Mercedes-AMG GT R Headed to India?

This intimidating looking car is the most hardcore road-going Mercedes-AMG sportscar money can buy. The new GT R is not just more powerful than the GT S (which is on sale in India) but also gets more aero trickery, a redesigned rear axle, lightweight components and much more.

Why is it the Monster from Green Hell?

Because it currently holds the record for the quickest lap around the Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit for a front-engined, rear wheel-driven car at 7:10.92. The Nürburgring Nordschleife is known as the Green Hell.

It looks like a racecar!

The Mercedes-AMG GT R sits an inch lower than the GT S, is wider at the rear, features a huge grille with vertical slats from the GT3 racecar, and has a permanent wing at the back. The bumper now gets a larger gaping air dam with larger air intakes, and there are prominent side lips which aid in improved aerodynamics. At the rear, the exhaust now moves to the centre while new diffusers are placed on both sides of it. It does look sportier.

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Inside, the design hasn’t changed much. Most of the bright leather is replaced with dark Alcantara, the seats are now 'Sport' buckets, the seatbelts are coloured yellow (or in any other jarring contrast colour of your choice) and there is a prominent yellow knob just below the centre A/C vents which adjusts the traction control system by up to nine levels!

Is it a track car?

No, though it is more track focussed than the AMG GT S. 

Under the long hood sits the same 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 petrol motor as the GT S. The turbochargers now develop more boost -- 1.35 bar as compared to 1.2 bar earlier -- and can spin up to 1,86,000rpm! The engine has been retuned and some components changed. One of the highlights is the cylinders now get a Nanoslide coating, also used in Mercedes-AMGs Formula 1 cars, for reduced friction and increased performance.

All of these combine to give a maximum power figure of 585PS @ 6250rpm and peak torque of 700Nm @ 1900-5500rpm. The GT S develops 510PS @ 6250rpm and 650Nm @ 1750-4750rpm. Coupled to a reworked 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, the Mercedes-AMG GT R does the 0-100kmph run in 3.6 seconds (0.2 seconds faster than the GT S) and hits a top speed of 318kmph (8kmph faster). The car's Race Start launch control system has been redesigned to allow for launches from higher revs and faster shifts.

Is it all about the power then?

No. The Mercedes-AMG GT R is lighter and stiffer than the GT S. Carbon fibre has been used extensively in the car; the roof, front splitter, side skirts, underbody wing, torque tube, driveshaft are all made of carbon. The exhaust is made of titanium. All of these combine to shave off 15kg from the GT S.

The carbon roof, along with new braces in the engine bay and under the exhaust, makes the GT R's chassis stiffer. This has allowed engineers to tune the suspension more. The forged aluminium double wishbone suspension with adjustable coilover springs and dampers take more abuse than before, which reduces chassis movement and improves both handling and ride comfort.

What's this talk about improved aerodynamics?

The Mercedes-AMG GT R exploits the flow of air around it much better than the GT S, and that is not limited to the large wing at the back. In Race mode, there is a is a carbon fibre panel behind the front splitter that lowers itself by 40mm at speeds above 80kmph. This, along with the design of the underbody, creates a venturi tunnel that sucks the car down to the road. Mercedes claims that this piece of carbon fibre can create 40kg of downforce on the front axle at around 250kmph.

Why does it look fatter from the back?

The rear track has been increased by 57mm. The new rear axle is not just wider but also houses a new rear wheel-steering system. Two electro-mechanical actuators can change the angle of the rear wheels according to the speed for better low-speed turning ability and better high-speed stability. 

Why do you need a nine-way adjustable traction control system?

More power to the (rich) people who buy this car. While the GT S has variable traction control modes, it is limited by the drive mode selected and completely controlled by the system. The 9-way adjustable system allows drivers to minutely adjust the amount of slip from the rear tyres and explore the extent of the car's capabilities more in a given situation.  

When is it coming to India?

Within a month as it has been spotted at customs in the Mumbai airport. It won’t come cheap; The Mercedes-AMG GT S is currently priced at Rs 2.09 crore, ex-showroom - this monster will cost a lot more.

How is it to drive?

We haven't driven it, yet. You can check out our review of the Mercedes-AMG GT S meanwhile.