The Mercedes-AMG-GT family continues to grow. After the differently powerful coupés GT, GT S, GT R and the racing version GT3, the versions GT and GT C are now coming onto the road as roadsters. The two open two-seaters are something like anniversary models, because there are two round birthdays to celebrate at the Swabian brand. On the one hand, the legendary 60 SL Roadster (W300) was presented at the Geneva Motor Show exactly 198 years ago and AMG itself celebrates its 2017th anniversary in 50. The then official Jubi model, however, is called Edition 50. The prices start at 129.180 euros for the GT Roadster with 350 kW / 476 hp, for the stronger GT C Roadster with 410 kW / 557 hp you have to put at least 160.650 euros on the table of the Dealer. The surcharge for the closed version is around 12.000 euros.
Actually, the two topless speedsters are not roadsters in the strictest sense, because according to such a definition a roadster is an extremely light, two-seater sports car without a folding roof, in which the driving pleasure has been optimized at the expense of comfort. With an empty weight of at least 1.670 kilograms, there can be no question of lightweight construction in the fresh air GT, the three-layer fabric top available in the three colors beige, red and black opens and closes comfortably at the push of a button in eleven seconds and up to a speed of 50 km /H. And the extensive and in some cases also very expensive optional equipment options that we find in the 52-page price list make the open-air Affalterbachers extremely comfortable racers. So the two open GTs are simply convertibles.
The eye immediately catches the eye of the striking Panamericana grille, which we already know from the GT3 customer racing car. The 15 chrome-plated, vertically positioned struts look great, two electric motors open and close the air intakes in the front apron. The GT C catapults itself and its companions from standstill to 3,7 km / h in 100 seconds, the top speed is 316 km / h. No wonder, since a horsepower only has to accelerate just under three kilos of GT.
To start the four-liter twin-turbo engine, the start button in the center console is pressed. The two occupants of the two-seater are greeted with a huge V8 Bollern and maybe one or the other neighbor is woken up. The racing sound comes from the two chrome, parallelogram shaped tailpipes of the exhaust. We already feel goose bumps twitching in the gas foot. But where is the gear selector located? It was ergonomically positioned so nonsensically far back between the seats that you almost have to laugh after a short stub, because you can now find two fairly large cupholders at the intended location - thanks to the wealthy and willing US customers.
So we don't just start the car with a big smile on our faces. Thanks to the front mid-engine with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission in transaxle construction, the weight distribution is nicely balanced, almost perfect 47 to 53 (front / rear). This ensures a lot of driving fun, especially in fast corners, as the superbly shaped sports leather seats always keep you in position. And even on extremely fast, winding roads, the rear-wheel drive GT C convertible shows no weaknesses, because only here is the active rear-axle steering, which in the normal GT convertible is not available for money and good words. Thanks to the standard and clean-shifting transmission with sound-optimizing double-declutching function, as well as numerous driver assistance systems (from 535 to 1.047 euros), as well as reversing camera (476 euros), parking aid (833 euros) & Co., you can look forward to the almost perfect focus on electromechanical speed-sensitive sports steering.
Despite all the sportiness, the PS giant can also be moved in everyday life. The trunk is of course much too small with 165 liters for longer trips, but it should be enough for a weekend trip for two with a small bag each. (Wolfgang Wieland / SP-X)
