2016 AMG GT R (C190) 4.0L V8 7AT RWD (585 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Mercedes-AMG came on the market with an even meaner machine in 2016, launching the GTR version for the C190 lineup, and it broke records.

Usually, AMGs were sportier versions of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars. Even though they offered quite a punch, they were not designed for records on tracks. They kept their comfortable seats and suspensions and their luxurious cabins. But when AMG became a stand-alone brand, things changed quickly, and the GTR proved that.

Based on the same platform as the Mercedes-Benz SL (R232), the GTR came as a higher-spec version of the regular GT that was launched in 2015. But, unlike that, it featured a Panamericana front grille with vertical slats and a different apron on the lower bumper, with broad air intakes. From its profile, the GTR kept the same roofline with a sloped- rear window. In addition, at the back, a massive wing was mounted on the trunk lid. Finally, on the lower bumper, the car sported a set of Venturi tubes that enhanced the ground effect, sucking the vehicle onto the ground at high speeds.

The cabin was a mix of luxury and sportiness with its sports bucket seats. The automaker extensively used Alcantara and leather for wrapping the interior. At the same time, the dashboard featured a display atop the center stack for the infotainment system and an analog instrument panel.

Under the hood, AMG installed a hand-built hot V8 powerplant with two superchargers inside the cylinder banks. It was tuned to provide 585 PS (577 hp). That was more than 100 ponies than its regular GT sibling. As an ultimate statement, the GTR established a lap record around the Nurburgring for an RWD vehicle at the time of its launch.