The new Mercedes Roadsters are convertibles. But they’re not your average Sunday afternoon cruisers.
Following the recent launch of the AMG GT R at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the new Roadster GT and GT C promise to deliver the driving experience of a coupe — just tied up in a better package for catching some rays.
Just unveiled (in photos, at least) ahead of its official debut during the Paris Motor Show, the new ride will come in two varieties. The regular GT is churning out 476 ponies and 465 lb-ft of torque, while the boosted GT C is working with 557 Clydesdales and a more focused all-around package. While both steeds are packing a 4.0-liter V8, it’s the added 37 lb-ft of torque that up the GT C’s zip to a 3.7-second 0-60 sprint and a 196 MPH top speed, versus the 3.4-seconds and 188 MPH of the GT.
The most significant spec ganked from the GT R is the rear-wheel steering system, meaning at low speeds the back wheels turn the opposite way to accommodate for the front wheel’s sharper turn. But once you hit about 62 MPH, they turn in the same direction. That translates to more acceleration, but also more stability.
Performance aside, they’re pretty slick, but muscular and a bit more menace at the nose. Appropriate for a sports ride. And inside, you’ll be relishing an abundance of leather and a fanciful heating and cooling system with the roof overhead opening and closing in a breezy 11 seconds.
But we’d advise getting some goggles to replace those sunnies, because you’re going to want to hit the track in this wild number — top down, of course. They’re a real breath of fresh air.
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