2017 facelift
The Mercedes-AMG family was given a facelift in 2017, along with the introduction of the GT C roadster variant and the Edition 50 model, which is a limited-edition derivative of the GT C variant. The key improvements made as part of the facelift include increased power output from the M178 engine for the GT and GT S variants (10 kW and 9 kW respectively)[17] and the inclusion of the 'Panamericana' grille from the GT3, GT4 and GT R variants as standard equipment for all variants.[18]
The GT uses a front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, with the engine positioned inside the vehicle's wheelbase (behind the front axis). The spaceframe chassis and body are made out of aluminium alloys, while the trunk lid is made of steel and the hood is made of magnesium.[1] The suspension system is a double wishbone unit at the front and rear, with forged aluminium wishbones and hub carriers.
The car is powered by a 4.0-litre M178 twin-turbocharged V8 engine. The engine is in "hot inside V" configuration—with exhaust manifolds and turbochargers inside the cylinder banks to reduce turbo lag—and uses dry-sump lubrication. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a seven-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT dual-clutch transmission; the GT S variant employs an electronically controlled mechanical limited-slip differential.[19] In a road test executed by Car and Driver, the GT S accelerated from 0–97 km/h in 3.0 seconds, completed the quarter mile in 11.2 seconds and attained a top speed of 193 mph.[20]
Variants
F1 Safety Car
The GT S was the Formula 1 safety car for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons, having made its debut in that role at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix.[21][22] The GT R was used as F1's safety car from 2018 to 2021.[23] Since 2022, the GT R was replaced by the Black Series.[24]
Mercedes-AMG GT (2015–2021)
The GT is the entry level variant of the Mercedes-AMG GT family. The M178 engine in this variant is tuned to an output of 340 kW and 443 lbft of torque, with the key differences between this and its more expensive siblings being a mechanical limited-slip differential, an absorbent glass mat battery, the lack of the "Race Mode" setting in the AMG Dynamic Select adaptive drivetrain system, the lack of the AMG Ride Control adaptive suspensive system, and a passive AMG Sport Exhaust System.
F1 Safety Car
The GT S was the Formula 1 safety car for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons, having made its debut in that role at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix.[21][22] The GT R was used as F1's safety car from 2018 to 2021.[23] Since 2022, the GT R was replaced by the Black Series.[24]
Mercedes-AMG GT (2015–2021)
The GT is the entry level variant of the Mercedes-AMG GT family. The M178 engine in this variant is tuned to an output of 340 kW and 443 lbft of torque, with the key differences between this and its more expensive siblings being a mechanical limited-slip differential, an absorbent glass mat battery, the lack of the "Race Mode" setting in the AMG Dynamic Select adaptive drivetrain system, the lack of the AMG Ride Control adaptive suspensive system, and a passive AMG Sport Exhaust System. Keyless-Go is also an optional feature, as opposed to standard equipment. The GT is equipped with 19-inch wheels at the front and rear.
Mercedes-AMG GT S (2015–2020)
The GT S is a more highly equipped variant of the Mercedes-AMG GT. The M178 engine in this variant is tuned to an output of 375 kW and 480 lbft of torque. The key mechanical differences the GT S gains over the GT include an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, "Race Mode" and "Race Start" mode settings in the AMG Dynamic Select adaptive drivetrain system, AMG Ride Control adaptive suspensive system, an AMG Performance Exhaust System with dynamic flaps, and a lithium-ion battery. Keyless-Go is standard equipment, as is a staggered set of wheels (19-inch at the front, 20-inch at the rear).
As with many other recent Mercedes-AMGs, at the time of introduction a limited production "Edition 1" series was issued of the GT S. 375 examples were sold worldwide, and include a gloss black aerodynamic set including a front splitter, lower wheelwell extensions, a carbon fibre roof, a fixed rear wing, red interior accents and red brake calipers, and various other extras.[25]
Mercedes-AMG GT C (2017–2021)
The GT C is a performance oriented variant of the Mercedes-AMG GT. The M178 engine in this variant is tuned to an output of 410 kW and 502 lbft of torque. While the GT C retains the key mechanical differences the GT S gains over the GT, it also has a wider body (79 in) and active rear steering, which the GT S does not have (even as options). In the United States, the Lane Tracking and AMG Dynamic Plus option packages are standard equipment on the GT C.
A limited-edition model, the Edition 50, was released as part of the debut of the GT C variant at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. The Edition 50 features: a choice of two shades of matte paint known as designo Graphite Grey Magno and designo Cashmere White Magno; black chrome exterior trim, headlight surrounds and forged / cross-spoke wheels; a two-tone silver pearl or black against grey quilted-leather interior which features a micro-suede wrapped steering wheel; and, "Edition 50" and "1 of 500" lettering on the steering wheel bezel and 12 o'clock mark in silver pearl. In the United States, the Edition 50 is limited in production to 50 coupes and 50 roadsters. Globally, the Edition 50 is limited to 500 units, which explains the "1 of 500" on the steering wheel.[26][27][18]
Mercedes-AMG GT R (2017–2021)
The GT R is a high-performance variant of the Mercedes-AMG GT and was introduced at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 24 June 2016. The M178 engine in this variant is tuned to an output of 430 kW at 6,250 rpm and 700 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. The GT R accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and has a claimed top speed of 198 mph.[28]
While the GT R retains the key mechanical differences the GT C gains over the GT S, it also gains manually adjustable coilover springs (in conjunction with the AMG Ride Control suspension of the base models), an active underbody fairing, a manually adjustable rear wing, and a 9-mode AMG Traction Control system. As befitting of a high-performance variant, the GT R loses Keyless-Go, the integrated garage-door opener, the heated and power-folding side mirrors, the auto-dimming interior and exterior mirrors and reverts to the basic light-weight 4-speaker audio system that the GT comes with, but these features can still be added as options.
When it was launched, the GT R had several cosmetic changes compared with the standard car, notably the vertical slats in the front grille, an adjustable rear wing, new front air intakes and new front and rear diffusers. The styling of the GT R is more comparable to that of the AMG GT3 race car. However, the base GT variant gained several of these cosmetic changes as part of a mild facelift in the 2017 model year. The GT R went on sale in November 2016, with deliveries beginning in 2017.[29] For the 2018 Formula One World Championship, the GT R became the official Formula 1 safety car. During the 2020 Tuscan Grand Prix
Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro (2019–2020)
Mercedes-AMG introduced the GT R Pro at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. The GT R Pro is a more track focused variant of the AMG GT line up and based on the GT R. This variant would be limited for 750 units worldwide with a starting price tag of USD $200,645. The GT R Pro retains all key mechanical differences of the GT R gains over the GT C with other minor upgrades, the GT R Pro uses the same engine and power output of the GT R, which is rated at 430 kW at 6,250 rpm and 700 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. And retains the same 0 to 100 km/h time 3.6 seconds and the top speed of 319 km/h.
New upgrades includes, new manually adjustable coil-over suspension setup, lightweight anti-roll bars, electronically controlled dynamic engine and transmission mounts, GT R's optional carbon-fiber roof and carbon ceramic brakes became standard, new carbon-fibre bucket seats, lightweight forged wheels 19-inch on front and 20-inch on rear which were exclusive for the GT R Pro, same Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 semi-slick tires which were also used in the GT R, new carbon-fibre braced active aerodynamic front splitter and canards, new front fenders with GT3 inspired vents, new rear diffuser with canards, new side skirts, updated rear wing with a small gurney for increase downforce while reducing weight.
Interior upgrades includes, a 10.25-inch digital instrument binnacle and infotainment system, a Burmester surround sound system,
Mercedes-AMG GT and GT C Roadster (2017–2021)
The GT and GT C roadsters are the roadster versions of the GT and GT C coupés, and were announced shortly after the introduction of the GT R variant.[35] Both variants made their debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The GT and GT C roadsters utilise the active air management system found on the GT R variant to help with cooling and airflow performance. The GT C roadster retains the wider bodywork of the GT C coupé, and the GT roadster has a slightly higher first and lower seventh gear with a longer final drive compared to the GT coupé. The GT and GT C roadsters feature a three-layer fabric roof built around an aluminum, magnesium and steel structure, available in black, red or beige, and which can open and close in 11 seconds up to speeds of 50 km/h. The GT C roadster, like the GT C coupé, has a limited "Edition 50" model, celebrating AMG's 50 years of existence.[36][35]
Mercedes-AMG GT Dark Night Edition (2021)
Mercedes-AMG official announced that its AMG GT Black Series and AMG GT Dark night officially listed special edition models, Mercedes-AMG GT models launched a total of 2, The prices are US$576,612 and $229,594.[37]
Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series (2021–2023)
The GT Black Series is a high-performance variant of the Mercedes-AMG GT and was officially revealed on Mercedes-AMG's YouTube channel on 9 July 2020. The M178 engine in this variant is tuned to an output of 537 kW at 6,700–6,900 rpm and 800 Nm of torque at 2,000–6,000 rpm. Referred to as the M178 LS2, the engine has a slightly higher redline at 7,200 rpm compared to the GT R's 7,000 rpm, and uses a flat-plane crankshaft instead of a cross-plane crankshaft, turning out in different firing order. Additionally, the M178 LS2 uses a smaller compressor wheel, resulting in an increase in boost from the GT R's 19.6 to 24.6 psi. The GT Black Series accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds though it was tested at 3.0 seconds and has a claimed top speed of 202 mph.[38]
The suspension is unique, with a carbon-fibre anti-roll bar with two adjustment settings for the front axle, and an iron anti-roll bar with three adjustment settings for the rear axle. Like previous Black Series vehicles, the camber is manually adjustable for both the front and rear axles. Handling has been improved with carbon-fibre panels at the front and rear, as well as carbon-ceramic brake rotors and Black Series specific brake pads. The wing has an active aero flap, and contributes to a total maximum downforce of more than 882 lb at 155 mph. The Michelin Pilot Cup 2 R tires are specific to the car, and are available in M01A soft and M02 hard compounds.
Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series (2023–present)
In 2022, Mercedes-AMG launched the AMG GT Track Series, a track-only car based on the AMG GT Black Series. The car was created to celebrate the 55th anniversary of AMG, and thus only 55 models will be sold.[41] A single one of these cars raced as an invitational entry at the Red Bull Ring in the 2022 GT2 European Series.[42]
Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 55 (2023–present)
Only 5 units of the Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 55 were sold, each costing €625,000.[43]
Mercedes-AMG GT2 Pro
The Mercedes-AMG GT2 Pro is a non-competitive track day version of the Mercedes-AMG GT2. This car features a 739 bhp engine, more powerful than its racing counterpart.[44]
