Mercedes-AMG GT range updated with new looks and technology – limited-edition GT R Pro model added

For this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, Mercedes-AMG has updated its entire GT range, which includes the addition of a new, limited-edition GT R Pro model. The new range-topper draws upon the company’s experience from the AMG GT3 and AMG GT4, with improvements made to the car’s suspension, lightweight construction, aerodynamics and looks.

The GT R Pro, like the normal GT R, comes with adjustable coilover suspension as standard, allowing owners to adjust the spring preload length, as well as the compression and rebound of the dampers for a particular track. Thankfully, you won’t need to bring a comprehensive toolkit along as adjustments are made via a click system with an integral adjustment dial on the damper.

For further tinkering, both axles get an adjustable torsion bar, with the one at the front being made of carbon-fibre, while the rear unit is a hollow steel tube design. Other changes include Uniball spherical bearings for both the upper and lower wishbones of the rear axle, a retuning of the dynamic engine and transmission mounts, plus a carbon-fibre shear panel in the underbody to stiffen the rear-end structure further.

In markets outside the United States, Canada and China, the GT R Pro gets a Track Package by default, which includes a bolted steel roll cage, four-point safety harnesses and a fire extinguisher. Cars that don’t come with the Track Package will be fitted with matte carbon-fibre trim elements and a boot brace instead.

On a related note, a ceramic high-performance compound braking system with black painted brake callipers and clear-coated carbon fibre AMG bucket seats are for everyone else except for those in the above-mentioned countries – they get normal AMG Performance seats.

For more motorsport-inspired cues, the Carbon Package comes as standard and you can opt for racing stripes on the body. Elsewhere, there are AMG Performance five-double-spoke forged alloy wheels finished exclusively in titanium grey with a high-sheen finish for the rim flange, and the there’s a chequered flag around the ‘R’ badging for good measure.

Look closely and you’ll spot the aerodynamic changes from the regular GT R like the two carbon-fibre flics on either side of the front bumper. The front lip is held in place by small metal braces, while the new louvres in the front wings more effectively vent the wheel arches to reduce front-axle lift. This is further improved with the aero elements on the wheel arches. As for the rear, the the aerofoil gains gurney for more downforce, and now sits on milled aluminium brackets.

These changes work, as the GT R Pro is quicker around the Nürburgring than the GT R, setting a time of 7 minutes 4.632 seconds with AMG brand ambassador and AMG GT3 racing driver Maro Engel at the wheel.

With the GT R Pro out of the way, let’s look at the less extreme GT models that have been given a refresh. Most of the changes, as you’ll soon realise, are derived from the GT’s four-door sibling, the affectionately-named GT 4-Door Coupe that debuted in Geneva earlier this year.

On the exterior, the LED headlamps have been restyled to feature a new light guides and a three-chamber reflector system. Meanwhile, the LED taillights have been lightly enhanced to appear even deeper set thanks to the clusters’ dark background.

The rear ends of the GT, GT S and GT C also gain a new black diffuser insert, and there’s new tailpipe setups as well. In the case of the regular GT, there are two round twin tailpipe covers, but the GT C cars have trapezoidal-shaped twin outlets instead. The GT R retains its distinctive arrangement with a centrally positioned exhaust that is accompanied by two smaller ones on the diffuser.

More minor changes involve the GT and GT S, which gain a new black grained sill cover on the bottom section, along with new light Y-spoke alloy wheel in soft black with a finely polished surface. Available as an option (also for the GT C) are 10-double-spoked forged wheels in titanium grey with finely polished surfaces, or in soft black with finely polished rim flange.

Moving inside, you’ll find the the 12.3-inch instrument cluster from the GT 4-Door Coupe, and a new 10.25-inch centre infotainment display from the latest C-Class. For better interface with the new screens, there’s a new AMG performance steering wheel from the updated C 63 with Touch Control – upholstery (black nappa leather/Dinamica microfibre) depends on the chosen model.

Track enthusiasts will enjoy the new AMG Track Pace data logger that is standard for the COMAND Online infotainment system in all GT models. With it, more than 80 vehicle-specific sets of data are recorded ten times per second, along with lap and sector times so you can analyse your performance on track.

While the updates are plenty, they don’t affect what’s under the bonnet, with AMG’s handbuilt 4.0 litre V8 biturbo M178 engine continuing to be of service. On GT models, the V8 makes 476 PS and 630 Nm of torque, while the GT S and GT C cars make do with 522 PS/670 Nm and 557 PS/680 Nm, respectively. As for the GT R and GT R Pro, both share the same output of 585 PS and 700 Nm. The AMG Speedshift DCT seven-speed transaxle dual-clutch transmission is retained.

The GT’s AMG Dynamic Select programmes are the same as before – Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, Race and Individual – but with the addition of something called AMG Dynamics. The company says the system better manages the ESP (electronic stability programme) to distribute power and manage steering characteristics depending on one of four modes chosen – Basic, Advanced, Pro and Master (only available for the GT C, GT S and GT R).

2019 Mercedes-AMG GT R Pro

2019 Mercedes-AMG GT R

2019 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster

2019 Mercedes-AMG GT

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Learn more: 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show