THE ALL NEW MERCEDES AMG GT ROADSTER, HIT OR MISS?

For those of you who thought I was hinting at a certain meme in the title, you're 100% right, I am indeed down with the kids. This article will briefly explore the pros and cons of AMG's latest creation. Feel free to let me know what you think of the car in the comments section!

Is it really worth it?

The most notable changes to the 2019 model are the new infotainment system, it's new 'performance' steering wheel along with an improved multi-modal traction system. Other than these alterations, the car remains almost unchanged from last year. Compared to it's main rivals, the Roadster is 10% more expensive than Porsche's new '992' Carerra S Cabriolet but still £20k cheaper than Audi's cheapest R8 Spyder. I think it is safe to say that the Roadster, along with it's rivals, is set to put a deep burning hole into your genuine Italian leather wallet.

The hardtop version of the AMG GT (CREDIT: AMG)

The hardtop version of the AMG GT (CREDIT: AMG)

The Roadster also inherits a new transmission tunnel from the larger GT63 with settings to alter the transmission modes and various exhaust modes. The Stuttgart based firm has cherry picked the best bits from the GT63 and made it suitable for the Roadster. Could the Roadster really be worth the £116k price tag?

How does it feel to drive?

CREDIT: AutoCar

CREDIT: AutoCar

Ride and handling in the Roadster are good enough for Mercedes standards but doesn't quite have the edge to provide a leading sports car experience. Usually, AMG's would be quite heavy in the bends and rather sinister to drive but the GT feels very light and manoeuvrable at high speeds. This is duly impressive taking the car's width and long bonnet into account. On the road, the chassis feels amazingly stable and with added spurts of that glorious V8, the experience on the road feels surreal.

Much like all AMG's though, when you put your foot down, i has the ability to shred its tyres in a matter of minutes. Muscle car or Sports car? The Roadster makes you feel like you are driving a discreetly attractive car that has a engine for a really good muscle car?

What am I trying to say?

The Roadster inherits most of it's new components from the Mercedes GT63, the four door rocket produced by the engineers at Affalterbach. (CREDIT: AMG)

The Roadster inherits most of it's new components from the Mercedes GT63, the four door rocket produced by the engineers at Affalterbach. (CREDIT: AMG)

The Roadster is not a hardcore sports car. If you want a similar experience from a Mercedes, then the GT AMG R Pro could be the car for you but if you want to keep it relatively relaxed, then the Roadster is the one. Taking away the active locking differential, adaptive damper and four wheel steering gives the impression that Mercedes wanted to save some weight, all in the benefit of cornering. The missed opportunity for enhancing the chassis hints that the Roadster isn't the type of car to drive on the ragged edge, unlike it's rivals, and instead is meant to drive long, sweeping miles rather than receiving a pounding on a race track.

The GT. A byword for relaxation. Thinking of all the previous cars with a GT badge on it, they are all built for the same purpose. Comfort. The Roadster is not competing with the ultimate racing machine but with the epitome of driving ease and comfort. The fact that it is a convertible also means that once you open that sumptuous cloth roof, miles and miles of sky is available. This, coupled with the crisp sound of the 469bhp V8, empowers you to feel the best of feeling. This is a feeling that only very few cars can evoke.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEW ROADSTER? COMMENT DOWN BELOW!