Mercedes-AMG extended its sports car portfolio with the new AMG GT S Roadster as an attractive open-air model. With this latest addition the AMG GT family now has a dozen members: four two-door Coupés, three Roadsters, two customer sports racing cars and three four-door Coupés. The basis for the high Driving Performance of the new AMG GT S Roadster is the combination of a lightweight aluminum space frame, a V8 bi-turbo engine, a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, a rear axle locking differential and a sport suspension with aluminum double wishbone axles.
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.
The AMG 4.0-litre V8 bi-turbo in the AMG GT S Roadster delivers an output of 384 kW (522 hp) and maximum torque of 670 Nm. This is available over a wide engine speed range from 1900 to 5000 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 100 km/h is absolved in 3.8 seconds. The dynamic power delivery continues right up to the top speed of 308 km/h.
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 bi-turbo engine can be used to optimum effect. The weight distribution is also ideal for optimum driving dynamics at 47 (front) and 53 (rear) percent.
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. 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.
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 sensitive and fast control raises the critical limit of vehicle dynamics to a new level. It not only further improves the traction of the drive wheels, but also increases the critical cornering speed. 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 from rest.
The greatest benefit of the electronic rear-axle limited-slip differential is the even more sensitive and proactive control, which pushes the critical 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.
The AMG high-performance composite brake system is adapted to the enhanced performance of the AMG GT S Roadster. The front axle features composite brake discs measuring 390 x 36 mm with 6-piston fixed calipers, with composite brake discs measuring 360 x 26 mm and single-piston fixed calipers at the rear. The brake calipers are painted in red with “AMG” lettering.
