---
title: "2018 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster: 7 First Impressions"
description: "AMG's 550-horsepower, 196-mph GT C Roadster proves (again) that a post-op coupe can be a success."
date: "2017-03-31"
modified: "2017-03-31"
authors:
  - name: "Lawrence Ulrich"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/lawrence-ulrich"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/8848/2018-mercedes-amg-gt-c-roadster-7-first-impressions"
categories:
  - "Car Reviews"
  - "Mercedes-AMG GT"
  - "Mercedes-Benz Reviews"
tags:
  - "AMG GT"
  - "Convertible"
  - "luxury"
  - "Mercedes-Benz"
  - "sports car"
---

# 2018 Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster: 7 First Impressions

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2017/03/mercedes-amg-gt-c-roadster-the-drive-lawrence-ulrich-tout.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Mercedes made a major sports-car splash in 2016 with its AMG GT coupe, a Porsche 911 fighter with style and speed to burn. Sun worshippers will have to wait a bit for the new convertible version—the 2018 AMG GT C Roadster goes on sale this fall—but we slapped on the SPF 50 and got a burning early dose of the Benz on a run from Phoenix to the famous Red Rocks of Sedona. I actually got doubly burned, nailed for speeding by a sheriff in the Sonoran desert. But following AMG excitation, plus a stiff citation, here are my seven first impressions of this desert roadrunner:

## 1. Exhibit A (for AMG) in the evolution of the convertible

Like clean-sheet convertibles from McLaren, [Ferrari](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/4780/a-ferrari-488-spider-goes-to-woodstock>), and [Lamborghini](<https://www.thedrive.com/supercars/5740/2016-lamborghini-huracan-lp610-4-spyder-group-discussion>), the Mercedes renders the old stereotype obsolete: Unless you plan to put a roll cage in the AMG (yeah, right), there’s nothing the coupe can do that [the convertible can’t match](<https://www.thedrive.com/article/5209/drive-wire-for-september-15th-2016-mercedes-amg-debuts-two-amg-gt-roadsters>). Differences in weight and structural rigidity are negligible; with its triple-layer fabric soft top and a magnesium/aluminum/steel roof structure, the AMG GT C Roadster adds just 77 pounds to the coupe.

## 2. Exhibit B (for Biturbo) in the evolution of the convertible

The base-model AMG GT Roadster gets an ample 469 horsepower from Mercedes’ stonking 4.0-liter biturbo V8. The GT C version cranks that to an even 550 horses, good for a 3.7-second rip to 60 miles per hour and a 196-mph top speed. That’s just 2 mph slower up top than [the ‘Ring-storming, 2018 AMG GT R Coupe](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/4145/your-first-look-at-the-new-mercedes-amg-gt-r>).

![message-editor%2F1490984703476-20170331\_142311.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1490984703476-20170331_142311.jpg>)
*AMG GT C Roadster takes a breather before a desert descent., *Lawrence Ulrich**

## 3. Similarities between Roadster and Coupe don’t end there

For deep-pocketed AMG buyers who’ve become accustomed to big leaps in price, the GT C version may be worth the roughly $160,000 base fare—at least, compared to maybe $125,000 for the standard Roadster. Only the GT C shares three key elements with the GT R Coupe: A dramatically flared rear end with a 2.25-inch wider axle track; performance-boosting active rear steering that can move the rear wheels up to 1.5 degrees; and a sophisticated electronic limited-slip rear differential.

## 4. The Roadster puts AMG’s best face forward

The Roadster introduced us to the GT’s boldly redesigned front end, which the 2018 GT Coupes will adopt as well. A so-called “Panamerica” grill—no, not “[Panamera](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/8014/porsche-panamera-sport-hybrid-is-the-porsche-wagon-youve-dreamed-about>),” that would be tacky—integrates thick vertical slats. Behind the metal-mouthed grille is the Airpanel, a set of 14 active louvers that can open or shutter in less than one second to reduce drag or boost engine cooling.

![message-editor%2F1490985044364-20170329\_110728.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/message-editor/1490985044364-20170329_110728.jpg>)
*Meet the new "Panamerica" grille., *Lawrence Ulrich**

## 5. Mercedes, meet Camaro. You’ve got something in common.

The AMG’s convertible treatment solves its literal blind spot: Top duly dropped, you can actually see out of the damn thing. [As with Chevy’s pony car](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/7882/camaro-zl1-road-trip-to-daytona-7-first-impressions>), the AMG GT Coupe’s neck-high beltline, stingy glass area, and steeply raked windshield are its biggest downer.

## 6. It's like strapping on a German rocket. Or did I say that wrong?

Steering, sensation, a Wagnerian crescendo of sound: This convertible does it all. Style, too: The Solarbeam Yellow paint, a dead ringer for Michigan Wolverine maize, remains the car’s signature. But whichever color you choose, the Mercedes makes a far-bigger impression on innocent bystanders than a Porsche 911. In other words, people go apeshit over the AMG.

## 7. You want practical? Buy a Porsche.

The Mercedes delivers near-supercar style and performance, but it’s closer to a Miata in terms of practicality—especially the convertible, whose trunk cries “uncle” after the addition of two weekend bags. Footwells are narrow, and fore-and-aft seat travel is limited. There’s not a whit of storage behind the seats, not even a net or hinged cubby as in the Mazda.

*Watch Lawrence Ulrich hit the gas in the new Mercedes-AMG GT C Roadster below.*

## Author
Born and forged in the Motor City, now a Brooklynite, Lawrence is the former chief auto critic at the *New York Times* and *Detroit Free Press*. His award-winning work has appeared in *Automobile*, *Road & Track*, *Fortune*, *Conde Nast Portfolio*, *Men's Journal*, *Popular Science* and others.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/lawrenceulrich>)