Let’s go straight to the show stoppers, and there was no doubt about the models from Mercedes-Benz. Just about every one of them reeked “class” and the new GT S from AMG was my favorite. Even in that sickly yellow color it attracted attention.
The Mercedes-AMG GT S is the second sports car developed entirely in-house by Mercedes-AMG to combine driving dynamics and first-class racetrack performance with superb everyday practicality and efficiency.
Star of the Show.
The GT S has LED High Performance headlamps, 19 inch (front) and 20 inch (rear) AMG 10-spoke Titanium Grey light-alloy wheels, extendable rear aerofoil, electric panoramic sliding glass sunroof, long bonnet with pronounced powerdomes, broad tail end with dramatic tapered effect, narrow window line with frameless side windows and arched roof line.
The body of the Mercedes-AMG GT S is an aluminium spaceframe combined with steel and magnesium, which contributes to the car’s low kerb weight of 1,890 kilograms.
The front/mid-engine configuration makes for weight distribution of 47:53 percent, which translates into extremely agile handling. Additionally, integration of the dry sump lubrication used in race cars also ensures the oil supply, even with high lateral forces.
The power is supplied by a V8 biturbo engine with a displacement of 3,982 cc that develops 510 bhp at 6,250 rpm and 650 Nm of torque between 1,750 to 4,750 rpm.
“Cheapie” Benz
Transmission is through a DCT 7 speed sports transmission, and the car sprints from a standstill to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 310 km/h. In every way, this is a true ‘Supercar’.
Fuel consumption (as if that is important in this class of car) is averaged at 10.4 – 10.6 km/l. In addition, it has already met the stringent Euro 6 fuel efficiency and emission standards, but honestly – who cares?
A highlight technology feature in the Mercedes-AMG GT S is the AMG ride control sports suspension that lets the driver adjust the damping characteristics in three selectable modes: Comfort, Sport and Sport+. Other electronic features include Adaptive Brake with Hold and Hill-Start Assist functions, Attention Assist, ESP, cruise control and Speedtronic.
And the most important feature is the price. You can put one in your garage for 14,900,000 THB, and whilst that is out of the reach of most of us, it certainly is great value for money in the Supercar class.
Busty Pretties
The other Mercedes-Benz model that impressed me was the “cheapie”, the C 200 Avantgarde at 2,590,000 baht. With a 1.9 liter engine delivering 184 BHP and 300 Nm of torque coming in at 1,200 RPM, giving a zero to 100 km/h of 7.3 seconds, it is no slouch either. It has all the electronic functions that you could need, including Hill start assist, ESP, Adaptive brakes, Brake assist, LED headlights, speed-sensitive power steering and more, this is a car that those thinking about the top line Toyota or Honda should consider, as the domestic brands are climbing near the two million mark. And I know which brand has the greater cachet.
And for all those readers who are more interested in “pretties” rather than cars, above left are the most bustiferous (450 cc implants).
