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The story of the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster unfolds – thanks to a fabric roof – later next year.
THESE are the first pictures of the Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster, a folding-roof version of the ferocious GT Coupe that is set to stun the cashed-up, sun-loving world sometime around next March’s Geneva Auto Salon, or perhaps a month later in New York.
The two-seat R190 Roadster convertible is somewhat reminiscent of the closely related Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster. It trades the sleek three-door fastback silhouette of the C190 Coupe for a more formal notchback design reminiscent of Benz’s line-up from earlier this decade, down to the two-seater configuration and electrically actuated folding fabric roof.
The 2018 model-year Mercedes-AMG GT range is also mooted to undergo a makeover at the same time as the extra bodystyle arrives, comprising of a minor facelift front and rear, updates to the interior, and potential boosts in performance and fuel efficiency.
Whatever transpires, all are expected to be powered by revised versions of Mercedes-AMG’s ballistic M168 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, found in the 350kW/650Nm GT S Coupe, mounted behind the front axle, and driving the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. With the weight of extra bracing adding a bit more ballast to the Roadster, expect the quickest versions to hit the 100km/h mark in around four seconds.
Pricing, of course, is still a secret, but count on the GT Roadster to range from about $250,000 to $350,000 when sales start in Australia from about the middle of 2017. That is a damned-sight less than the $490,000 (plus on-roads) demanded for the R197 SLS Roadster sold here from 2012 to 2014.
Have spy pics of your own? We’d love to see them. Just email them to wheels@bauertrader.com.au
