
| Food | direct injection, turbo, intercooled |
| Compression ratio | 9,5:1 |
| Distribution | Double camshafts in each cylinder head, four valves per cylinder |
| Fuel | Petrol |
| Traction | Rear |
| Gearbox | Seven-speed sequential automatic + ma |
| Clutch | Two oil-bathed multi-disc clutches |
| Bodywork | Convertible (two seats) |
| Front suspension | Independent, deformable parallelogram, coil spring, stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension | Independent, deformable parallelogram, coil spring, stabilizer bar |
| Address | Hydraulic rack |
| Brakes | 390 mm (front) and 360 mm (rear) ventilated discs |
| Length/width/height | 4.551 / 2.007 / 1.260 mm |
| Ways | 1.678/1.695 mm |
| Battle | 2.630 mm |
| Weight : | 1.735 kg |
| Tires | 9 × 19 - 12 × 20 |
| Tires | 265/35 R19 - 305/30 R20 |
| Deposit | 75 liters |
| Trunk | 165 liters |
| Maximum speed | 316 km/h |
| 0 to 100 km / h | 3,7 s |
| Consumer goods | 12,8s (combined) |
| Weight / power ratio | 3,11 kg / CV |
| year of presentation | 2014 (coupe), 2016 (Roadster) |
| years of production | 2014-2022 |
| Production | 18.755 units (approx.) |
| Quotes | Since 100.000 € |
