2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R
- Mike Moore
- Jun 27, 2016
- 5 min read
The launch of the AMG GT S has brought the automotive industry stalwarts of performance to attention, winning 2015 Motor Trend Best Driver’s Car, and wowing AMG Driving Academy audiences all over the globe at world-class racetracks.
As recently announced at the 2016 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the skunkworks in Affalterbach had something even more sinister up their sleeve: Introducing the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R.
Designed as a track car off the showroom floor, the AMG GT R takes all of the goodness of the AMG GT S and ups the ante – with increased power output, specific track-focused equipment, increased front and rear track, and outrageously aggressive new looks. More than a simple power output increase, the car has been thoroughly re-engineered with one goal in mind - to dominate the racetrack. The AMG GT R is posed to set the benchmark for the segment and be known around the world for being the new pinnacle of AMG driving performance.
Key technical and aesthetic highlights of the vehicle are as follows:
577hp and 516 lb-ft of Torque
198mph Top Speed
0-60mph in 3.5 seconds
Extensive use of Carbon Fiber in key areas to lower the center of gravity and add torsional rigidity
All-new AMG TRACTION CONTROL with 9 input levels that can be quickly changed from a center console rotary knob
Active aerodynamics coupled with an advanced cooling system for increased on-track performance
Significantly more aggressive aerodynamics for increased downforce yet reduced coefficient of drag
Active Rear-axle steering for sharper turn-in and better overall control of yawing and lateral-g forces
Wider front and rear fenders for wider track, allowing increased traction from one-inch wider tires front and rear.
Prominent central exhaust outlet with standard AMG Performance Exhaust
A GT R-exclusive new color: “AMG Green Hell Magno”
The new face of AMG - the Panamericana Grille, recalling racing success of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Panamericana
Motorsports Engine Technology
The Handcrafted AMG 4.0L V8 Biturbo, cleverly packaged with “Hot-inside-V” configuration with twin scroll turbochargers inside the engine’s “V,” make an appearance again in the AMG GT R, with even more motorsports technology added to the vehicle to increase power output and durability for the extreme conditions of track driving.
Increased power output to 577hp and 516 lb-ft of Torque, an increase of 74hp and 40lb-ft from AMG GT S, achieved with increased boost pressure from 17.4psi to 19.6psi, optimizing exhaust ports, and modifying compression ratio.
Lightened Dual-mass flywheel by 1.5lbs. for very direct throttle response and further durability to withstand extreme torque spikes caused by rapid transmission kickdowns during on-track driving.
Forged cylinder heads for greater durability and heat resistance.
Sophisticated engine management system that is adaptable based on driving aggression, throttle inputs, and g-force indicators, among others.
Track-Focused Dynamics
The overall drivability on-track of the AMG GT R has been thoroughly-engineered to take the exceptionally balanced chassis to the next level – a true performance driving hero.
Active Rear-Axle Steering (up to 1.5-degrees of toe angle) driven by two electro-mechanical motors yields sharper turn-in angles due to opposite-angle steering up to 62mph and outstanding stability with same-angle steering above 62mph.
First-ever implementation of 9-mode AMG TRACTION CONTROL, adjusted via a rotary knob easily accessed on the center console for adjustability while on-track.
AMG TRACTION CONTROL works when the vehicle’s Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is in “Off” mode, and uses friction coefficients to allow for fine-tuning adjustment of slip allowance on the car, while simultaneously interfacing with the electronic limited slip rear differential to manage wheel spin.
Manually adjustable rear sway bars, exclusively for the AMG GT R, allowing track-specific suspension setups to mitigate body roll and sharpen handling response.
Intelligent Design
Beauty is not just skin deep, it is in the racing-derived details. The aggressive looks of the AMG GT R and its engineering under the skin, is all done with a specific purpose – for extreme performance. Extensive aerodynamic testing and an exceptionally advanced cooling system, coupled with Active Aerodynamics, create downforce (increased by up to 342lbs. in total) with less drag than the GT S.
Wider and more aggressive fenders by 46mm front and 57mm rear as compared to the GT S, creating room for a significantly wider track on street-legal Extreme Sport tires.
Active Aerodynamics combine with an advanced cooling system to channel air around the engine and transaxle transmission, reduce aerodynamic drag, and improve heat dissipation for the rigors of track use.
One of the key features of the active aerodynamic system is a lightweight Carbon Fiber profile that lowers at 50mph by 40mm under the car’s engine for additional cooling in RACE mode, while increasing front downforce by 110lbs.
Entirely new front valence with aggressive splitter and rear diffuser are integrated into the vehicle’s advanced cooling system for the increased cooling requirements of track use.
Wheel-arch air intakes behind the front wheels simultaneously provide cooling air to the transmission and decrease positive air pressure in the wheel arches.
Racing-Inspired Materials
The chassis of the AMG GT R is an intelligent mix of lightweight materials. The AMG GT S already included 90%+ of its weight-optimized aluminum spaceframe and body components from lightweight aluminum, and with the GT R comes an extensive use of Carbon Fiber panels and structural components to reduce weight and increase torsional rigidity, as well as Fiberglass for weight savings. It is technology taken directly from our motorsports expertise, and entirely in the nature of AMG Driving Performance.
Carbon Fiber exterior body components with a purpose: Carbon-fiber front fenders provide increased track width, while Carbon Fiber can also be found in the roof panel to lower the car’s center of gravity.
The Carbon fiber Torque Tube housing the driveshaft between the engine and transaxle transmission saves approximately 40% in weight and increases torsional rigidity 7.5% as compared to the same component in aluminum.
Two strut tower braces in the engine bay made from Carbon Fiber stiffen the chassis and are 50% lighter than the same aluminum component in the AMG GT S.
Increased attention was paid to reducing unsprung weight for better track dynamics with ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels and the AMG Carbon Ceramic Braking system.
AMG is widely known for its motorsports heritage -- proven by recent AMG GT3 domination at 24h Nürburgring as part of the German Touring Car (DTM) circuit, and the championship-leading Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team -- with all of this racing expertise distilled into this ultra-high-performance vehicle. More than just a power increase, the AMG GT R is a dedicated track weapon in the spirit of AMG’s racing success, with direct technology from motorsport.
The AMG GT R is expected to arrive at dealerships by early Summer 2017, and we hope you are as excited about this benchmark product as we are. We will provide more details on the vehicle and the comprehensive training behind the product in the coming months. The Mercedes-AMG GT R is the next pinnacle of the super sports car category and is a rolling showcase of AMG racing technology success. It is the purest expression of Driving Performance.
Note: European-spec Vehicle Shown