2019 AMG GT R Roadster Will Be Limited to 750 Units Worldwide
577 hp, adjustable coilovers, active rear axle steering and aerodynamics, and intelligent lightweight construction. This one’s a winner.
AMG’s latest roadster will be limited to 750 units worldwide: Mercedes-AMG is combining its top model brimming with motorsport technology with the freedom of the open-air driving experience-crowning the portfolio of open-top sports cars. The new AMG GT R Roadster feels equally at home on winding racetracks, prestigious boulevards and beautiful coastal roads. With its powerful drive and expressive design it addresses a new, lifestyle-oriented group which pursues peak experiences.
The 577 hp V8 Biturbo, adjustable coilover suspension with active rear axle steering, active aerodynamics and intelligent lightweight construction form the foundations for highly dynamic handling characteristics. Similar to the other AMG GT roadster models, the GT R Roadster features a triple-layer fabric soft top with a lightweight structure consisting of aluminum, magnesium and steel.
With this latest addition, the AMG GT family is larger and more appealing than ever.
“The new AMG GT R Roadster is far more than the combination of the thrilling vehicle dynamics of the GT R with the special flair of our GT Roadsters,” said Tobias Moers, Chairman of the Management Board of Mercedes-AMG GmbH, in a recent press statement.
“It is the essence of two worlds, blending to deliver our brand pledge, Driving Performance, in a very special way. With our GT R Roadster we have without doubt once again developed a brand-defining sports car. It too embodies Mercedes-AMG in form, function and vehicle dynamics and enriches our GT family with a highly exclusive variant limited to 750 units.”
Leads the Way…Even at a Standstill
The AMG 4.0-liter V8 Biturbo in the AMG GT R Roadster delivers an output of 577 hp and maximum torque of 516 lb-ft. This is available over a wide range from 2,100 to 5,500 rpm. The eight-cylinder power unit delivers muscular performance in all engine speed ranges, combined with high efficiency. A sprint from standstill to 60 mph is reached in 3.5 seconds. The exhilarating power delivery continues right up to the top speed of 197 mph.
The low-slung front section and the AMG-specific radiator grille create a distinctive “shark nose” impression and make the car appear to sit lower on the road. At the same time, this shape lowers the vehicle’s back-pressure point, enhancing the flow of cooling air and the car’s aerodynamic performance.
The standard LED High Performance headlamps strengthen the AMG GT family look with their light signature. A tri-functional, arched light functions as the daytime running light, navigation light and turn signal. The multi-chamber reflector system with three single reflectors each for low beam and high beam not only ensures optimal illumination of the roadway, but also gives the Roadster a sporty, dynamic look, which adds even more optical depth.
The V-shaped arrow-like appearance of the front end also enhances the dynamic look, embodying the look of forward motion even while standing still. The front bumper in jet wing design along with the front splitter emphasize the car’s width. The large outer air inlets in the front bumper guarantee a large supply of cooling air to the engine. For this reason, they sport two aerodynamically shaped horizontal fins in place of meshes and as a result route the airflow to the radiators with minimal loss.
Additional Air Curtains on the outside of the front bumper calm the airflow, improving the cd value of the open-top two-seater. Thanks to their narrow, vertical openings, the Air Curtains also guide the air specifically towards the wheel arches, optimizing the flow properties. To ensure ideal airflow through the wheel arches, the roadster additionally features unique wheel arch liners with special cooling-air slits.
Enhanced Aerodynamics, Precision Handling, Better Grip
An active aerodynamics profile is concealed almost invisibly under the front of the engine. Weighing around four pounds, this light carbon-fiber element is speed-sensitive and automatically extends around 1.6 inches downwards depending on the drive program. This process involves considerable change in the airflow and results in what is known as the Venturi effect, which “sucks” the car onto the road and reduces front-axle lift by around 88 pounds at 155 mph. The aerodynamic profile automatically retracts again depending on the drive program and speed.
The driver can feel the advantages in the steering: the roadster can be steered even more precisely when cornering at high speed and exhibits even better directional stability. Especially during fast cornering and under high lateral acceleration, the vehicle delivers agile response with clear steering feedback, while remaining easily controllable. In addition, the drag coefficient is improved. The downforce on the rear axle remains at an unchanged high level.
When the electrically operated profile is extended, the radiator air outlet opens at the front and precisely guides air flow towards the double rear diffuser, which also benefits from an optimal flow of air. This improves the handling stability of the rear axle while reducing the temperature of the hotspots at the rear. At the same time, these aerodynamic measures ensure optimized stopping power by routing more cold air specifically to the wheel disks.
Active Air Management System
The active air regulation system AIRPANEL is a notable technical highlight. Vertical louvers at the bottom of the front bumper open and close electronically in around one second to ensure the required amount of cooling. Constantly achieving the ideal position calls for highly intelligent and responsive control.
During normal driving with no increased cooling demand, the louvers close for reduced drag and air is directed at the underbody. This improves the aerodynamic efficiency. Only when certain components reach predefined temperatures and the air demand is particularly high the louvers open to allow maximum cooling air flow to the heat exchangers.
Powerful Proportions & Sleek Design
The super-light carbon front fenders add a total 1.8 inches of width to the roadster at the front compared with the AMG GT, and make room for the wider track and large wheel/tire combinations. The powerfully sculpted fenders emphasize the longitudinal dynamics. A further distinguishing feature is the special wing signet featuring a fin and a large air outlet through which waste heat flows from the engine bay. This fin is perforated and incorporates the AMG diamond logo with five slats.
The side view benefits from the standard AMG Performance forged wheels in matte black. The especially lightweight 10-spoke wheel is exclusive to AMG GT R models and its highly elaborate design includes a drop-center rim, a milled groove and two high-sheen rim rings of different width. There are size 10.0 J x 19 ET56 wheels at the front and 12.0 J x 20 ET52 at the rear. The lightweight design of the wheels has three advantages: it reduces overall weight, rotating mass and unsprung mass.
The brake calipers, which are painted yellow, can be seen through the wheels. The side sill panels make the vehicle look even lower on the road, while inserts in high-gloss black set an aggressive tone. The same applies to the high-gloss black caps on the door mirror housings
Special Rear Design, More Cornering Speed
The rear design also features numerous, conspicuous differentiations. The aluminum sidewalls make this roadster 2.2 inches wider at the rear than the AMG GT. This creates room for the larger 20-inch wheels and tires as well as the wider track. These measures enable improved traction while allowing higher cornering speeds.
The wider design of the rear bumper with large outer vent openings and vertical grooves improves the airflow at the rear end, as does the double diffuser. The overall heat dissipation is optimized as the double diffuser exhausts warm air during driving.
A small air outlet is incorporated between the tail lamps for additional dissipation of the heat generated by the rear silencer. A further distinguishing feature of the AMG GT Roadster is the large exhaust tip with centerpiece, centrally positioned in the rear bumper. It is flanked by two more black tail pipes on the left and right of the diffuser.
The large rear wing with an integral third brake lamp is fixed to the trunk lid and increases downforce on the rear axle. The airfoil mounts are painted in vehicle color while the blade is finished in high-gloss black. Depending on the application or racetrack conditions the inclination of the airfoil blade can be precision-adjusted in order to increase downforce on the rear axle.