Mercedes-Benz Amg Gt Roadster
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Review of the Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster
The new Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster is an even more exciting car than the coupe variant. It’s got lots of driver appeal, it looks fantastic – and it’s got an incredible open-air experience.
If you live for two things – a monster of an engine and a folding roof – it’s 99.9% certain you’ll love this car.
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If you want to dazzle in a drop top and take it easy on your days off, the Mercedes offers one of the most exhilarating driving experiences there is. And when you want to put your foot down and feel invincible with the wind in your hair, well, you can do that too.
OSV takes a closer look at what it’s all about with our 2018 Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster review.
Overview of the Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster
On the Road
As mentioned, with this car you can either take it easy or you can raise hell. It’s your choice and few cars on this planet are as Jekyll and Hyde as this one.
There are two engines to choose from, with the smallest developing a staggering 469bhp. That might not sound like a recipe for ‘taking it easy’ but it’s all about how you decide to drive the car.
And if you do need more power, there’s also a 549bhp variant of the same engine available.[vc_single_image image=”83403″ img_size=”article-image”]The engine in question is a bellowing V8 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol engine that, if you stick to the 469bhp variant, can get you from a standstill to 62mph in 4.0 seconds flat. This smaller variant will be enough to satisfy most buyers – especially those who do want to take it easy on those lazy Sundays – but enthusiasts will want to take a closer look at the menacing 549bhp variant.
This bigger engine uses an electronic differential to send power to the rear wheels. This ensures that whatever rear wheel has the most grip also has the most power. In turn, this prevents the rear tyres from spinning. If you don’t like the sound of all that, you can turn the electronic aids off, although Mercedes have put a lot of effort into ensuring these aids improve the way the car drives.
The bigger engine also comes with an electronic four-wheel steer system that has a Race mode. Once the car is in Race mode, it’s basically a racing car.
Adaptive suspension is also standard, although powerful ceramic brakes are only available as optional extras.
And for when you do want to take it easy, you can switch to Comfort mode. The car will still be pretty stiff, but there are few other cars on this planet – if any – that can be so involving and thrilling one moment, and so relaxing the next.
Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster Interior, Design and Build
[vc_single_image image=”83404″ img_size=”article-image”]This car has two major selling points: The monstrous V8 engine that we’ve just waxed about is one of them, and the other is its electric folding roof. This roof takes just 11.0 seconds to fold away and can be operated at speeds of 30mph. And when it’s down, a handy wind deflector means that you won’t need to suffer the indignity of wind buffeting at speed.
The cabin comprises just the two seats, and the driver and their passenger are surrounded by top-notch materials. It’s up to you whether you want to go for chrome, silver or carbon fibre finishes. It’s a tough choice – and clearly a hard life – but someone’s gotta do it!The bespoke controls are lovely to look at and feel great, while the sporty seating position is a bonus. The cabin comes with lots of new tech too, such as the brands COMAND online infotainment system and a Burmester stereo.
However, the cabin isn’t totally without its flaws. Some drivers might feel a tad claustrophobic, as opposed to cocooned, while the bespoke controls could have been better positioned.
Still, all in all, this is a fine cabin.
Is the Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster practical? It’s got just the two seats, which is its most glaring limitation. Thick windscreen pillars, meanwhile, restrict visibility and create blind spots.
Storage solutions are few and far between and include a rather small glovebox and some measly door pockets.
Access is easy, though, while the boot is larger than most buyers would have anticipated.
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Equipment and Safety of the Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster
There are two trim levels available – one for each engine – with the most ‘basic’ model coming with 19″ alloys, a wind deflector, heated AMG sports seats, black Nappa leather upholstery, and an AMG sports exhaust.
The GT C model adds bigger 20″ alloys, adaptive suspension, red brake callipers, keyless ignition, a reversing camera and electronically controlled limited slip differential.
In terms of how safe the car is, it hasn’t been crash-tested by Euro NCAP and therefore has no safety rating. However, it comes with a super strong body but the biggest gripe is that you have to pay extra for the safety kit. This includes blind spot monitors, lane departure warning and front distance alert. Autonomous emergency braking is unavailable.
Costs of the Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster
Prices for the new car start out from £113,430 and rise to £141,930. For more information on our leasing deals, you can check out our page here.
In terms of its running costs, the AMG GT Roadster excels. Stick to the entry-level model and you can return an impressive 30.1mpg, which is possible thanks to the modern engine it uses. Emissions are high, however, and are pegged at 219g/km of CO2. Still, that’s a lot lower than a rival Aston Martin Roadster.
The range-topping model returns 25.4mpg at best and emits 259g/km. Both variants have a BiK rating of 27% – the highest there is. Both models also sit in the highest insurance group possible, group 50.
Pros and Cons of the Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster
Pros:
Economical
Returns of over 30mpg? We expect lots of buyers will be all over that.
Open air thrills
This really is one of the best “wind in the hair” experiences money can buy in 2018.
Great Image
As well as the fact that it’s a Mercedes drop top, it otherwise looks as dramatic as they come.
Cons:
Just the two seats
There’s no room for kids and no possibility of a road trip with your pals.
Expensive optional extras
It’s a shame that the carbon ceramic brake system is such a pricey extra.
Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster vs Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet vs Audi R8 Spyder
Let’s see how the car fares against its rivals in the comparison section of our 2018 Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster review.
Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster vs Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet
The Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet is an icon. It offers thrills and spills by the bucket load and handles better than ever.
The fact that it handles better than ever is bad news for the Mercedes, and it’s also bad news for you as it makes your buying decision harder! In the past, this car has been criticised for its underwhelming handling in comparison to the standard model, but this time around Porsche have stiffened things up so that its driving experience is practically peerless.[vc_single_image image=”83401″ img_size=”article-image”]The Turbo model sits at the top of the range, which means it’s both the most powerful and the most expensive 911 drop top on sale. Power comes from an insatiable 3.8-litre petrol engine that develops 533bhp. 0-62 is dispensed in just 3.1 seconds, but the problem is that it’s so fast and so furious that it’s a little difficult to actually have much fun in.
Running costs, meanwhile, aren’t actually as bad as you might have feared. The introduction of turbochargers means that the Turbo model can return as much as 30.4mpg on a good day while emissions are pegged at 215g/km of CO2.
Insurance-wise, the car unsurprisingly sits in group 50 out of 50.
Inside, insulation is good when the roof is up, and refinement is fantastic for such a powerful car. An electronic wind deflector comes as standard, and it does a good job of keeping wind buffeting to a minimum.
All models come with Bluetooth, leather, Sat Nav and a 7″ touchscreen infotainment system as standard, and the quality of the materials used is high.
Is the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet practical? It comes with rear seats that already make it more useful than the Mercedes, while the 145-litre boot is positioned at the front. It’s clearly a small boot and it shrinks by another 20-litres if you specify four-wheel drive. It is deep, however, while the car is fairly easy to park.
Price:
Mercedes – £113,430 – £141,930
Porsche – £135,000
Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster vs Audi R8 Spyder
The Audi R8 Spyder sees Mercedes’ V8 engine and raises it a colossal V10 unit that’s beautifully engineered.
Its 5.2-litre engine is the same one that powers the coupe variant. It develops 532bhp and has a 0-62 time of 3.6 seconds. Like the Mercedes, it’s addictive to drive and to listen to, and it provides all the drama you could ever want from a razor sharp pocket rocket of a convertible.
The new model is a bit lighter than last time, and this means it’s even more agile. It’s more performative too, thanks to the fact that it’s stiffer than its predecessor.[vc_single_image image=”83402″ img_size=”article-image”]A twin clutch automatic transmission is fitted as standard, and it’s smooth and fast. Meanwhile, a dynamic steering system ensures that you can take corners with precision.
A minor drawback is the lack of communication from the steering, but you’ll still have a ball if you drive this car at speed.
Running costs? It’s not a cheap car to run, with its massive V10 engine only able to return 24mpg at best. That’s actually better than last time but you’ll still struggle to return that number on a daily basis.
Emissions, meanwhile, are pegged at 277g/km of CO2.
Inside, the brand’s excellent Virtual Cockpit system is standard, and it comes with a huge 12.3″ TFT display. The design of the cabin is minimal, there are lots of high-quality materials on show, including carbon trim lines and leather, and while there’s nothing dramatic about the interior, it’s still a luxurious and special place to spend your time on the road.
The electric roof takes 20.0 seconds to fold and can be operated at up to 30mph. When it’s raised, insulation is good.
Is the Audi R8 Spyder practical? It’s got just the two seats, while its boot measures a mere 112-litres. So, no, it isn’t the most practical car you’ll ever own.
It should prove to be a safe car, though, but it’s a shame that the powerful brakes are such a pricey optional extra.
Price:
Audi – £121,210 – £149,890
Verdict of our 2018 Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster Review
If drop-tops, V8 engines and super high levels of comfort are your thing, you might just need this car in your life. Perfect for all seasons, it’s a car that can switch from relaxation to fire and fury at the switch of a button. Luxurious, gorgeous and surprisingly affordable to run, the new Mercedes Benz AMG GT Roadster is an insatiable proposition.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