The AMG GT C is one of the finest sports cars on sale today but, unlike so many others, its appeal is not lost once the roof is. Arguably the Roadster is even more desirable.
| Engine | Power | Torque | 0-100kph | Top speed | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8, twin-turbo, 3982cc | 549bhp @ 5750-6750rpm | 502lb ft @ 1900-5750rpm | 3.7sec (claimed) | 315kph (claimed) | 1678kg | $178,300 |
 |
|---|
So many great cars throughout history have been ruined by turning them into convertibles. The once flawless lines of a coupe have often given way to strange silhouettes, while the rigidity of chassis and bodies has become nothing but a distant memory, replaced by flexing, groaning structures that seem to bend as they negotiate even the slightest speed humps. Things are much better these days, thankfully, but there’s still something a bit ‘soft’ about a convertible or roadster, isn’t there?
AMG would like to overturn that impression with the GT C – a model that could very well have had its recipe soured by the removal of its roof, so distinctive is the GT’s outline. Yet here the effect, once the roof is lowered, is striking for all the right reasons – it’s a brutally handsome thing that’s practically impossible to stop staring at, no matter if the roof is up or down. And, like a proper sports car, it’s made from fabric to keep the weight down and takes just 11 seconds to
fully retract.
Make no mistake, this is no floaty grand tourer – it’s a finely honed road and track weapon that keeps its driver entertained at all times with stupendous amounts of power and torque from a 4-litre, twin-turbo V8 that sounds like it displaces twice that amount. And without a metal roof to deaden its soundtrack, the sonic theatrics make you feel much closer to the action.
Its steering is remarkably responsive, too, thanks to the rear wheels getting in on the act. At speeds up to 100kph, they turn in the opposite direction to the fronts, giving increased agility and the impression that the car is smaller than it actually is. This is terrific fun for the driver but for a passenger it could easily be nauseous. Over 100kph they steer in the same direction as the fronts, which increases high-speed stability – it’s exceedingly clever and effective.
Combined with that incredible engine (549bhp and 502lb ft should be enough to satiate the desires of most ‘spirited’ drivers), the steering and the car’s uncompromised construction enable the GT C Roadster to destroy whatever road lies ahead of it, with a focus firmly on evo’s favourite thing: the joy of driving. It’s an addictive hit that could land you in serious trouble with the law but, as you’re being led away from the dock in handcuffs and chains, you’ll probably think it was worth it.
Significantly wider than the standard GT, it feels more planted and easier to hustle along twisting roads and, when traction is inevitably breached, the slides are deliciously controllable. The ride can be a bit firm for longer journeys but there’s little else to complain about. AMG has definitely delivered with this glorious automobile and it’s not soft in any way, shape or form. On the contrary, this is one convertible that positively drips with driver appeal.
