New AMG GT S Roadster Sates All Your Open-air Needs
The ‘drop-top-only’ member of the AMG GT family will be available to purchase in the U.S. later in 2018.
Mercedes-AMG is extending its sports car portfolio with an attractive open-air model: the 2019 AMG GT S Roadster. With this latest addition, the AMG GT family now has a dozen members: four two-door Coupes, three Roadsters, two customer sports racing cars and three four-door Coupes. The basis for the high driving performance of the new AMG GT S Roadster is the combination of a lightweight aluminum space frame, a Handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine, a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, a rear axle locking differential and a sport suspension with aluminum double wishbone axles.
“With the AMG GT S Roadster, our AMG GT family has gained another exceptionally sporty member that combines high driving dynamics with an emotional open-air experience,” says Tobias Moers, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. “The new model represents the perfect alternative for the performance-oriented AMG GT Roadster customer.”
Compared to the AMG GT Roadster, the AMG GT S Roadster is rendered even more dynamic by numerous modifications to the engine, suspension, brakes, design and interior. This positions it between the AMG GT Roadster and the even more powerful AMG GT C Roadster, now providing a choice of three open- top two-seaters.
Top Speed: 190 mph
The handcrafted AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo in the AMG GT S Roadster delivers an output of 515 hp and maximum torque of 494 lb-ft. This is available over a wide engine speed range from 1,900 to 5,000 rpm. The eight-cylinder power unit delivers muscular performance in all engine speed ranges, combined with high efficiency for low fuel consumption and emission levels. A sprint from standstill to 60 mph is absolved in an estimated 3.7 seconds and the dynamic power delivery continues right up to the top speed of 192 mph.
The two turbochargers of the V8 are not positioned on the outside of the cylinder banks, but inside the cylinder “V.” Advantages: a compact engine design, spontaneous response of the turbochargers and low exhaust emissions thanks to optimal airflow to the near-engine catalysts. The dry sump lubrication also ensures the oil supply even with high lateral forces and allows the engine to be installed lower, thus moving the center of gravity closer to the road and forming the basis for high lateral acceleration.
Power transfer is based on the combination of a front mid-engine and the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7G sport transmission in a transaxle arrangement, combined with a torsionally rigid torque tube. Thanks to the wide gear ratio spread, the decidedly high torque of the V8 biturbo engine can be used to optimum effect. The weight distribution is also ideal for optimum driving dynamics at 47 percent (front) and 53 (rear) percent.
Standard Adaptive, Adjustable Damping
The AMG GT S Roadster is equipped with the AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with adaptive damping adjustment as standard. This fully automatic, electronically controlled system adjusts the damping at each wheel to the current requirements. This improves driving safety and ride comfort. The damping is adjusted individually for each wheel, and depends on the driving style, the road surface and the selected suspension setting. The ideal operating point can be selected at all times on the basis of extensive information relating to acceleration or vehicle speed, for example.
Using a switch in the center console or by selecting the drive mode, the driver is able to choose between the different damping characteristic maps “Comfort,” “Sport” and “Sport+,” and can thereby individually influence the driving experience.
From Comfortable to Very Sporty
The driver is able to set the AMG GT S Roadster to his/her individual requirements using the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT controller. Five drive modes, “C” (Comfort), “S” (Sport), “S+” (Sport Plus), “RACE” and the individually programmable setup “I” (Individual) are available. These allow a broad range of driving experiences – from comfortable to very sporty.
In all modes, key parameters such as the response of the engine and transmission, the accelerator characteristics, AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension, the steering, the three-stage ESP and the position of the AMG Performance exhaust flaps are modified.
By pressing the separate “M” button in the center console, the driver can activate the manual transmission mode in any drive mode to change gear using the steering-wheel shift paddles. The suspension set-ups can also be selected specifically as needed.
Standard Electronically-controlled Rear Differential
As standard, the AMG GT S Roadster is equipped with an electronically controlled locking differential at the rear axle, which is integrated into the compact transmission housing. Its precision and fast control raises the limit of vehicle dynamics to a new level. It not only further improves the traction of the drive wheels, but also increases the cornering speed capability. The result is that the driver is able to accelerate out of corners earlier and with more power thanks to the improved traction. The vehicle remains more stable when braking from high speed, while the limited-slip differential also improves traction.
The greatest benefit of the electronic rear-axle limited-slip differential is the even more precision and proactive control, which pushes the performance threshold higher, making it even easier to drive at the vehicle’s limits. To deliver optimum cooling, the housing of the limited-slip differential has additional cooling fins.