DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: AMG GT range grows again

Mercedes-AMG has unveiled a coupe version of its GT C sports car at the Detroit motor show, as well as updating other members of the Porsche 911 fighter’s range.

Included in the updates are the move of the GT family to the Panamericana grille, previewing a look that will eventually stretch into all Mercedes-AMG models.

There are also boosts to power, handling and performance that benefit the GT and GT S models.

The GT C Coupe, which sits alongside the GT C Roadster in the range above the GT S and GT and below the GT R, will be launched as a special ‘Edition 50’ model that celebrates AMG’s 50th anniversary in 2017.

It will be available in two exclusive paint finishes and with black chrome highlights. The interior is finished in black and silver.

The AMG GT C Coupe and Roadster are both expected to arrive in Australia early in the third quarter of 2017, along with the updated AMG GT and GT S Coupe.

The AMG GT Roadster, which was revealed at the Paris last October alongside the GT C drop-top and the AMG GT R Coupe, should turn up around then.

That means all six confirmed road-going GT variants will be sold in Australia, as the GT Coupe went on-sale last month alongside the GT S Coupe.

Pricing is yet to be announced, but appears certain to top out well below $350,000 for the flagship GT R.

The Panamericana grille was debuted in the GT range by the GT3 racing car and this latest version features 15 chrome-plated vertical bars. Also part of the new look are a new front apron and larger air inlets to cool the GT’s twin-turbo V8.

The 4.0-litre hot-vee engine, which drives the rear wheels via a transaxle-mounted seven-speed dual clutch transmission in all GTs, has been given a decent tickle.

The entry-level GT has been boosted from 340kW to 350kW and peak torque from 600Nm to 630Nm. The outputs for the GT S grows nine kilowatts to 384kW and from 650Nm to 670Nm.

But the power hikes bring no change to claimed 0-100km/h acceleration times for the GT and GT S models, which continue to go like this: GT (4.0sec/304km/h), GT Roadster (4.0sec/302km/h) and GT S (3.8sec/310km/h).

The GT C Coupe claims the same 3.7sec 0-100km/h time as the C Roadster, but a 1km/h higher top speed at 317km/h.

Like the GT C Roadster, the coupe gets a 410kW/680Nm version of the engine, while the R lifts that to 430kW/700Nm. The C Coupe weighs in 35kg lighter than the Roadster, but averages the same fuel consumption at a hefty 11.4L/100km.

Beyond the long engine bay, the R has donated its Airpanel active air management system to the other GT variants. This comprises vertical louvres that can be closed for reduced drag and improved aerodynamic efficiency, or opened to maximise cooling air flowing to the heat exchangers.

The oil cooler has moved to the wheel arches to make way for this system, although the main radiator stays up-front.

Like the GT C Roadster, the R’s 57mm wider rear end is donated to the C Coupe, providing claimed improvements in traction, cornering speed and air flow. The C’s rear aerofoil extends or retracts electronically. Tyre sizes are 265/35 R19 and 305/30 R20 for both Cs, fitting between the S and the R.

Like the GT C Roadster, the C Coupe gets the active damping and rear steering from the R and the electronically controlled limited slip diff that starts in the range at S level.

Meanwhile, the S now has rear steer available as part of a Dynamic Plus package. The standard GT gets access to this package without rear steer.

Speaking of options, Benz has also announced a swag of them for the GT and GT S, including an exterior chrome package, the interior night package – standard with the GT R and GT C Edition 50 – a carbon fibre package, nappa leather trim and climate control for the AMG Performance seat.

There are also new combinations of staggered alloy wheels and tyres available, plus a ‘Track Pace’ app that analyses driving style and performance at speed.