The first model will adopt the GT Roadster name. As that name implies, it will essentially be a topless version of the GT, meaning it will use a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine tuned to churn out 456 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 443 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 and 5,000 rpm. The GT coupe hits 60 mph from a stop in 3.9 seconds, but the roadster should take about 4.1 seconds because it will be a little bit heavier.
The second version of the Roadster will be an entirely new model dubbed GT C Roadster. While AMG is keeping its lips sealed for the time being, Australian website Motoring has learned that the C will be positioned between the GT S and the race-ready, limited-edition GT R (pictured) that made its debut a couple of weeks ago. Power will come from an evolution of the standard GT’s V8 tweaked to make about 540 horsepower, so it should be as fast — if not faster — than the GT S coupe.
Both GT Roadster variants will use a conventional fabric soft top. That’s because a cloth top is much lighter than a folding hard top, and engineers were asked to make the roadster conversion as weight-neutral as possible. A cloth soft top will also help Mercedes differentiate the GT Roadster from the SL that it will share its price bracket with.
Read more: Has Mercedes-AMG declared open season on the Bugatti Chiron?
Mercedes-AMG hasn’t revealed what it will show in Paris, so we’re taking the report with a grain of salt for the time being. If it’s accurate, we’ll learn more about the long-awaited GT Roadster in the coming weeks.
