Words by Abhishek Wairagade
The new Mercedes-AMG GT R made its world premiere at the Goodwood festival of Speed. It is the sportiest model Mercedes-Benz and AMG has ever worked on, as per the AMG CEO, Tobias Moers.
Specifically built as a track car, the AMG GT R can do the 0-100kmph sprint in 3.6 seconds (claimed) and max out at 318kmph. The special shade of the car, named ‘AMG Green Hell Magno’ is an ode to the Nurburgring, which is popularly known as ‘Green Hell’ owing to the dangerous layout and corners around the track. The AMG GT and AMG GT S have a mid-engine and transmission in transaxle configuration on the rear axle making for a beneficial rear-biased weight distribution of 47.3 to 52.7. This adds to the new suspension on the AMG GT R with active rear-wheel steering and uniball joints, making it an even better handling car. Naturally, the ride has become stiffer because of the track specific nature of the car. Overall the new AMG GT R is 15 kilograms lighter than the AMG GT S, despite incorporating far more technical features such as the large rear aerofoil, the rear-wheel steering, the active aerodynamics, and the body and chassis reinforcements.
The engine is an AMG 4.0-litre twin-turbo unit with an output of 576bhp, 73bhp more than the previous top-of-the-range engine in the GT S. The peak torque of 700Nm is available between 1900 and 5500 rpm. It is mated to a revised seven speed DCT, with ratios more suited to a race track. The specially developed titanium exhaust system not only delivers a proper race car audio track, it also saves 6kg of weight compared to the AMG GT.
The cosmetic changes not only make the GT R look distinct, but also add to the aerodynamic ability of the super car. The low-slung front section and the forwards-inclined radiator grille gives it a distinctive ‘shark nose’ look. At the same time, it helps lower the vehicle’s back-pressure point, enhancing the flow of cooling air and the car’s aerodynamic performance. The GT R gets exclusive 10-spoke wheels as well. It is even more sensitive to steering inputs thanks to standard-fit active rear-wheel steering, which is being used for the first time on a Mercedes-AMG model.
“With the new AMG GT R, we have reached the next level of driving performance. This road-going sports car with motor-racing genes and innovative technical solutions offers an ultimate driving experience that allows people to feel our motorsport origins in every fibre. It combines the driving dynamics of our AMG GT3 racing car with the everyday practicality of the AMG GT. Those with petrol in their veins will be thrilled by the radical longitudinal and lateral acceleration, the precise turn-in, and the sensational grip. We have modified all performance-relevant components and linked them together intelligently for maximum driving dynamics,” says Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes‑AMG GmbH.
The technology laden AMG GT R will go on sale on 21 November 2016, and the market launch in Europe begins in March 2017.