Skip to main content

Mercedes-AMG’s pair of GT Roadsters are ready for their Paris debut

It was only a matter of time before the Mercedes-AMG GT coupe spawned a convertible variant. Sure enough, Mercedes will debut not one, but two convertible variants at the 2016 Paris Motor Show later this month.

The 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster and GT C Roadster join three versions of the GT coupe, meaning this luxury sports car is now available in no less than five flavors. The Germans just love coming up with new permutations of each model, after all. The GT Roadster will serve as the “base” convertible, while the GT C is a higher-performance model.

Recommended Videos

Like every other AMG GT variant, the two convertibles use a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 that sends its power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. The V8 makes 469 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque in the GT Roadster, and 550 hp and 502 lb-ft in the GT C. Mercedes says the GT Roadster will do 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 188 mph, while the GT C takes just 3.7 seconds, and tops out at 196 mph.

Read more: Mitsubishi GT-PHEV concept to debut in Paris

The GT C isn’t just a more powerful version of the GT Roadster; it actually uses some hardware from the most hardcore AMG GT variant, the GT R coupe. That includes an electronic locking rear differential, AMG Ride Control adaptive suspension, and a rear-wheel steering system. At speeds below 62 mph, it steers the rear wheels in the opposite direction of the fronts to increase agility. At higher speeds, both sets of wheels turn in the same direction for stability.

Styling wise, the AMG GT looks just as good without a roof as it did with one. Both convertible variants get the “Panamericana” grille first seen on the AMG GT3 race car, and the GT C gets wider fender flares. Under the skin, the extra structural bracing was added to account for the loss of the roof, although Mercedes claims weight gain won’t be too significant, thanks to use of lightweight materials. The convertible soft top takes about 11 seconds to open or close, and can accomplish that feat at speeds up to 31 mph, Mercedes says.

The 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster and GT C Roadster debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, which opens at the end of this month. Both will go on sale in the United States by Fall 2017, with pricing to be announced closer to that date. In the meantime, Mercedes will launch the AMG GT R coupe and a new GT coupe base model, flanking the existing GT S coupe in price and performance.

Mercedes-AMG GT C | Launch film
Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Hyundai teases Ioniq 9 electric SUV’s interior ahead of expected launch
hyundai ioniq 9 teaser launch 63892 image1hyundaimotorpresentsfirstlookationiq9embarkingonaneweraofspaciousevdesign

The Ioniq 9, the much anticipated three-row, electric SUV from Hyundai, will be officially unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week.

Selected by Newsweek as one of America’s most anticipated new vehicles of 2025, the Ioniq 9 recently had its name changed from the Ioniq 7, which would have numerically followed the popular Ioniq 6, to signal the SUV as Hyundai’s new flagship EV model.

Read more
Kia EV5: everything we know so far
Kia EV9 front exterior

Kia is expanding its EV lineup in a big way. The company is currently in the middle of rolling out the EV3, which is now available in Europe and is likely to come to the U.S. next year. Not only that, but it's also prepping the EV4, which it will likely announce more widely in 2025. And it's not stopping there either -- the Kia EV5 is a slightly scaled-back version of the much-loved EV9 SUV, and not only is it a vehicle we're excited about, but it's one that has already launched in Australia.

If the EV5 is anything like the EV9 -- only cheaper -- it'll be an instant success. Curious about whether the EV5 could be your next car? Here's everything we know about the EV5.
Design
Despite the lower number, the Kia EV5 is actually larger than the EV6 crossover — but not quite as large as the EV9 SUV. Kia calls it a “compact SUV” that offersa boxy design that’s similar to the EV9, but with only two rows of seats instead of three.

Read more
Trump administration prepares to end Biden’s EV tax incentive, report says
president biden drives 2022 ford f 150 lightning electric pickup truck prototype visits rouge vehicle center

If you’re looking to buy or lease an electric vehicle (EV) and benefit from the Biden administration’s $7,500 tax incentive, you’d better act soon.

The transition team of the incoming Trump administration is already planning to end the credit, according to a report from Reuters citing sources with direct knowledge of the matter.

Read more