Mercedes-AMG GT R and GT Roadster launched in India

Mercedes-AMG GT R is priced at Rs. 2.23 crore, while the GT Roadster will set you back by Rs. 2.19 crore, both ex-showroom.

Mercedes-AMG has launched two new versions of its flagship sportscar - the GT in India. The first one is the track-focused GT R, while the other comes in form of a drop -top -the GT Roadster.

Unleashed in 2016 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the AMG GT R is currently the fastest street-legal Mercedes on sale around the world. It is based on the GT S, albeit it gets some serious improvements. First is the engine – the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol motor is still the star of the package but it’s been tweaked to develop a whopping 577bhp – up by 74bhp in comparison to the GT S. Peak torque has also been increased to 700Nm from 650Nm.

Power is fed to rear-wheels by the same seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, and Mercedes has tweaked the transmission software for quicker shifts. This makes the GT R clock 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds – two-tenths quicker than the GT S. The top speed is 319km/h.

Very recently, the Mercedes-AMG GT R set a record lap time at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida. Being driven by an AMG driver – Christian Hohenadel, the AMG GT R scorched the BIC track at a record lap time of 2 minutes 09.853 seconds, becoming the fastest production car ever to accomplish this record. The speed test was conducted by FMSCI.

If you fancy open-air motoring, the AMG GT Roadster should pique your interest more. It’s also based on the GT and gets the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. However, things are a bit relaxed in the drop-top version since the engine develops 463bhp and 630Nm of torque.

Mercedes has also launched service packages for the two cars - called Star Ease Compact package, starting at Rs. 92,000.