Unveiled in 2014 as a spiritual successor for the SLS AMG and a competitor for the Porsche 911, the Mercedes-AMG GT has already spawned a number of different versions and even received a facelift in 2017. Come 2018, and the AMG GT family expanded yet again with the addition of the AMG GT S Roadster. The third roadster in the lineup, the GT S Roadster is also the ninth member of the two-door GT family, joining four coupes and two race-spec models. With Mercedes-Benz having also launched three four-door model in 2018, the AMG GT family now includes no fewer than 12 cars!

Much like in the coupe range, the AMG GT S Roadster slots above the AMG GT and below the GT C Roadster. The latter is very similar to the GT R coupe, but with a slightly less powerful engine. Much like the hard-top model, the GT S Roadster has a sportier drivetrain and also benefits from the facelift that added 15 horsepower and ten pound-feet of torque to the GT S coupe in 2017. Granted, the AMG-GT S Roadster is far from new, but it enables Mercedes-Benz to provide its customers with a choice of three open-top two-seaters.

Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster.

Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster Exterior

Far from surprising, the AMG GT S Roadster is pretty much identical to the standard GT Roadster on the outside. While the GT C model gets slightly more aggressive features, the GT S remains unchanged, so you won't be able to tell the difference unless you take a closer look at the badge or floor the gas pedal to feel the extra oomph. Is this an issue? No way! The standard AMG GT looks aggressive enough as it is and I can't say that the GT C is a lot more appealing.

But if you want a few more extra features on the GT S, you can always go with the optional AMG Exterior Carbon-Fiber package, which replaces the standard front splitter, mirror caps, and rear diffuser with carbon elements. It also adds air inlet grilles in the front bumper, air outlet grilles on the hood, and the air outlet grilles behind the front fenders, in high-gloss black. The latter also include carbon-fiber fins.

Mercedes-Benz also offers the AMG Exterior Night package, which includes numerous features in high-gloss black for extra sportiness. Refinished elements include the front splitter, fins in the air inlet grilles in the front bumper, the air outlet grilles on the hood, the air outlet grilles with fins behind the front fenders, mirror caps, the trim strip in the diffuser insert, and the two exhaust tailpipes. Get both packages and you have yourself a GT C Roadster design-wise.

Finally, the GT S benefits from the same soft-top as the rest of the lineup. The three-layered fabric roof is supported by a magnesium, steel, and aluminum structure that's light enough to keep the vehicle’s center of gravity low. Additional roll-over protection is provided by an integrated aluminum cross- member, while the inserted acoustic mat reduces noise in the cabin.

Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster Interior

The GT S cabin is also identical to the standard GT, save for a few extra features. It has the same aviation-inspired theme that debuted in the coupe model, including the wing-like dashboard with spotlight-style A/C vents in the center stack, and concave-shaped door panels. The center console is particularly interesting, as it has the AMG Drive Unit controls arranged like eight cylinders in a V layout -- just like the 4.0-liter engine under the hood.

The cabin is packed with high-quality materials in just about every trim, but the GT S comes with leather and microfiber as standard. Another upgrade with the "S" is the number of materials and options available. Besides the usual all-black theme, you can also get Nappa leather with Auburn Brown, Red Pepper, and Silver Pearl accents. Or if you want less black, there are two duo-tone options that combine black with white or Red Pepper. Saddle Brown and Macchiato Beige inserts alongside black are also up for grabs with the Exclusive Nappa leather option. Finally, you can opt for yellow, grey or red contrast stitching.

Unlike the AMG GT, the AMG GT S comes standard with the AMG Silver Chrome Interior package, which adds a center console surround, air-vent bezels, and door trim in silver chrome. The optional AMG Black Piano Lacquer Interior package changes the above to a classy piano lacquer look. Other options include matte silver fiberglass, carbon-fiber, and matte carbon-fiber. The AMG Performance seats and the Airscarf heating system come standard.

Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster Performance

Much like the rest of the AMG GT lineup, the GT S Roadster gets its juice from the twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 engine that Mercedes-Benz introduced with the coupe four years ago. In this trim, the unit is rated at 515 horsepower and 494 pound-feet of torque. That's an extra 46 horsepower and 29 pound-feet over the base AMG GT, but a 35-horsepower and eight-pound-foot deficit compared to the range-topping AMG GT C Roadster.

As you might have already guessed, the AMG GT S is a tad quicker than the AMG GT from 0 to 60 mph. While the base model achieves the benchmark in 3.9 seconds, the AMG GT S gets there in 3.7 clicks. On the flipside, the AMG GT S is slower than the AMG GT C, which needs 3.6 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start. The same is available when it comes to top speed, as the AMG GT S is four mph faster than the AMG GT and four mph slower than the AMG GT C at 192 mph.

The same seven-speed, AMG Speedshift, dual-clutch transmission sends the power to the rear wheels.

This roadster is fitted with the AMG Ride Control suspension as standard. The unit uses adaptive damping adjustment which improves safety and ride comfort by adjusting the damping at each wheel. The damping settings also change depending on the driving mode selected. Like the other AMG GT model, the GT S has five: Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus, Race, and Individual.

The standard equipment list also includes an electronically controlled rear differential. Integrated into the transmission housing, it further improves traction and increases cornering speed capability. Stopping power comes from the same braking system as the standard AMG GT, but you can upgrade to the optional ceramic-composite breaking system for improved response.

Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster Pricing

Pricing information for the U.S. market is not yet available, but it's safe to assume that just like the coupe model, the roadster version of the GT S will slot between the GT and the GT C pricing-wise. The GT S coupe requires an 18 percent premium over the GT coupe and the premium should be similar for the drop-top. With the AMG GT Roadster priced from $124,400, the AMG GT S Roadster will probably cost around $146,500. For reference, the AMG GT C Roadster fetches $157,700 before options.

Competition

Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet

Before the AMG GT S arrived, the base AMG GT was considered a rival for the 911 Turbo, while the AMG GT C was usually compared to the more powerful 911 Turbo S. Now that the AMG GT S Roadster is here, it's safe to say that Mercedes has a better competitor for the 911 Turbo Cabriolet. While the AMG GT is no slouch, its 469-horsepower rating was exactly powerful enough for Turbo's 540-horsepower, 3.8-liter flat-six. Granted the 515 horses developed by the AMG GT S aren't enough either, but it's a close battle. However, the AMG GT S still isn't quite the solid performer against the 911 Turbo when it comes to 0-to-60 mph sprint, as the 911 needs only three seconds to get there. That's more than a half-second quicker, which is noticeable in a drag race. On the other hand, the extra 25 horsepower and the quicker sprint don't come cheap, as the 911 Turbo Cabriolet retails from $174,100. That's nearly $30,000 more than what the AMG GT S Roadster is expected to fetch. Are you willing to pay the premium?

Read our full review of the 2018 Porsche 911 Turbo.

Conclusion

Needless to say, the Mercedes-AMG GT S Roadster is anything but new. I mean, it's new in drop-top form, but it's been offered with the same specs as a coupe for a long time. The fact that Mercedes now launched it as a Roadster is far from surprising. The only thing that's a bit surprising is that the AMG GT S arrived after the AMG GT C. Maybe Mercedes did not intend to sell an S version of the Roadster and somehow realized that it needs one after the base and C models arrived in showrooms. Whatever the case, it's pretty obvious that Mercedes decided to round off the AMG GT lineup with three different models and this is a good thing, as the GT S moves a bit closer to the 911 Turbo performance-wise. All Mercedes-Benz needs now is a convertible version of the AMG GT R. Will we get it? It might not happen, but you never know with the company ever-expanding lineup.

References

Read our full review on the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT Roadster.

Read our full review on the 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster.

Read more Mercedes-Benz news.