The facelifted Mercedes-AMG GT has made its local debut, with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) introducing the refreshed two-door sportscar earlier today at the Sepang International Circuit. Two variants will go on sale in the country, the AMG GT C and the AMG GT R, which is the car you see here.
Both models were introduced last year when the entire two-door C190 GT family was updated. The refresh is subtle, containing only minimal revisions to the exterior and the introduction of new kit to the interior. Let’s start with the exterior.
The design of the LED high performance headlight is new, the unit now featuring a new three-chamber reflector system as well as a tri-functional, arched light guide, which integrates the workings of daytime running light, navigation light and turn signals in one assembly.
The rear LED lights have also been restyled, now appearing even deeper set and with a darker background for the clusters. Unlike the GT C, the GT R retains its tail end design unchanged, so there’s no revision to the centrally-positioned exhaust or layout of the diffuser, with its extra tail pipes located on the left and right of the unit.
The GT R sits on 19-inch front and 20-inch rear AMG Performance five twin-spoke forged wheels, and the equipment specification for the local variant includes an AMG exterior carbon-fibre package II, AMG ceramic composite braking system (with yellow calipers) and an AMG Performance exhaust system.
Inside, you’ll find AMG bucket seats upholstered in Nappa leather/Dinamica microfibre, AMG matte carbon trim and yellow seat belts, among other things. Also to be found, a Burmester surround sound system and a COMAND Online infotainment system with Apple CarPlay support.
As is the case with the entire two-door GT range, the GT R now comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as seen on the GT 4-Door coupe. The new screen design presents the driver with a choice of three AMG-specific display styles (Classic, Sporty or Supersport), with Supersport offering additional AMG-specific information in its presentation.
Also making its way on is a new 10.25-inch centre infotainment display as well as coloured TFT touch units for the function buttons on the centre console, and there’s a new steering wheel as well – the AMG performance wheel from the GT 4-Door (and C 63) is now standard fit across the GT range, with finishing differentiating the unit. In the case of the GT R, the rim is clad entirely in Dinamica microfibre.
The update also introduces an AMG Track Pace data logger – which is a standard element of COMAND Online – on all models in the GT range. The function, which records a multitude of vehicle-specific sets of data at a rate of 10 times per second, along with lap and sector times, will present the driver with a detailed record of their performance on track.
As is the case with the GT C, the GT R’s engine and transmission has been left untouched, and so the M178 AMG 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 continues on with 577 hp (585 PS) at 6,250 rpm and 700 Nm from 2,100 to 5,500 rpm. Working with an AMG Speedshift DCT seven-speed transaxle dual-clutch transmission, the performance is identical to the pre-facelift, with a 0-100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds and a 318 km/h top speed.
The car’s AMG Dynamic Select programmes continues to offer a choice of six drive modes (Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, Race and Individual), but a new AMG Dynamics programme has been added. This better manages the ESP (electronic stability programme) to distribute power and as well as steering characteristics, and offers four different performance modes (Basic, Advanced, Pro and Master).
In terms of safety and driver-assistance kit, the item list includes Active Brake Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Parktronic parking assist and front/reverse cameras.
The Malaysian-spec GT R comes with extra package that is standard on the GT R Pro, and this is an AMG Track Package. It adds on a roll-over protection system, a four-point safety harness for the driver and a two kg fire extinguisher. Items in the roll-over protection system include a main roll bar, a brace for mounting the harnesses, two rear braces as well as a diagonal X-brace in the rear end.
The Mercedes-AMG GT R is priced at RM1,712,888, on-the-road without insurance, which is identical to that of the pre-facelift when that was introduced in November 2017.
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