MERCEDES-BENZ Malaysia has unleashed its latest beasts, the Mercedes-AMG GT R and GT C for the Malaysian market.
The two flagship grand tourers are packed with the latest innovations and technologies to make them faster, feistier and more agile.
However, both cars are different in personality.
Under the low-slung hood of the AMG GT isa4.0-litre turbocharged V8, making 585hp and 700Nm of torque on the GT R, and tuned to produce 557hp and 680Nm of torque for the GT C.
Having spent most of its development time on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, also known as the Green Hell, the GT R is nicknamed Beast of the Green Hell as it lapped the track in just 7:10.9 minutes.
Both cars are equipped with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, enabling the GTR to sprint to 100kph in 3.6 seconds and GT C at 0.1 second slower.
Michael Jopp, vice president of sales and marketing for passenger cars Mercedes-Benz Malaysia, spoke at the launch event: “The GTR and GT C embody the core value of our brand, Driving Performance, in a unique way. They are brutal, incredibly powerful and agile.
“At their debut four years ago, they not only turned the heads of customers and sports car enthusiasts, but also created new dimensions in the competitive environment. These new generation models will deliver an incomparable thrill that our drivers experience on the road and track.”
While the cars are still largely unchanged from before, they do sport notable features on the exterior.
The radiator grille, air intakes and slits are optimised for better cooling and improved aerodynamics. There’s also active aero going on. At speed of 80kph in RACE mode, the 2kg carbon component that is sealed in the underbody in front of the engine moves downward by 40mm and changes the airflow.
Both GTR and GT C are equipped with AIRPANEL air management system with vertical louvres positioned directly
behind the front apron.
The electronically-controlled louvres can be opened or closed and contribute to better performance and improved handling precision at high driving speed.
The suspension of the GT R is racetrack-focused. The components are made out of forged aluminium to reduce unsprung mass and manages wheel movements firmly.
The AMG RIDE CONTROL in the GT R is tuned for a precise and uncompromised handling, while the nit on the GT C is paired to continuously variable adaptive dampers for optimum handling on all road conditions.
The lighting system on the GT R and GT C are fitted with LED high-performance headlights with daytime-running lights, LED tail lights with deeper design.
The GTR is characterised by a carbon fibre roof, fixed rear spoiler, a diffuser with central-mounted exhaust outlet, yellow-painted brake calipers and AMG five-twin-spoke forged wheels.
The GT C, on the other hand, boasts slightly more luxurious features, which include panoramic sunroof, quad exhaust outlets, retractable rear spoiler, red-painted brake calipers and AMG cross-spoke forged wheels.
On the inside, both cars get a set of 12.3-inch fully-digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch multimedia display on the centre console, AMG DYNAMIC SELECT for different vehicle modes and AMG DYNAMICS that optimises the transverse dynamics of the car.
Unique to the GT R is its DINAMICA microfibre steering wheel, AMG Track Package (consisting of roll-over protection system, 4-point safety harnesses, 2kg fire extinguisher and diagonal Xbrace), AMG bucket seats and AMG Track Pace, which is like a personal race engineer that records the driving and driver input telemetries.
As for the GT C, it comes with an option of nappa leather or DINAMICA microfibre steering wheel.
The new Mercedes-AMG GT R is priced at RM1,712,888, while the GT C is priced at RM1,558,888 (both prices are on-the-road without insurance).