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Though not the most powerful, the Roadster offers great drivability
Performance – The AMG GT is offered in multiple states of tune, depending on the model but the Roadster sold in India uses the base engine with the least output among the growing GT line-up. However, it has seen an increase of 13 HP and 30 Nm from the original GT which wasn’t launched in India (we got the more powerful GT S). The 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 sits closer to the cabin with its front-mid engine layout and produces 476 HP and 630 Nm and although the numbers look humble, the fact that the peak torque comes in at a low 1700 RPM and stays there till 5000 RPM gives the GT great drivability.
[flickr size=”center” float=”medium”]http://www.flickr.com/photos/motorbeam/49588108227/[/flickr]
The motor is not only extremely smooth but also very refined
Turn on active exhausts and this V8 motor will pop, crackle and make all kinds of sounds to wake up your neighbourhood
Turbo lag is well contained, the motor is very refined and smooth but gets vocal in the mid-range and screams to its near 7000 RPM redline. 0-100 km/hr takes 4 seconds and the top speed is 302 km/hr (1 km/hr slower than the coupe). The engine has a lot of character, it sounds raw and unfiltered and with the touch of a button, you can turn on the active exhausts which pop, crackle and burp on lift-off and downshifts, pure aural symphony.
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7-speed tranny is comically quick and also comes with paddle shifters
The 7-speed AMG Speedshift gearbox (sits right below the rear axle) is a dual-clutch unit, it’s super fast with shifts, making it pointless to do manual shifts using the steering-mounted paddles. The gearing has been altered on the Roadster with a higher first gear and low top gear and final drive. The car gets the regular drive modes seen on all other Mercedes cars which are Individual, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ that alter the engine, gearbox, steering and suspension. I said the modes are the same as other Mercedes cars, not other AMGs because shockingly there is no Race mode, nor is there Race Start (a.k.a. launch control in Mercedes speak), these are optional though. Fuel economy is around 4 km/l while the 75-litre tank ensures a decent range.
