The interchanges and carriageways leading east out of downtown Kingston is a far cry from Germany’s Nordschleife, a track so demanding that former three-time world racing champion Jackie
Stewart dubbed it “The Green Hell.” However, with a typical early afternoon shower pelting and the wavy expanse of the Kingston harbour to one side, it made for as fitting a platform as any to get a brief introduction to the Mercedes AMG GT-R, courtesy of Stewart’s Automotive Group and Silver Star.
Decked in an iridescent lime green that would undoubtedly be visible even in a night fog, the “Green Beast” cut a magnetic figure whilst zooming out toward Rockford, drawing stares like the proverbial flame draws moths. However, dismissing the GT-R as merely the latest in a long line of attention-grabbing fast cars would be a mistake.
Is it fast? Of course, it is. The streamlined aggression in its styling betrays speed, and further suggestion comes from the sound. On startup, one is enveloped by a growl that doesn’t simply intimidate, it subdues. On the road, the 577 bhp engine – built, in the AMG philosophy of “one man, one engine” – delivers 700 Newton/metres of torque and rushes from 0-100 km per hour (62mph) in a breathtaking 3.5 seconds. That’s the kind of rush that can make you involuntarily do Ding Dong’s “Shoulder Fling” move in reverse as g-forces pin you suddenly to the back of the (very comfortable) racing seat.
Let it be known this “Green Beast” has a “smooth” side. The initial jerk aside, the car’s transitions are a silky contrast to the exterior menace, and the interior is a lot more roomy and quiet than one might expect from a two-seat supercar with an actual roll cage. Thanks to the judicious dual use of carbon fibre and aluminium throughout, this“beast” has enough agility to balance out that power.
While the GT-R retains the key mechanical differences the GT-C gains over the GT-S, it also gains manually adjustable coilover springs (in conjunction with the AMG Ride Control suspension of its lesser siblings), an active underbody fairing, a manually adjustable rear spoiler, and a 9-mode AMG Traction Control system. Going beyond the “sport” mode of many high-performance coupes, there is a “Race” mode which then allows for more detailed adjustments in traction and other control points and for the “drift-ready” driver to dial in the desired amount of glide.
Make no mistake, this is a high-performance automobile – neophyte ‘speed junkies’ and the otherwise irresponsible need not apply. But if ever there was one supercar capable of doubling as a daily driver, the ‘Green Beast’ from the ‘Green Hell’ is one such that the most demanding and discerning drivers may well want to make friends with.
To Read More: Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #8 May-June 2018
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The interchanges and carriageways leading east out of downtown Kingston is a far cry from Germany’s Nordschleife, a track so demanding that former three-time world racing champion Jackie
Stewart dubbed it “The Green Hell.” However, with a typical early afternoon shower pelting and the wavy expanse of the Kingston harbour to one side, it made for as fitting a platform as any to get a brief introduction to the Mercedes AMG GT-R, courtesy of Stewart’s Automotive Group and Silver Star.
Decked in an iridescent lime green that would undoubtedly be visible even in a night fog, the “Green Beast” cut a magnetic figure whilst zooming out toward Rockford, drawing stares like the proverbial flame draws moths. However, dismissing the GT-R as merely the latest in a long line of attention-grabbing fast cars would be a mistake.
Is it fast? Of course, it is. The streamlined aggression in its styling betrays speed, and further suggestion comes from the sound. On startup, one is enveloped by a growl that doesn’t simply intimidate, it subdues. On the road, the 577 bhp engine – built, in the AMG philosophy of “one man, one engine” – delivers 700 Newton/metres of torque and rushes from 0-100 km per hour (62mph) in a breathtaking 3.5 seconds. That’s the kind of rush that can make you involuntarily do Ding Dong’s “Shoulder Fling” move in reverse as g-forces pin you suddenly to the back of the (very comfortable) racing seat.
Let it be known this “Green Beast” has a “smooth” side. The initial jerk aside, the car’s transitions are a silky contrast to the exterior menace, and the interior is a lot more roomy and quiet than one might expect from a two-seat supercar with an actual roll cage. Thanks to the judicious dual use of carbon fibre and aluminium throughout, this“beast” has enough agility to balance out that power.
While the GT-R retains the key mechanical differences the GT-C gains over the GT-S, it also gains manually adjustable coilover springs (in conjunction with the AMG Ride Control suspension of its lesser siblings), an active underbody fairing, a manually adjustable rear spoiler, and a 9-mode AMG Traction Control system. Going beyond the “sport” mode of many high-performance coupes, there is a “Race” mode which then allows for more detailed adjustments in traction and other control points and for the “drift-ready” driver to dial in the desired amount of glide.
Make no mistake, this is a high-performance automobile – neophyte ‘speed junkies’ and the otherwise irresponsible need not apply. But if ever there was one supercar capable of doubling as a daily driver, the ‘Green Beast’ from the ‘Green Hell’ is one such that the most demanding and discerning drivers may well want to make friends with.
To Read More: Purchase your copy of Volume 9 #8 May-June 2018
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