The Mercedes-AMG GT range has expanded to four road-going models, with the GT C Edition 50 revealed at the Detroit motor show - the latest in AMG’s range of sports cars to be entirely designed and built by the performance sub-brand.
GT C will be available in Australia as a coupe or convertible and introduces a facelifted front end design which will roll out to GT and GT S models as part of a larger GT family update for 2017.
The revised front features larger air intakes, restyled lower apron and the prominent Panamericana grille with 15 vertical chrome slats. This grille will soon be seen on the front of every Mercedes-AMG model, not only the two-door GT.
“This is our traditional racing grille. We brought that back from the racing onto the street,” design boss Gorden Wagener explained to Australian media. “That will be the new signature for AMG.”
Upgrades to GT C include a bump in power over GT and GT S, with outputs of 410kW and 680Nm putting it second in the range to the 430kW/700Nm AMG GT R.
GT and GT S also receive more power and torque. GT grows to 350kW and 630Nm, up 10kW and 30Nm, while GT S climbs to 384kW and 670Nm, up 9kW and 20Nm.
For its initial production run GT C will be available exclusively with the limited Edition 50 option pack, coinciding with AMG’s 50th anniversary celebrations occurring this year.
Edition 50 will only be offered in matte grey or matte white, with black chrome highlights on the exterior.
Performance enhancements from the flagship AMG GT R have made their way to the GT C, including a torque vectoring rear axle with active steering, larger wheels and tyres, and wider rear arches, though they’re wrapped in the GT C’s more luxurious package compared to the track-focused GT R.
AMG boss Tobias Moers explained to Wheels the Mercedes-AMG GT C is about blending some technology and thinking behind the GT R with a more comfortable, less extreme road car. AMG’s infinitely variable Ride Control suspension, also shared with GT R, is also found in GT C.
The GT R’s AirPanel active aerodynamics system will now be applied to every GT model, which uses motorised louvres beneath the front splitter to open and close and assist with cooling and downforce.
Australia is in line to receive the updated versions of all six variants of the four GT models (including coupes and convertibles) in the second half of 2017. Pricing is yet to be set for the revised range, though GT and GT S should stay around their starting points of $259,000 and $299,000 respectively.
GT C and GT R will be more expensive, with GT C carrying a list price closer to that of the GT R than the GT S.
“You will find the pricing of the GT R will surprise you, it’ll certainly surprise our competitors,” said Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman, David McCarthy.
Expect GT C to start somewhere around $325,000 for the coupe, with the GT R beginning around $340,000.
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