The 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT C coupe is the latest high-powered product from the German companies.
The luxury market, like the entire car business in the U.S. and China, is moving towards versatile utility vehicles, and the Mercedes-AMG line plans to stick with its emphasis on sporty performance as it celebrates its 50th anniversary celebration during 2017.
Mercedes-Benz’s performance brand is extending the AMG GT family with the new Mercedes-AMG GT C Coupe, which will join AMG GT S on the stage for the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The AMG GT C Coupe is positioned squarely between the AMG GT S and AMG GT R, will initially be available exclusively as a special “Edition 50” model. In addition, the Mercedes-AMG GT and AMG GT S are being visually and technically upgraded with more power.
“We are kicking off our anniversary year with the exclusive ‘Edition 50’ model of the new AMG GT C Coupe. We are also taking this opportunity to refine the AMG GT and AMG GT S, both visually and technically,” according to Tobias Moers, chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
“With the AMG GT C Coupe, we are now expanding our portfolio of sports cars to six models plus the AMG GT3 customer sport racing car. In fewer than three years, the second vehicle to be developed by us entirely in-house has grown into a family, offering a highly dynamic driving experience in a variety of forms.”
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Like the Roadster unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, the new AMG GT C Coupe impresses with further-enhanced driving dynamics courtesy of numerous technical highlights from the Mercedes-AMG GT R.
Mercedes-AMG is restructuring the range of output/torque variants of the 4.0-liter V8 bi-turbo engine, hence the AMG GT entry-level model now puts out 469 horsepower or 13 more horsepower than the previous In addition, with 465 lb-ft, the basic version of the eight-cylinder machine now delivers an extra 22 lb-ft of peak torque.
Similarly, the output from the GT S grows by 12 hp to 515 hp, with the peak torque climbing to 494 lb-ft, a 15 lb-ft increase.
The next level is marked by the GT C variants of the Coupe and Roadster with 550 hp and 502 lb-ft peak torque. The pinnacle of the AMG GT lineup is the AMG GT R, which boasts 577 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.
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The AMG GT family are now identifiable by the distinctive AMG Panamericana grille. Underlining its motorsport heritage, the grille features 15 chrome-plated vertical bars which echo the look of the latest Mercedes-AMG GT3 customer sport racing car.
The new front bumper emphasizes the car’s width, making it visually sit lower to the road. The large outer air inlets guarantee the supply of cooling air to the engine.
Vertical louvers in the bottom of the front bumper also can be opened and closed by an electric motor in around one second to guarantee the required amount of cooling. Constantly achieving the ideal position calls for highly intelligent and fast control.
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The AMG sport suspension, too, confirms the motor racing heritage of the AMG GT family. Wishbones, steering knuckles and hub carriers on the front and rear axles are made entirely from forged aluminum to reduce unsprung mass.