What's all this about?
If you're wondering why there are two 'thunderous German performance car'-shaped holes in the currently six-car Mercedes-AMG GT line-up, then you should be satisfied that at least one of them is about to be filled. This is the new Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster.
Didn't we already have the GT S Roadster?
No, we did not. The GT launched originally as a coupe only, in 476- and 510hp forms. These were known as the GT and the GT S respectively. Then AMG went to the other end of the scale and released the fire-breathing, 585hp GT R, a coupe that was designed in the main for the race track. Following that, the Roadster arrived, in 476hp GT form, at the same time as the sort of halfway-point between the S and R models, called the GT C - this had 557hp and used some of the tricky chassis hardware of the GT R, only it was a little less mental to drive on the road. Only a little less mental, mind; it's still a properly unhinged beast. The GT C Roadster came first, but it was swiftly followed by the GT C Coupe.
So that leaves a gap at GT S Roadster level.
Yes, now duly plugged by the firm from Affalterbach. Retailing at a base price of £126,730, the GT S Roadster actually has a slightly meatier derivation of the 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine than the original 510hp/650Nm GT S Coupe, with 522hp and 670Nm (which the GT S Coupe now adopts, too... we hope you're still following all this, by the way). That means 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and a 192mph top whack. You'll also get up to 24.6mpg (ahem...) and 262g/km CO2.
Standard equipment includes a seven-speed AMG Speedshift DCT gearbox, a choice of three colours for the roof (black, beige and red), an AMG performance exhaust system, 19-inch front and 20-inch rear alloys, Nappa leather upholstery, an Active Air Control system, AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive damping, LED headlights, Comand Online and an electrically extending rear spoiler.
OK, and what about any extras?
A meaty £3,195 bags you the Premium Equipment line, incorporating Keyless Go, a Burmester surround-sound system, a reversing camera, AMG illuminated door sills, Parktronic parking assist and a Mirror Package. For another £1,695, the Driving Assistance Package chucks in Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Distronic adaptive cruise control and Pre-Safe. Driving fans will want the AMG Dynamic Plus Package (£1,795), with dynamic engine and transmission mounts, plus firmer suspension with a specific state of tune. And then you can drop another six grand (well, £5,995) on AMG high-performance carbon-ceramic brakes.
Will there be a GT R Roadster?
Unlikely, as AMG believes that is such a focused machine that it needs a hard roof; although the GT C Roadster is an impressive sports car, so the convertible could probably take the 585hp motor... Anyway, enough idle speculation; Mercedes-AMG GT prices start at £102,030 for the 476hp Coupe (189mph, 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds) and run to more than £140,000 for either of the GT C Roadster or GT R Coupe. Roadster models start at £113,430, again with the 476hp GT model.
Matt Robinson - 14 May 2018