Mercedes-AMG GT

Mercedes-AMG GT
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler AG
Production	2014–present
Model years	2015–present
Assembly	Sindelfingen, Germany
Designer	Robert Lesnik, Gabriel Nemeth, Huey Lee, Mark Fetherston (exterior)[1] Jan Kaul (interior)[2]
Body and chassis
Class	Grand tourer/Sports car (S)
Body style	2-door fastback coupé 2-door roadster
Layout	FMR layout
Related	Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé
Powertrain
Engine	4.0 L M178 (Mercedes-AMG) twin-turbo V8 petrol
Transmission	7-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT dual-clutch
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,630 mm (103.5 in)[3]
Length	4,546 mm (179.0 in)[3]
Width	1,939 mm (76.3 in) (GT, GT S) 2,007 mm (79.0 in) (GT C, GT R)[3]
Height	1,288 mm (50.7 in)[3]
Kerb weight	1,615–1,645 kg (3,560–3,627 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

The Mercedes-AMG GT (C190 / R190) is a two-door, two-seater sports car produced in coupé and roadster form by Mercedes-AMG. The car was introduced on 9 September 2014 (2014-09-09) and was officially unveiled to the public in October 2014 at the Paris Motor Show.^[4] After the SLS AMG, it is the second sports car developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG. Lewis Hamilton assisted with the development. The Mercedes-AMG GT went on sale in two variants (GT and GT S) in March 2015, while a GT3 racing variant of the car was introduced in 2015. A GT4 racing variant, targeted at semi-professional drivers and based on the GT R variant, was introduced in 2017. All variants are assembled at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen, Germany.

History[edit]

Mercedes-AMG GT S

The interior of the Mercedes-AMG GT was previewed on 16 April 2014.^[5] The car made its debut on 9 September 2014 and was officially unveiled to the public in October 2014 at the Paris Motor Show with two performance options: the GT, with 340 kW (462 PS; 456 bhp), and the GT S with 375 kW (510 PS; 503 bhp).^[4] The GT generates 600 N⋅m (443 lb⋅ft) of torque, and the GT S generates 650 N⋅m (479 lb⋅ft) of torque.^[4]

Shortly after its introduction, Mercedes-AMG CEO Tobias Moers promised a Black Series variant of the Mercedes-AMG GT.^[6] The new variant called the AMG GT R had a starting price of US$129,900.^[7]

F1 Safety Car[edit]

Mercedes-AMG GT S Formula 1 safety car

The GT S was the Formula 1 safety car for the 2015 season, having made its debut in that role at the 2015 Australian Grand Prix.^[8][9]

2017 facelift[edit]

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)^[10] and the inclusion of the 'Panamericana' grille from the GT3, GT4 and GT R variants as standard equipment for all variants.^[11]

Features[edit]

The GT's exterior design was kept similar to that of the preceding SLS AMG. It features the wide wheel arches, lower bodywork, and fastback sloping roofline of the SLS AMG, but uses forward-opening doors instead of the iconic gullwing style pioneered by the 300 SL in the 1950s. The large hood and slim windscreen have been retained. The vehicle structure is made up of 93% aluminium, with the front module base made up of magnesium.^{[citation needed]} The exterior lead designer was Mark Fetherston, whose previous works include the W176 A-Class, the CLA-Class, and SLS AMG.^[1] The interior, designed by Jan Kaul, features a large centre console and decorative elements in a leather and carbon polymer design.^[2] The trunk offers room for a medium-sized suitcase.

Specifications[edit]

M178 V8 in a GT. The turbochargers are visible in the centre, beneath a metallic heat shield

The GT uses a front mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, with the engine positioned inside of the vehicle's wheelbase. The spaceframe chassis and body are made out of aluminium alloys, while the boot lid is steel and the bonnet is made of magnesium.^[4] 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 front-mid mounted M178 4-litre twin-turbo 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.^[12] In a road test executed by Car and Driver, the GT S accelerated from 0–60 mph (97 km/h) in 3.0 seconds, completed the quarter mile in 11.2 seconds and reached a top speed of 193 mph (311 km/h).^[13]

Variants[edit]

Mercedes-AMG GT (2015–present)[edit]

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 469 hp (350 kW) and 465 lb⋅ft (630 N⋅m) 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" and "Race Start" mode settings 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" wheels front and rear.

Mercedes-AMG GT S (2015–present)[edit]

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 515 hp (384 kW) and 495 lb⋅ft (671 N⋅m) 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" front, 20" rear).

Mercedes-AMG GT C (2017–present)[edit]

The GT C is a performance orientated variant of the Mercedes-AMG GT. The M178 engine in this variant is tuned to an output of 557 hp (415 kW) and 502 lb⋅ft (681 N⋅m) of torque. While the GT C retains the key mechanical differences the GT S gains over the GT, it also has a wider body (79.0" versus 76.3") 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.^[14][15][11]

Mercedes-AMG GT R (2017–present)[edit]

2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R (USA)

Mercedes-AMG GT R finished in "Green Hell Magno" at Retro Classics on March 22, 2018

The GT R is a high-performance variant of the Mercedes-AMG GT and was revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on 24 June 2016. The M178 engine in this variant is tuned to an output of 585 PS (577 bhp; 430 kW) at 6,250 rpm and 700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft) at 5,500 rpm of torque. The GT R accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.6 seconds and has a claimed top speed of 198 mph (319 km/h).^[16]

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 its lesser siblings), an active underbody fairing, a manually adjustable rear spoiler, 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 / power-folding side mirrors, the auto-dimming interior / exterior mirrors and reverts to the basic light-weight 4-speaker audio system that the GT comes with.

When it was launched, the GT R had several cosmetic changes compared with the standard car, notably the vertical slats in the front grille, a fixed 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 standard car gained several of these cometic 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.^[17]

It completed a lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife track in 7:10.92, in a test conducted by German magazine Sport Auto.^[18]

Mercedes-AMG GT and GT C Roadster (2017–present)[edit]

Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster

The GT and GT C roadsters are the roadster versions of the GT and GT C coupés, and were announced shortly after the GT R variant.^[19] Both variants made their debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The GT and GT C roadsters utilize 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 (31 mph). The GT C roadster, like the GT C coupé, has a limited "Edition 50" model, celebrating AMG's 50 years of existence.^[20][19]

Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé (2018-present)[edit]

A 4-door version of the AMG GT was introduced in 2018.

Motorsport[edit]

In March 2015, Mercedes-AMG presented the AMG GT3, a race version of the GT, at the Geneva Motor Show, which employs the M159 6,208 cc (6.2 L) V8 naturally aspirated engine also used in the SLS AMG GT3. It consists largely of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer to decrease the vehicle's weight to under 1,300 kg (2,866 lb) to comply with FIA regulations for races.^[22] In 2016, AKKA ASP, Black Falcon, HTP Motorsport and Zakspeed compete in the Blancpain Endurance Series. Zakspeed also competes in the ADAC GT Masters. They claimed a 1-2-3-4 and 6 at the 24 Hours Nürburgring.

In the 2016 Super GT GT300 class, the AMG GT3s made their Super GT debut with Goodsmile Racing with Team UKYO, the number 11 GAINER team, LEON Racing, and Rn-sports opting to use the AMG GT3s in favor of the SLS AMG GT3s that they used in the previous season. Two Mercedes customer teams, R'Qs Motor Sports and Arnage Racing, opted to continue using the SLS AMG GT3s. Both of them would switch to AMG GT3s during the 2018 season, switching from SLS AMG GT3 and Ferrari 488 GT3 respectively.

New Zealand born driver Craig Baird gave the new AMG GT3 its first race win anywhere when he took out race 1 of round 2 of the 2016 Australian GT Championship at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on 17 March 2016.^[23] The round was held as a support race to the 2016 Australian Grand Prix.

Riley Technologies will enter two customer AMG GT3s in the 2017 IMSA SportsCar Championship GTD class. One of the teams cars finished 3rd in class and 20th outright at the 2017 24 Hours of Daytona before going on to win the GTD class and finish 16th outright in the 2017 12 Hours of Sebring.

A GT4 version of the Mercedes-AMG GT was presented at the 2017 24 Hours of Spa. This customer racing car is based on the GT R road version and it made its debut in the ROWE 6 Stunden ADAC Ruhr-Pokal-Rennen race, the fifth round of the 2017 VLN season.^[24][25]

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  Mercedes-AMG GT3 at Brands Hatch in 2016

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  HTP Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the Orange Battlefield 1 Livery at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in the Total 24 Hours of Spa

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  Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the Hatsune Miku livery after the 2017 Suzuka Super GT event

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  2017 Riley Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 that races in GT Daytona in the IMSA SportsCar Championship

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  Mercedes-AMG GT4 at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in 2017

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mercedes-AMG C190.

• Official website