AMG, or Aufrecht, Melcher and Großaspach, is a very well-known, highly regarded tuner-cum-manufacturer that makes Mercedes-Benz cars all they can be.
All-out performance has been AMG’s calling card since its inception in 1967. Although that is not about to change, AMG will be shifting a small part of its focus away from mighty V12 and V8 engines. This is part of AMG’s plan to bring driving performance to the new generation.
Currently, there are 22 AMG models, from the C 63 all the way to the new SLS AMG. It would seem as though this is not enough to satisfy customers as they keep asking for more. In the first quarter of 2012 alone, sales are up 30%. Last year, 20,000 AMG-fied cars were sold, and this is but the good news.
The great news is that AMG plans to grow, and will do so thanks to its “AMG Performance 50” plan. The steps in this strategy are quite simple: more cars, more versions, more performance and more affordability by the time the company turns 50 years old.
By 2017, AMG expects to have 30 models bearing their letters, which should be good enough to increase the number of deliveries to 30,000 units, or a 50% jump.
Among the new cars to come are the recently unveiled 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT, the CLS Shooting Brake and the very cool A 45 AMG, which I got to see. Other new versions of existing cars should include a new baller S-Class, a new G-Class and a few more. As well, AWD is being considered in many future applications, which should further heighten the appeal of these cars.
Products are always the key to success, and the new A 45 will be the first to strike a serious chord with a younger crowd. Based on the all-new upcoming A-Class, which will come to Canada, the compact five-door, all-wheel-drive, 2.0L turbo car got my juices flowing. Although my eyes got to see it, cameras and phones did not.
To get an idea of what the A 45 looks like, picture a new A-Class and give it the Subaru STI treatment. That means a lower ride height, fatter flares, bigger wheels, more aggressive body panels and whopping big rear spoiler. Under the bonnet will reside an AMG designed turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder. No official specs have been released as of yet, other than torque numbers being significantly above 400 Nm or 295 lb-ft. I’m going to predict 325 hp with equal torque.
As it stands, the A 45 and the CLS Shooting Brake are not expected to come to Canada and North America. Pity.
To go along with the actual cars, AMG has added a Performance Studio where customers can have all their wildest color/material combinations come to life. The current Driving Academy will continue to grow in a number of countries as will the availabilities of AMG Sport Packages for Mercedes cars.
Furthermore and in parallel, AMG will strive to offer best-in-class fuel consumption numbers and lower emissions without sacrificing power, and participate in more motorsport disciplines including Formula 1.
This aggressive growth plan will involve a number of standalone AMG stores of which Beijing currently has the first one in the world.
What I saw in Affalterbach, Germany, was plain and simple: a company in complete control of its future. There is no doubt in my mind that they will achieve everything they put their minds to. In fact, I believe that, barring a complete meltdown of the world economy, they will surpass their goals.
All-out performance has been AMG’s calling card since its inception in 1967. Although that is not about to change, AMG will be shifting a small part of its focus away from mighty V12 and V8 engines. This is part of AMG’s plan to bring driving performance to the new generation.
Currently, there are 22 AMG models, from the C 63 all the way to the new SLS AMG. It would seem as though this is not enough to satisfy customers as they keep asking for more. In the first quarter of 2012 alone, sales are up 30%. Last year, 20,000 AMG-fied cars were sold, and this is but the good news.
The great news is that AMG plans to grow, and will do so thanks to its “AMG Performance 50” plan. The steps in this strategy are quite simple: more cars, more versions, more performance and more affordability by the time the company turns 50 years old.
By 2017, AMG expects to have 30 models bearing their letters, which should be good enough to increase the number of deliveries to 30,000 units, or a 50% jump.
Among the new cars to come are the recently unveiled 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT, the CLS Shooting Brake and the very cool A 45 AMG, which I got to see. Other new versions of existing cars should include a new baller S-Class, a new G-Class and a few more. As well, AWD is being considered in many future applications, which should further heighten the appeal of these cars.
 |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT (Photo: Mercedes-Benz) |
Products are always the key to success, and the new A 45 will be the first to strike a serious chord with a younger crowd. Based on the all-new upcoming A-Class, which will come to Canada, the compact five-door, all-wheel-drive, 2.0L turbo car got my juices flowing. Although my eyes got to see it, cameras and phones did not.
To get an idea of what the A 45 looks like, picture a new A-Class and give it the Subaru STI treatment. That means a lower ride height, fatter flares, bigger wheels, more aggressive body panels and whopping big rear spoiler. Under the bonnet will reside an AMG designed turbocharged 2.0L 4-cylinder. No official specs have been released as of yet, other than torque numbers being significantly above 400 Nm or 295 lb-ft. I’m going to predict 325 hp with equal torque.
As it stands, the A 45 and the CLS Shooting Brake are not expected to come to Canada and North America. Pity.
To go along with the actual cars, AMG has added a Performance Studio where customers can have all their wildest color/material combinations come to life. The current Driving Academy will continue to grow in a number of countries as will the availabilities of AMG Sport Packages for Mercedes cars.
Furthermore and in parallel, AMG will strive to offer best-in-class fuel consumption numbers and lower emissions without sacrificing power, and participate in more motorsport disciplines including Formula 1.
This aggressive growth plan will involve a number of standalone AMG stores of which Beijing currently has the first one in the world.
What I saw in Affalterbach, Germany, was plain and simple: a company in complete control of its future. There is no doubt in my mind that they will achieve everything they put their minds to. In fact, I believe that, barring a complete meltdown of the world economy, they will surpass their goals.