Despite the wretched weather, the Goodwood Festival of Speed is in full swing and has played host to some wonderful cars so far. The new Mercedes-Benz AMG GT R was one of the cars that went on show today and I have to say, it certainly caught my eye.
Forged in the Green Hell
The new AMG GT R has been developed extensively in the 'Green Hell' that is known as the Nurburgring and even bears a colour called 'AMG green hell mango' to highlight this. The car also draws plenty of inspiration from AMG GT3 motor-racing car to make the AMG GT R the most track ready car you can drive on the road. It features a lot of clever kit and lightweight materials to enhance performance.
Wider, more muscular and aerodynamic
AMG has been hard at work to ensure the GT R delivers the best performance and handling possible which Mercedes-Benz described in much length in their press release. In fact there was so much it was a bit hard to know where to start if I'm honest. Let's start with the stance of the car shall we, the AMG GT and AMG GT S aren't exactly short of bulges but the new model looks even more menacing.
The front end features wings made from carbon and make the AMG GT R 46mm wider and the front is also home to the new AMG Panamericana grille which makes its debut on a standard production car. It harks back to the grille featured Mercedes-Benz 300 SL racing car that won the Panamericana road race in 1952, the grille also features on the AMG GT3 racing car.
The AMG GT R features a new active aerodynamics profile which sits in the underbody of the front of the engine. Its made from carbon and as a result only weighs 2kg helping to keep the car lightweight. It lowers by 40mm when the car hits 50mph in RACE mode to change the airflow and to suck the car onto the road. Louvres are also used on the AMG GT R to further improve airflow and aerodynamics which gives the new model reduced drag compared to the AMG GT.
Most sideways AMG ever?
The GT R features rear-wheel steering to give better cornering abilities and is the first AMG model to do so. At speeds of up to 62mph the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the those at the front but will steer with them when the speed climbs over 62mph. Mercedes-Benz state that the car will be easier to control at the limit but I reckon this sounds like the most sideways AMG model yet.
To help keep the GT R pointing in the right direction there is an electronic rear-differential which will provide stability in the corners and will work in perfect unison with the ESP that comes with three settings, "ESP ON", "ESP SPORT Handling Mode" and "ESP OFF". Speed sensitive steering is also a feature on the GT R and the brand say will the perfect feel and feedback for the driver.
AMG thunder
Models that bear the AMG badge are well-known for having big, thunderous engines and the GT R is no different, under the long bonnet sits a 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 which throws out 577bhp - 74bhp more than the AMG GT S. It will propel the GT R to 62mph in 3.6 seconds and will get to a top speed of 198mph - about the same as a Jaguar F-Type SVR. Which will make the better noise though? The F-Type makes a very pleasurable noise but AMG models are certainly far from a shrinking violet.
The AMG GT R will have some help on it side in the form of a specially developed exhaust system which uses exhaust flaps that open and close in Sport Plus and RACE modes to give a better, louder sound. It's 6kg lighter than the system used in the AMG GT S thanks to thin-walled steel and titanium. The increase in engine performance is thanks to new turbochargers with modified compressor machining, smaller wastegate aneroid capsule and sharpened engine mapping.
The turbochargers are based within the V configuration to make the engine more compact and the theme of motor-racing inspired features continue with the use of Nanoslide coating of the cylinder liners which is taken from the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS F1 car. Helping to get the power out of the engine is a seven-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT transmission which has redesigned gear ratios and an array of driving modes to suit every drive.
The new car will be available from the 21st of November and prices are not released as of yet.