Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster Review
Car Tested: Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster; Road Test No. 1174; Test Location: Mumbai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 2,59,16,688/-
The Mercedes-AMG GT leaves you spellbound with the dramatic way that it drives in!
Powerful, raw and menacing. These words perfectly sum up our experience with the Mercedes-AMG GT R we drove a few months ago. Finished in green, the car looked bonkers and had the performance to match. It really seemed like no Mercedes could get more exciting. Now though, we have got the convertible version of it. We don’t have the range-topping R version but the open-top is sure to exhilarate. We find out how the roadster version of Mercedes’ hugely entertaining supercar fares.
Motor Quest: AMG, the performance arm of Mercedes-Benz is no stranger to building exotic, driver-focused machines. In 2010, the company unveiled the SLS AMG – a two-door, two-seater sports car that left everyone in awe. The supercar had ‘Gullwing’ doors, a feature that was first seen in the Mercedes Benz 360 SL coupe. In addition to the style, the SLS AMG raised the bar for performance and usability out of a supercar. After a successful run of almost 4 years, Mercedes-AMG replaced their famed SLS with the GT coupe. It was similar in concept but missed the gullwing doors. Mercedes-AMG launched the GT S in India in 2015, followed by the GT Roadster and the GT R.
The Coupes were already enticing but the Roadster takes it a step further
Exteriors – The Mercedes-AMG GT looks drop-dead-gorgeous and the roadster version only adds to the character of the design. The front looks unhinged with a massive grille and the prominent vertical lines on it. The huge Mercedes logo sits with pride atop it. The edgy headlamps contribute to the muscular feel. What is very striking about the AMG-GT is the long bonnet. The bonnet has neatly done creases and air vents and the sheer length is reminiscent to the old Mercedes coupes.
The aggressive, mean and low front profile gives the Roadster a bold face
The long bonnet, massive grille, carbon fibre touches and vibrant colours will remind you of the famous SLS AMG
The long bonnet, short cabin and the slightly stubby boot give this car a classic roadster look. The black AMG spoke forged alloy wheels, blackened air vents across the side, carbon fibre finished wing mirrors and the black fabric roof – all of it looks very well done and highlight the car’s sporting credentials. We absolutely love the red colour on our test car. Speaking of, the India-spec model does without three colours. We find that rather absurd considering that the AMG GT Roadster is a CBU and should’ve come with all the paint options.
With the top down, the AMG GT Roadster simply looks breathtaking
At the rear, you get those long, brilliantly detailed tail lights and the well-integrated active spoiler. We love the exhausts and the fact that the roof takes only 11 seconds to open and close provided you are below 50 km/hr. In all, whether the roof is up or down, the AMG-GT roadster looks quite sexy.
Compared to the GT R, the Roadster is a bit more comfortable and practical
Interiors – Step inside the very low slung interiors and, chances are, you will appreciate what is on offer. The interior is unchanged from the AMG GT coupe. The seating position is absolutely spot-on. It gives you a feeling of being in a formula one car. The high centre tunnel with the important buttons nestled on either side is clever, makes the cabin ergonomic. We found that the seats in the AMG GT Roadster were more comfortable than the ones on the R-spec model. There is a generous use of leather and the quality is all but faultless.
Apart from the limited headroom, space is nothing to complain about
The commanding driving position coupled with the high centre tunnel gives you a sense of being in a formula one car
In fact, the cabin oozes luxury. You get all the equipment like electric seats, climate control, premium audio amongst others. The interior does not feel pared down and is up there with the likes of the Porsche 911. Space is great but some may find the headroom, courtesy of the fabric roof, to be a little tight. But only the tallest of people are likely to complain.
The cabin oozes a sense of luxury & quality of materials used are first-rate
The AMG GT Roadster misses out on Mercedes’ MBUX infotainment system and the new steering wheel design because this car came in earlier. Other small complaint we have is the positioning of the gear selector which is a touch too far behind. The instrument cluster looks sexy too and the analog dials combined with the colour MID give it a very nice feel.
Being an AMG, one can customize their Roadster to their heart’s content
The feature-loaded cabin feels premium, ultra sporty and well put-together
Being an AMG, you can choose between a variety of interior colour and combinations. But all of it is expensive and you could be adding a couple of lakhs to the car’s base price. We like the interior of the AMG-GT Roadster and we think you shouldn’t have a problem even if you plan to drive it every day.
Though not the most powerful, the Roadster offers great drivability
Performance – The AMG GT is offered in multiple states of tune, depending on the model but the Roadster sold in India uses the base engine with the least output among the growing GT line-up. However, it has seen an increase of 13 HP and 30 Nm from the original GT which wasn’t launched in India (we got the more powerful GT S). The 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 sits closer to the cabin with its front-mid engine layout and produces 476 HP and 630 Nm and although the numbers look humble, the fact that the peak torque comes in at a low 1700 RPM and stays there till 5000 RPM gives the GT great drivability.
The motor is not only extremely smooth but also very refined
Turn on active exhausts and this V8 motor will pop, crackle and make all kinds of sounds to wake up your neighbourhood
Turbo lag is well contained, the motor is very refined and smooth but gets vocal in the mid-range and screams to its near 7000 RPM redline. 0-100 km/hr takes 4 seconds and the top speed is 302 km/hr (1 km/hr slower than the coupe). The engine has a lot of character, it sounds raw and unfiltered and with the touch of a button, you can turn on the active exhausts which pop, crackle and burp on lift-off and downshifts, pure aural symphony.
7-speed tranny is comically quick and also comes with paddle shifters
The 7-speed AMG Speedshift gearbox (sits right below the rear axle) is a dual-clutch unit, it’s super fast with shifts, making it pointless to do manual shifts using the steering-mounted paddles. The gearing has been altered on the Roadster with a higher first gear and low top gear and final drive. The car gets the regular drive modes seen on all other Mercedes cars which are Individual, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ that alter the engine, gearbox, steering and suspension. I said the modes are the same as other Mercedes cars, not other AMGs because shockingly there is no Race mode, nor is there Race Start (a.k.a. launch control in Mercedes speak), these are optional though. Fuel economy is around 4 km/l while the 75-litre tank ensures a decent range.
Ride quality is harsh but still better and much more usable than the GT R
Driving Dynamics – The AMG GT is relatively usable with slighter better ground clearance than the GT R but it doesn’t get AMG Ride Control adaptive suspensive system as standard, so lifting the nose isn’t a possibility but that’s not where the low ground clearance issue comes into picture, instead it’s somewhere near the rear where it scrubs on big speed-breakers. The ride is much more bearable than the GT R but still almost unbearable with the stiffness and constant moving around on bad roads, this car still needs a race track to be best enjoyed.
The Roadster has superb high speed stability & a feedback-rich steering
The fabric roof doesn’t affect any of its dynamics making the Roadster as enjoyable and tossable as the Coupes
The handling is fab though (47:53 weight distribution) with the steering offering great response, body roll being well contained with loads of grip from the staggered tyre set-up, however, the rear wheels almost always scramble for traction (there are 3 ESP modes – on, off and Sport) due to this being a rear-wheel-drive (no rear-wheel steering on this GT model though which is offered on the GT R). High-speed stability is excellent too, in spite of the soft top and the car hasn’t lost any of its poise even with the roof down.
Optional carbon-ceramic brakes offer stupendous braking power
The chassis of the AMG GT is made of aluminium for weight reduction but the car does weigh 40 kgs more than the AMG GT R due to the roof mechanism and increased structural rigidity. When you put the roof down, you can hear a lot of course but even with the roof up, you can hear a lot but not from the roof but from down below, the suspension and tyres aren’t the quietest. Carbon-ceramic discs on our test car ensured excellent stopping power and are 40% lighter than conventional discs but are optional.
Great TCS & multiple airbags ensure safety while you are having fun
Safety and After Sales Service – The AMG-GT Roadster gets multiple airbags and a host of electronic aid to keep you safe. We found the traction control particularly reassuring. The build quality is top class and the high-speed stability is utterly brilliant. Naturally, you get rollover protection and seat belt pre-tensioners to keep you absolutely in place in case you topple. Being an over-engineered vehicle, expect the service costs to be high. Mercedes-AMG has a good reach of dealership and service network.
The AMG GT Roadster is a fun, practical and attractive looking supercar
Verdict – The Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster is one of those cars that you want the moment you drive it. It’s got all the attributes of an accomplished supercar. It’s fast, looks like a million bucks and has beautifully calibrated dynamics. The open-top experience is a thrill and just the icing on the cake one wants from an entertaining supercar. Mercedes-AMG has also done an impressive job of making the car as usable as possible with a comfortable cabin and plenty of feel-good equipment. At Rs. 2.59 crores (on-road, Mumbai), the AMG-GT Roadster is about Rs. 6 lakhs cheaper than the R version but comes across as a pricey proposition. But for the drama it exudes, we think it deserves every penny.
The boot is pretty compact and comes with a small opening
What’s Cool
* Gorgeous looks and road presence
* Feature-loaded and sporty interior
* Refined and great sounding V8 motor
* Excellent driving dynamics and brakes
* Convertible form factor offers great thrill
What’s Not So Cool
* Headroom could be a problem for tall passengers
* Interior feels a bit dated
* Low ground clearance could be an issue
* NVH levels should have been better
Alternatives: – Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet, Jaguar F-Type Convertible
A look at the Twin-Turbo V8 motor powering this beast
Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster Specifications
* Engine: 3982cc, V8, Twin-Turbo, DOHC, Petrol
* Power: 476 HP @ 6000 RPM
* Torque: 630 Nm @ 1700 RPM
* Top Speed: 302 km/hrkm/
* 0-100 km/hr: 4.0-seconds
* Transmission: 7-Speed AT
* Fuel Consumption: 3-5 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Tyre Size: 255/35/19 (Front), 295/30/19 (Rear)
* Suspension: Independent Suspension (Front), Coil Spring (Rear)
* Brakes: Carbon Ceramic Discs (Front & Rear)
* Safety: 4 Airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP, Traction Control
Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 4544 mm X 1939 mm X 1259 mm
* Wheelbase: 2630 mm
* Turning Radius: 5.75-metres
* Boot Space: 165-litres
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 75-litres
* Kerb Weight: 1670 kgs
The wind in the hair feel & attention you get in a convertible is unmatched
Further Reading –
Mercedes-AMG GT R Review
Mercedes AMG GT-S Review
Testers’ Note:
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