Mercedes-AMG unveils a GT C coupe alongside the facelifted GT and GT S. The fruitful partnership between Mercedes-Benz and AMG started 50 years ago this year, and to celebrate the occasion, they have developed a new model: the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT C coupe, which made its debut at the 2017 Detroit auto show alongside the revised 2018 GT and GT S coupes. The new addition to the AMG GT lineup sits above the base GT and the GT S and just below the wild, winged AMG GT R. Not surprisingly, it mirrors powertrain specs, styling, and equipment levels of the AMG GT C roadster that debuted two months ago at the 2016 L.A. auto show. With 550 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque, its turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 is more powerful than the revised unit in the standard AMG GT (469 horsepower and 465 lb-ft, up by 13 hp and 22 lb-ft from 2016) as well as the AMG GT S (515 horsepower and 494 lb-ft, increases of 12 hp and 15 lb-ft). The mighty AMG GT R remains comfortably at the top of the heap with 577 horsepower and 516 lb-ft.
The GT C also features AMG’s performance exhaust system and dynamic engine mounts, as well as increased front-wheel negative camber. Compared with its lesser brethren, the GT C has wider wheels, and its rear fenders are widened by 2.2 inches. There’s also a “sport” suspension, four-wheel steering, adaptive dampers, and larger front brakes. As with the roadster, the coupe wears staggered-width rubber: 265/35R-19 front and 305/30R-20 in back. An additional, more aggressive Race mode and revised gearing for the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission round out the mechanical highlights for the GT C coupe.
The GT C’s wider body looks even more bad-ass than the standard GT and GT S models, all of which will now sync up with the styling of the roadsters, which debuted the new AMG Panamericana grille.
Mercedes didn’t provide pricing for any of its new or revised GT models, but it did provide performance estimates: The GT, GT S, GT C and GT R models allegedly are able to hit 60 mph in 3.9, 3.7, 3.6, and 3.5 seconds, respectively, with top speeds of 189, 193, 197, and 198 mph (the GT and GT C ragtops lose 1 mph at the top end compared with their coupe counterparts).
The AMG GT C will launch with a special model dubbed Edition 50, in matte Graphite Gray Magno with black chrome trim and wheels. Its interior features black-and-gray leather with quilted upholstery and microsuede wrapping the steering wheel. The Edition 50 will be offered as both a roadster and a coupe in quantities of—yes—50 each.
The GT R will be the first of the revised coupes to arrive, reaching dealerships by late summer, with the GT C and the rest of the model lineup arriving sometime in the fall. Does Mercedes-AMG really need to offer six variants of its GT sports car? Well, does Porsche really need to offer 19 variations of its 911 Carrera? Of course not. But we’re not going to be the ones to tell either of them to stop.
(Source: CarandDriver)
