If you're planning on buying a Mercedes-AMG GT R, you shouldn't wait until 2021. As it turns out, Mercedes-Benz decided to discontinue the R-badged version of the AMG GT, with final orders to be accepted only until December 29. The AMG GT R is going out of production as the German company is rolling out the range-topping AMG GT Black Series and the AMG GT Stealth Edition models.
Mercedes-AMG GT R orders shut down on December 29
The lineup's range-topping model since its introduction in 2017 and until Mercedes-Benz unveiled the AMG GT Black Series, the AMG GT R is no longer available starting December 30. That's the word from Allcarnews, which got its hands on an e-mail sent by the company's product management department to Mercedes-Benz dealers. The e-mail says that the AMG GT R has been discontinued "with the upcoming arrival of the highly anticipated Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series and GT Stealth Editions" and that "order banks for the MY21 GT R will be shut down Tuesday, December 29."
As of December 2020, the AMG GT R is the most expensive GT model available in the U.S., priced from $162,900. For reference, the base AMG GT comes in at $115,900, while the AMG GT C retails from $150,900.
The AMG GT R is the second-most powerful of its kind, behind the new Black Series model. The twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 generates 577 horsepower, 27 more than the AMG GT C but 143 horses below the Black Series. With the AMG GT R discontinued, the Pro models also goes into the history books. Based on the AMG GT R, the GT R Pro featured a sportier suspension setup, a steel roll-cage for the rear section of the cabin, and extra carbon-fiber components.
The Mercedes-AMG GT R joins a long list of cars that have been discontinued for 2021
The AMG GT R is not the only sports car you won't be able to buy in 2021. The Alfa Romeo 4C Spider and the BMW i8 have also been discontinued beyond 2020. Ford also put an end to the Mustang Shelby GT350. The AMG GT R is the second Mercedes that's going out of production in 2020. The other one is the SLC. The list of cars that have been axed in 2020 includes the Acura RLX, Bentley Mulsanne, Cadillac CT6, Honda Civic Coupe, and Lexus GS.
The first-generation Mercedes-AMG GT won't be around much longer
Yes, Mercedes is now bringing the wild Black Series into showrooms and some special-edition models will follow, but the AMG GT as we know it probably won't survive beyond 2021. The Germans are already working on a second-gen model, which will share its architecture with the upcoming SL grand tourer. The latter will probably debut first sometime in 2021, with the second-gen AMG GT to follow for the 2022 model year.