Mercedes-AMG GT R Roadster 2020 revealed: fire-breathing coupe loses its head

The fire-breathing, petrol-chewing AMG GT R Coupe will be offered as a limited-run convertible, with Benz today unveiling a Roadster version of one of its angriest AMGs.

Only 750 units will be released globally, but Mercedes in Australia - one of the biggest per-capita AMG markets in the world - says none are earmarked for our shores "at this stage".

The AMG GT R Roadster shares its bi-turbo V8 with its hardtop sibling, which means a considerable 430kW and 700Nm is at the mercy of a driver's right foot.

Predictably, those numbers translate into some fairly snappy acceleration times, with the drop-top GT R able to dispatch the run to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds (the same as the Coupe), and it will push on to a flying top speed of 317km/h.

"The new AMG GT R Roadster is far more than the combination of the thrilling vehicle dynamics of the GT R with the special flair of our GT Roadsters. It is the essence of two worlds, blending to deliver our brand pledge, Driving Performance, in a very special way," says AMG boss Tobias Moers.

"With our GT R Roadster we have without doubt once again developed a brand-defining sports car."

That folding fabric roof is a three-layer design wrapped over a lightweight architecture constructed of aluminium, magnesium and steel, helping keep the DIN weight to 1635kg.

There's plenty of standard performance kit on offer here, too, including an electronic limited-slip differential, active (speed-sensitive) rear-wheel steering, AMG-stamped suspension with adaptive damping, a booming sports exhaust and a six-strong list of AMG drive settings (Comfort, Sport and Sport+, which then link with Advanced, Pro, and Master traction-control settings).

Also very clever is AMG's active aero technology, including a hidden carbon-fibre element in the underbody of the engine, which will drop down 40mmm depending on the how and how fast the car is being driven. Fully extended, the panel will add 40kg of front-axle downforce at 250km/h.

To roof or not to roof, that is the question. Tell us what you think in the comments below.