The Mercedes-AMG GT R lent star power to the three-pointed star’s booth at the 2017 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). Unlike every other car present, the AMG brand’s performance flagship was cordoned off, which is why we don’t have shots of the GT R’s cabin here.
Unveiled in mid 2016, the GT R (lacking the dash of the original GT-R by Nissan) is the king of the Mercedes-AMG GT range. Never before has Mercedes-AMG packed so much motorsport technology into a production vehicle than into GT R, the company claims.
The 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 from the GT S puts out 585 hp (+75 hp) and 700 Nm between 1,900 and 5,500 rpm. Paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, it does 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 318 km/h.
The GT R’s suspension is for the track. Wishbones, knuckles and hub carriers are all made from forged aluminium to reduce unsprung mass. The high camber and toe-in stability results in high cornering speeds and also provides the driver with optimum feel when cornering at the extreme limits. The rear axle is fitted with a thicker tubular anti-roll bar that’s hollow in design.
The new AMG coil-over suspension allows drivers to select their personal set-up and infinitely adjust the spring pre-load manually. The coil-overs are combined with the AMG Ride Control continuously variable adaptive damping system. The car rides on forged wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, 275/35 R19 at the front and 325/30 R20 at the rear.
Active rear-wheel steering makes its debut in an AMG car here, providing a combination of agility and stability – handling characteristics that are usually conflicting. The three-stage ESP includes “ESP Sport Handling Mode” and “ESP Off”.
The exhaust system, which uses titanium for the rear silencer and thin-walled stainless steel for the front section, is six kg lighter than the stock system. It features two infinitely variable exhaust flaps, so there are various sounds on offer – a low-frequency V8 sound in Comfort and Sport, and a “far more emotive” sound in Sport Plus and Race modes.
This showcar isn’t in the model’s signature “AMG green hell magno” hue, but you can tell it’s a GT R from the distinctive Panamericana grille with vertical fins, just like on the Mercedes-AMG GT3 race car. Wider front and rear wings allow for increased track width, a front fascia with active elements, the large rear aerofoil and the double diffuser rear end. The latter integrates one large central tailpipe and two smaller tips on the sides.
GALLERY: Mercedes-AMG GT R official images
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NISMO/Nissan has to respond with a completely revamped GT-R. There’s nothing wrong with Merc AMG using the GT R name. But in some ways, it could confuse people with the GT-R ethos and steal the limelight from Nissan in recent years. What’s worse , GT racing world nowadays outlawed 4WD system that shaped the GT-R’s history. Time for a totally new GT-R. But before anything can happen, NISMO has to face the Le Cost Killer first..
If Ford can sue & win for F150 name, im sure Nissan can do something about this…
Copyright infringement, no?
Shud call it Green Teutonic Roadster
Apple Green for a Merc AMG GTR? Seriously? A sports car for Greenpeace?
What’s wrong with using the name “GTR”? Seems like you guys forgot the famous Mercedes CLK GTR launched back in 1997. So I don’t see any infringement in using the AMG GTR branding.