2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R revealed in Goodwood

Mercedes-Benz recently revealed the AMG GT R, the latest iteration of the AMG GT at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, giving it more power and shedding some of its weight.

The AMG engineers have managed to make it 90 kg lighter than the AMG GT S, while at the same time churning out 577 hp and 699 Nm of torque from the twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 motor. Power is delivered via the same 7-speed dual-clutch transmission but has been tweeked for the GT R version. The first gear has a longer ratio while the seventh gear is shorter to give it better acceleration. The AMG GT R accelerates from 0-100 kph in 3.6 seconds and hits a top speed of 318 kph.

In the handling front, Mercedes has added 4-wheel steering to the AMG GT R to improve cornering ability and stability. The rear wheels point the opposite direction to the front ones at speeds of up to 100 kph, while above that speed they point at the same direction as the front. It rides on 19-inch front and 20-inch forged wheels rear, wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2.

The AMG GT R gets a special “AMG Green Hell mango” body colour. The exterior also gets a more aggressive body kit, with the front getting the AMG Panamericana grille derived from the GT3 race car. The underbody has been redone to provide better aerodynamics. Mercedes has also fitted a carbon component in front which moves downwards to improve airflow when the car is doing about 80 kph in ‘RACE’ mode. A new lighter exhaust system has been added as well.

For the inside, it gets AMG peformance seats wrapped in Nappa leather, with optional yellow seatbelts. Other features include a piano black trim and the instrument cluster getting yellow highlights.

The 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT R is set to go on sale some time in mid-2017. Definitely expect to see it on the roads of UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other GCC countries then.