Mercedes-AMG GT R revealed – 577 hp and 699 Nm

Just revealed at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Mercedes-AMG GT R has been conceived as a leaner, faster incarnation of the AMG GT S. It’s powered by a fettled version of the marque’s 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8, producing 577 hp and 699 Nm of torque for this guise, a significant bump over the GT S’ 503 hp and 650 Nm.

Channeling all that output to the driven wheels at the rear is a seven-speed transaxle dual-clutch transmission, optimised for the application in the GT R. The first gear ratio is a longer one now, while seventh gear is shorter for stronger acceleration at the car’s upper reaches. Further along the driveline, the GT R comes standard with an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential on the rear axle.

Pictured here is the GT R-exclusive “AMG green hell magno” paint, and the first thing most will notice about the face of the car is the AMG Panamericana grille derived from the GT3 race car; slats are now vertical as opposed to the GT and GT S’ horizontal spar grille. Enlarged air intakes feed more air into the uprated engine, and the revised carbon fenders add 1.8 inches to the car’s width.

A more aggressive front splitter reduces lift on the front axle, while the enlarged rear wing adds downforce over the rear, and there’s more aerodynamic trickery beneath the car: the GT R also features a carbon component which lowers by 1.6 inches when the car attains 80 km/h in Race mode.

Mercedes-AMG have managed to attain weight savings of 90 kg compared to the GT S, and when combined with the increased engine outputs, the GT R achieves the 0-96 km/h sprint in 3.5 seconds, 0.2 of a second quicker than the GT S. Part of that weight saving comes from the new exhaust system, which is 5.9 kg lighter than in the GT S, whilst aiming to provide a harder-edged soundtrack.

Increased agility comes courtesy of a new rear-wheel steering system, which improves both response and stability while cornering. At speeds up to 100 km/h, the rear wheels turn in a small angle opposite to the fronts for sharper steering response, whilst above 100 km/h the rear wheels do the same but in the same direction as the front wheels, for better high speed stability.

Speaking of wheels and tyres, the AMG GT R is shod with 19-inch front and 20-inch rear forged wheels, wrapped with 275/35 front and 325/30 rear Michelin Sport Cup 2 tyres. The weight reduction theme carries on throughout the car; an upgraded carbon fibre torque tube shaves off 13.8 kg compared to that on the existing GT, while the optional carbon-ceramic brake kit reduces weight by a further 16.7 kg.

Inside, AMG performance seats are finished in Nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre fabric, and yellow seatbelts are optionally available. Yellow highlights continue, applied to the instrument dials and contrast stitching, while the centre console is finished in piano black lacquer.

At the launch of the AMG GT R, head of Mercedes-AMG Tobias Moers said the plan is to further expand the line-up by adding more models, both road-going and track-only ones. It could include an open-topped variant of the GT, though there hasn’t been clear confirmation from Moers about this.

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