Mercedes AMG GT R outshone Gumpert Apollo Speed’s Nurburgring time by six tenths and became the fastest rear-wheel-drive production car in the world
The enthralling AMG GT R set the fastest production car record for a rear-wheel-drive machine at the gruelling Nurburgring with time of 7 minutes 10.92 seconds in December 2016. Driven Sport Auto Magazine’s Christian Gebhardt, the GT R crossed the line six tenths quicker than the previous record holder Gumpert Apollo Speed. Shod on the standard Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, it wore aerodynamic body kits for additional downforce of 155 kg.
Much to the delight of the enthusiasts, it has made its way to India alongside its Roadster cousin today and had already proved its pace around the Buddh International Circuit by setting the fastest ever lap for a production car at 2 min 09.853 seconds. Rivalling Porsche 911 Turbo and the Aston Martin Vantage V12 here, it will now be the range-topper positioned above the GT S costing Rs. 2.23 crore (ex-showroom).
Also Read: Mercedes AMG GTS Launched! Priced At Rs 2.4 Crore
The Mercedes AMG GT R was revealed at the German manufacturer’s base in Brooklands, England in a dramatic fashion. The hardcore, track-obsessed supercar has all the numbers creating shivers in the performance car world’s fierce rivals like Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
The AMG GT R is a ground-hugging circuit spaceship and is the lighter, more powerful and most technically advanced model in the GT lineup. On its global debut, the Nurburgring teaser gave a sneak-peek of what’s coming and you could certainly bet on the fact that nothing was overhyped as soon the technical specifications were unraveled.
The Beast of the Green Hell rose and was a screaming giant painted in Green Hell Magno – homage to the Nürburgring Nordschleife. It has a sleeker body kit and the proportioned long bonnet reminisce the Dodge Viper and AMG GT.
In fact, it is an aggressive version of the AMG GT in all its glory with Mercedes engineers given the freedom to work on it both mechanically and aerodynamic wise. Under the bonnet, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GTR features the same 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol motor found in the stock versions of the GT and GT S.
Also Read: Mercedes AMG GT R Sets Fastest Production Car Lap Record At BIC
The tuned engine now delivers a maximum power output of 585 hp at 6,250 rpm and 700 Nm of peak torque at 1,900-5,500 rpm, up from 503 hp and 650 Nm and 456 hp and 600 Nm in the 2017 AMG GT S and the base AMG GT respectively. The larger sticky tyres alongside wider track will propel the green monster from o to 100 kmph in just 3.6 seconds with presumably more grunt than the other, already loud, GT siblings.
At two tenths of a second faster than the Mercedes-AMG GT S, it boasts a performance package that would set your hair rising. The transmission duties are dealt by a modified seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission and the suspension setup will be finely tuned to eke out the maximum out of every corner with high levels of downforce. The India-spec version has a top speed of 318 kmph.
Also Read: Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster Launched In India At Rs. 2.19 Crore
The most hardcore sportscar every produced by Mercedes Benz is the AMG GT R. It had been predicted to run rings around the best lap times set at the Nurburgring for front-engined RWD cars and has now done so in style. The wider body is accentuated by the centrally placed exhaust system besides a grille inspired from the legendary 300 SL (W194) racecar.
The AMG GT S was used to be Mercedes’ answer to the Porsche 911 but now it has all changed with the outright and brawny AMG GT R. The AMG GT R features standard rear-wheel steering that can adjust the back wheels for better handling while taking corners. The traction control system comes with nine levels of adjustment, adopted from Mercedes’ years of expertise in motorsports.
Other important features as standard are AMG tuned traction control, electronic rear-axle LSD, performance exhaust with titanium elements, Ride Control sports suspension, carbonfibre roof, seven-speed DCT gearbox, exclusive lightweight 10-twin-spoke forged wheels, AMG interior Night package, steering wheel in black DINAMICA microfibre with top-stitching and panamericana grille.
The AMG GT Roadster, on the other hand, gets power from a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 engine with max power output of 476 hp at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 630 Nm at as low as 1,700 rpm. It is claimed to have top speed of 302 kmph and can reach 0-100 kmph in just 4 seconds.
Thanks to the ‘designo’ platform, both of them can be individually customised according to preferences. The compact service package for the new models costs Rs. 92,000 for 3 years or Rs. 1.60 lakh for four years each. With their arrival, the AMG portfolio in India increases to 12 vehicles.
Mercedes AMG GT R India Launch Images
Mercedes AMG GT R Images
