New AMG variants for Mercedes-Benz

October 2001

While Mercedes-Benz's conservative approach have often made them the laughing stock of the Beemer brigade in the performance stakes, the company has preferred to stick to it's guns citing safety, reliability and ease of use as their key design philosophy when powering their cars. 

But nobody likes to put up with snide remarks for too long, so the company chose to take up the gauntlet by assigning the job of beating the Beemers to a separate division that would badge the cars differently, while not upsetting the decorum among the ranks of MB's standard range. The performance variants wear the AMG badge, and DaimlerChrysler SA have added four of these new models to the local Mercedes-Benz passenger car line-up. These models – the C32 AMG, SLK32 AMG, ML55 AMG and S55 AMG – will be the flagship models of their respective ranges, and deservedly, the Benz boys will be a little smug.

The C32 AMG – M3 Challenger with four doors

Based on the C320, the 260 kW C32 AMG is equipped with a compressor-type supercharger driving Merc’s 3,2-litre V6 powerplant to deliver  a whopping 450 Nm of maximum torque – in the process outclassing every other series production car in this segment. The C32 will be built alongside other Merc C-Class variants at the company’s manufacturing plant in East London. The C32 AMG accelerates to 100 km/h in just 5,2 seconds and has a maximum speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited), all the while consuming a mere 11,5 litres/100 km – and demonstrating that it is possible to reconcile sporty performance with environmental responsibility. 

In keeping with Mercedes-Benz thorough approach to design and development, the engine modifications went way beyond simply bolting a blower onto the block.  Substantial revisions were made  These included a new crankshaft with bearings adapted to the high torque, new connecting rods, pistons of highly temperature-resistant material, a new balancer shaft suited to the dynamic nature of the engine, lightweight "assembled" camshafts, harder valve springs to increase the rated engine speed and handle the resulting valve forces, and a new oil pump with a higher throughput for a reliable oil supply to the oil nozzles.  Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a unique, newly developed five-speed automatic transmission. This transmission can also be shifted manually by a one-touch system (+/-) as an alternative and is deliberately adjusted to suit the sporty character of the C32 AMG.

Outstanding innovative features of the SPEEDSHIFT configuration are ABD (Active Braking Downshift) and an Optimum Gear Function. Under braking, certain deceleration levels will cause the transmission to automatically execute a downshift – useful before taking a bend in brisk fashion, for example. Certain levels of lateral acceleration on the other hand will cause the transmission to hold the same gear through the entire bend, conveying a sense of active and safe driving, by maintaining direct contact with what is actually happening on the road. The vehicle responds to the throttle perfectly at all times, as with a manual transmission. Overtaking is also made easier by automatically selecting the gear that ensures the best acceleration according to the speed and pre-stored characteristic engine data when the shift lever is moved to the left and briefly held in that position.    

A lighter torque converter with a lower inertia reduces torque converter slip above first gear by means of a mechanical lockup clutch.  This means that the V6 engine responds immediately and directly to the accelerator in any driving situation. A sporty shift programme allows up to 35 per cent more rapid gearshift response compared with the standard transmission.   

The completely retuned chassis ensures sporty handling with a high level of comfort 17-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with 225/45 R 17 tyres at the front and 245/40 R 17 rubber at the rear.  assist in marinating perfect road contact. 

On the safety side, upgraded brakes and ABS, ESP®, ASR and the BAS (Brake Assist system) keep things in check. According to Mercedes-Benz, the C32 AMG has the shortest stopping distance in its class, achieving 100 – 0 km/h in less than 36 metres. Distinct styling features outside include a front apron with integral fog lights, special side-skirt panels and a muscular rear apron rounded off by a characteristic AMG "dual oval" chrome tailpipe, which also produces an unmistakably sporty engine sound.     

The interior is differentiated from the standard model by the characteristic 300 km/h AMG instrument cluster, ergonomically optimised AMG sports steering wheel in leather and AMG sports seats, upholstered in exclusive nappa leather. While the C32 AMG comes comprehensively equipped, options include Parktronic, rear side airbags, electric sunroof and pre-installed Nokia mobile phone kit.

The SLK32 AMG – Now with the go to match the show

5,2 seconds and an electronically governed maximum speed of 250 km/h. 

In the SLK32 AMG, power to the wheels is supplied through the familiar 5-speed automatic transmission with touch-shift.  The shift characteristics of the transmission have been carefully configured to suit the extremely sporty character of the new AMG models.  As with the C32 AMG, the SLK32 AMG features the designated “AMG SPEEDSHIFT”.  This new transmission configuration combines the advantages of a five-speed automatic transmission with the dynamism of a manual transmission.   

Complex measures to make the suspension more sporty, include a new spring/damper configuration, a wider rear track width and a larger torsion bar on the front axle.  Rear axle lift is reduced by 50% by means of special front and rear aprons, side skirts and an elegantly integrated airflow breakaway edge on the boot lid. Inside, both sports seats and door panels are trimmed with black leather as standard, the same material that is to be found on the AMG steering wheel and gear knob. Similarly attractive is the trim on the centre console in high-quality, dark birds-eye maple.  The individually designed instrument faces, including a speedometer that shows speeds of up to 300 km/h - in the case of the SLK32 AMG in silver - are also typical of Mercedes AMG. For the first time the speed is shown in steps of 30 km/h. 

Generous standard appointments of the SLK32 AMG include the revolutionary but by now well known electrically operated Vario roof, heated seats and a number of high-tech features, including the navigation system with Audio 30 radio and CD player.  The SLK32 AMG is further enhanced with a car phone, Bose sound system, electric seat adjustment and xenon headlamps. Typical Mercedes occupant safety is ensured by full-size airbags for the driver and front passenger, high-performance belt tensioners, belt force limiters, sidebags and roll-over bars.

The ML55 AMG – Road rocket with hiking boots   

The ML55 AMG is the flagship of the successful Mercedes-Benz M-class range. With a 255 kW V8 AMG power plant, high-grade specification and attractive body styling elements, this sport utility vehicle stands out even further from its rivals and defines a new high-end segment within this vehicle category. 

The 5,5 litre eight-cylinder engine develops 255 kW and a remarkable 510 Nm of maximum torque, most of it available from around 2 800 r/min. The ML55 AMG can sprint from 0 - 100 km/h in 6,8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 235 km/h. According to Mercedes-Benz, these figures confirm its position as the fastest 4x4 ever engineered.

Significant design traits include two “power domes” on the bonnet that symbolises sportiness and dynamism. In the side view, the painted extended wheelarches and the side mouldings also allude to the ML’s power.

 The very plush interior features sports seats are trimmed in the buffalo leather, dark burl walnut woodwork, soft carpets made from top-quality velours, an ergonomic AMG wood-and-leather sports steering wheel, leather-trimmed armrest between the front seats, and chrome rings round the cockpit instruments and the controls of the standard-fitted air conditioning system and light-coloured dials.  

Other standard equipment includes bi-xenon headlamps with cleaning system, power-adjustable front sports seats with memory function, electric tilting-sliding glass sunroof, sidebags for the front and rear passengers and power flip-open side windows in the rear.  The COMAND system which includes the operation of navigation, radio, CD player and the Bose sound system, is yet another standard feature. Options include a towbar with removable ball neck and DVD/video player with ceiling mounted, screen for rear passengers.

The S55 AMG – Tar stripping limo

The S55 AMG caters for those seeking a premium luxury, yet sporty saloon. The main difference between the S55 AMG and the S500 is its more powerful 265 kW engine, which delivers 530 Nm of torque and performance normally only found in top-flight sports cars, enough in fact to propel this large and heavy car from 0 to 100 km/h in 6 seconds flat. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h. 

To increase power, the engine’s crankshaft drive was redesigned, forged aluminium pistons used and specially developed used oil injection jets used to cool the pistons.  A new-style twin-stream intake system, special camshafts and a precisely tuned intake manifold ensure the correct filling of the cylinders and provide the technical wherewithal for the eight-cylinder’s exemplary torque characteristics.

A new exhaust system with an enlarged pipe diameter and modified silencers serves to keep down both noise levels and the exhaust back pressure.  Two thin-wall ceramic catalytic converters positioned near the engine bulkhead and two under floor catalytic converters act together with the engine management, tried and tested in countless series of tests, to ensure effective emission controls.  The S55 AMG thus meets the challenge of all currently valid emission limits throughout the world, as well as having the technical potential to meet future emissions regulations such as the rigorous EU3/D4 emissions standard which will not become applicable in Germany until 2005. The external appearance of the S55 AMG is specially styled to emphasize the sporty character of the car. The special AMG styling package includes restyled front and rear aprons with special side skirts and the striking AMG rear silencer. 

The standard-fitted Active Body Control (ABC) suspension provides unprecedented standards of ride comfort and is more than a match for the high performance of the S55 AMG. ABC is equipped with an all-round self-levelling system with 2-stage level raising by pushbutton (24 mm and 49 mm), and a speed-dependent level adjustment system that slowly lowers the vehicle from the normal position at speeds of 60 km/h and over, until about 140 km/h, the vehicle level is 15 mm lower than normal.  ABC reduces body roll and combines sporty driving dynamics with optimal comfort.

The interior trim is as luxurious and fully equipped as the S-class. The only AMG-specific feature here is the speedometer, with a scale registering up to 320 km/h.

 All Mercedes-AMG vehicles benefit from a six year maintenance contract with staggered customer contribution, one year warranty and free 24-hour touring guarantee.

AMG – what is it about?  

The three letters AMG have long stood for outstanding, top-class technology, dynamism and exquisite luxury.  The company has been a partner of DaimlerChrylser’s Mercedes-Benz passenger car division, both of whom who have shared considerable motor-sport success over the years. More than that, AMG is uniquely geared to respond in a very flexible way to the specific requirements of Mercedes customers.

 The founders of AMG were Hans Werner Aufrect and Erhard Melcher, who started their company in Grossaspach, Germany. It’s official title were “Engineering office for the Design and Testing of Racing Engines”, but the company’s expertise and experience has for many years been a byword for top-quality, high-performance and sporty designed vehicles.

 According to a DaimlerChrysler release, Mercedes-AMG customers will find that their particular AMG of choice meets all the strict quality standards of Mercedes-Benz while taking the basic Mercedes-Benz values of comfort, safety, value retention and environmental compatibility into account. This particular branch of the Mercedes-Benz division is gaining popularity, so much so that 2000 has been the division’s most successful year to date: more than 11 500 sporty AMG cars were sold during 2000, not just a new record in the more than 30-year history of the company, but also more than double the sales result for the previous year. The turnover grew to almost 600 million DM, an increase of more than 50 percent over 1999.

 The most successful AMG models in 2000 were the ML55 AMG, with more than 4500 units sold.  The S55 AMG and the CL55 AMG together accounted for almost 2000 units sold.   The latest additions to the stable - the C32 AMG and SLK32 AMG – are set to continue this success story.  Some 3500 units of the Saloon and Estate are planned per year, together with 2000 units of the SLK32 AMG.

 Mercedes-AMG is unique, high-performance cars that have been an international success since introduction in 1984.  Since January 1999, DaimlerChrysler AG has held a 51 per cent stake in Mercedes-AMG GmbH. It has been agreed that by the end of 2008, DaimlerChrysler will take over the remaining shares. The phased takeover of this vehicle tuning company will secure for DaimlerChrysler the expertise, experience and manpower of a partner whose name has for many years been a byword for top-quality, high-performance vehicles and particularly sporty design.

 At the operational level, the co-operation between DaimlerChrysler and Mercedes-AMG GmbH has also been affected by the changed shareholding structure. Affalterbach is responsible, in consultation with Stuttgart, for the development of high-performance and luxury vehicles, and for sporty design. Mercedes-AMG is involved in the development of new model ranges right from the start – from the drawing up of the specifications book through to full-scale production. This ensures that the sporting ambitions of Mercedes-AMG drivers are taken into account in the design of the basic vehicle and that the customary high Mercedes quality standards are fulfilled at all times.