AMG Sports Package E-Class

AMG Sports Package E-Class

AMG Sports Package E-Class

Source: Brabusworld

The new CLK 63 AMG Black Series is based on the Official F1 Safety Car, the high-performance AMG vehicle that has been providing Formula One safety since 2006. The coupe, optimized for the racing circuit, is powered by an AMG 6.3-liter V8 with its performance boosted to 500 bhp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Top-rank handling is assured by the sophisticated AMG threaded suspension with 19-inch AMG forged wheels, new steering and the generously dimensioned AMG high-performance brake system with its composite disks.


Source: CLK 63 AMG

CLK 63 AMG

CLK 63 AMG

CLK 63 AMG

CLK 63 AMG

Enjoy the open air in truly sporty style with the CLK 63 AMG Cabriolet. Its naturally aspirated V8 engine delivers a substantial 481hp, enabling breathtaking performance, while the dynamic AMG body styling and 18-inch AMG 5-spoke wheels contribute to its eye-catching looks. The interior features AMG sports seats in luxurious Nappa leather, and a special AMG instrument cluster featuring RACETIMER, giving you access to race driving relevant information such as lap times, attained top speed, average speed and distance travelled. From the AMG sports exhaust system with its twin chromed tailpipe, to the AMG sports suspension and high-performance brake system, the CLK 63 AMG Cabriolet is a seductive car.

Mercedes-AMG is the high performance division of the Mercedes-Benz car company. Mercedes-Benz acquired majority interest in AMG in 1998.
AMG or Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach was founded in 1967 as AMG Motorenbau und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (AMG Engine Production and Development, Ltd.) by former Mercedes engineers Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher in a town near Stuttgart called Großaspach."AMG" is an abbreviation that stands for: Hans Werner Aufrecht (A) and Eberhard Melcher (M) who were partners, while Aufrecht’s birthplace of Großaspach (G) supplied the third letter in the company name.

And for this particular W221 'supercar' ... The S 63 AMG and the S 600 makes the same sprint in about 4.6 seconds. The twin-turbo V12 in the S 65 AMG is also found in Mercedes roadster SL 65 AMG.

The new CLK 63 AMG Black Series is based on the Official F1 Safety Car, the high-performance AMG vehicle that has been providing Formula One safety since 2006. The coupe, optimized for the racing circuit, is powered by an AMG 6.3-liter V8 with its performance boosted to 373 kW/507 hp and 630 Newton meters of torque.

Top-rank handling is assured by the sophisticated AMG threaded suspension with 19-inch AMG forged wheels, new steering and the generously dimensioned AMG high-performance brake system with its composite disks. Visually, too, the CLK 63 AMG Black Series clearly shows its descent from the Official F1 Safety Car: its striking front apron with large cooling intakes, flared wheel arches, diffusor-type rear apron and carbon-fiber airflow breakaway edge, all demonstrate the car’s sporting pedigree.

The new CLK 63 AMG Black Series is technically and visually oriented towards the Official F1 Safety Car and thus addresses all sports-car enthusiasts who value high competitiveness. An output upgraded by 19 kW/26 hp accelerates the CLK 63 AMG Black Series from zero to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds thus 0.3 seconds faster than the standard model with 354 kW/481 hp. The top speed (electronically limited) is 300 km/h.


Mercedes-AMG engineers achieved the increase in power to 373 kW/507 hp by completely redesigning the intake and exhaust systems. The high-revving, naturally-aspirated AMG engine, with its 6208 cc displacement, gets its fresh air via larger-dimensioned intake ducts. The new AMG sports exhaust system with full-length twin pipes stands out with its unmistakable, pleasant AMG V8 sound. Together with a newly calibrated engine control unit, these measures ensure not only efficient load change behavior, but also let this eight-cylinder unit respond to the accelerator with even greater alacrity.

Power is transmitted through the AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC. Compared to the standard CLK 63 AMG, the rear-axle ratio of the special series has been made about six percent shorter to confer even more agility in acceleration in all speed ranges. For maximum sporting dynamics, the transmission has only the “M” and “S” driving programs; the comfort-oriented “C” is deleted. The driver can switch between the seven gears by using the AMG aluminum shift paddles on the steering wheel, while an indicator in the instrument cluster shows the gear selected at any given time.



The visual appearance of the CLK 63 AMG Black Series shows it’s racing inspiration. The redesigned front end is descended 1:1 from the Official F1 Safety Car, and its generously dimensioned cooling-air intakes hint at the sophisticated cooling measures.

The cooling measures are complemented by optimized air ducts with lateral openings in real carbon in front of the front wheels. The front fenders are made of high-strength and yet lightweight carbon-fiber composite material. On their flank, a “6.3 AMG” badge hints at the exceptional power of the naturally-aspirated V8. Redesigned side skirts extend to the broad rear fenders, which are in turn connected by a newly developed rear apron.



The components taken over from the Official F1™ Safety Car include not only the carbon diffusor fins and the integrated chromed dual tailpipes of the AMG sports exhaust system, but also a cooler for the heavily stressed rear axle. The separate oil cooler has an active extraction-type fan, which is particularly effective in suppressing temperature peaks. On the trunk lid, a new airflow breakaway edge, also made of carbon, is responsible for reducing lift forces on the rear axle.

Like its counterpart in the Formula One World Championship, the CLK 63 AMG Black Series also has a newly developed and quite special AMG sports suspension. The adjustable threaded suspension guarantees optimum road contact and maximum precision. For competitive driving, the driver can create his personal suspension setup: not only the level, but also the compression and rebound stages of the shock absorbers, front-axle track and camber, and rear-axle track are adjustable.

The wheel and tire combination used forms a perfect partner for the AMG threaded sports suspension. Pirelli P Zero Corsa sports tires in size 265/30 R 19 (front) and 285/30 R 19 (rear) permit exceptional grip and amazing cornering speeds with outstanding characteristics in the wet.

Looking through the tracery of the AMG forged wheels, you can catch a glimpse of the ventilated and perforated disk brakes. The front axle has larger 360 x 36 mm brake disks which were tested in racing. Their rear-axle counterparts’ measure 330 x 26 mm.



The transfer of technology from motor sport, a Mercedes-AMG tradition fostered over decades, is equally evident in the interior of the CLK 63 AMG Black Series. This dedicated two-seater sports touring car not only dispenses with rear seats, but with its bucket-type seats, rich carbon trim and black headliner, displays the functional atmosphere of a true racing car and thus documents 40 years of Mercedes-AMG motor sport history. Carbon trim on the center console and on the inner door cladding, also with stamped AMG logos, aluminum door handles and anodized black trim strips, brings a feeling of quality to the interior. On the center console, the specially shaped selector lever and the new, matt-finish start/stop switch add further highlights.

Despite its race worthy handling, the CLK 63 AMG Black Series retains those typical qualities that distinguish a true Mercedes-Benz: everyday practicality, longevity, safety and quality. Following in the path of the SLK 55 AMG Black Series, the new CLK 63 AMG Black Series was developed in the AMG PERFORMANCE STUDIO opened in 2006. The first units of the unlimited AMG special series will be delivered to customers starting in June.

Mercedes-Benz C Class AMG | C63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz C Class AMG | C63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz C Class AMG | C63 AMG

PRESS RELEASE:

MERCEDES-BENZ C63 AMG MAKES US DEBUT AT L.A. SHOW
2008 MY C63 AMG Sedan Features 451-Horsepower AMG V8 Engine

LOS ANGELES – The high-performance Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG is making its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show, open to the public November 16-23, 2007 at the L.A. Convention Center. Following the widely acclaimed launch of the new-generation 2008 C-Class sedan earlier this year, the V8-powered C63 AMG represents an impressive top-of-the-line addition to the popular C-Class model family.

The New C63 AMG – Visually and Technologically Distinctive
Making its U.S showroom debut in April 2008, the 2008MY C63 AMG is distinguished by unique AMG body styling, 18-inch alloy wheels, sport suspension and high-performance brake system – all designed by AMG specifically for this new model. The C63 AMG can be easily identified by a special front hood with two power domes and a muscular front apron with large air intakes and side air outlets as well as fog lights ringed in chrome. A "6.3 AMG" badge marks each front fender, and contoured side sill skirts carry the aggressive lines of the front end to the rear, while an AMG rear apron with a black air diffuser insert and three pronounced diffuser fins help enhance aerodynamic performance at high speeds. An AMG lip spoiler on the trunk lid and a pair of twin tailpipes completes the exclusive look and sound of this special model.

Inside the C63 AMG, drivers are greeted by newly developed AMG leather sport seats with integral head restraints finished in a special cross piping and an AMG three-spoke sport steering wheel with distinctive aluminum shift paddles. The unique "tubular" AMG instrument cluster was developed specifically for the C63 AMG with redesigned analog gauges and red needles.

An AMG menu in the central display includes special "Warmup," "Setup," and "Race" modes that can be viewed via the multi-function buttons on the steering wheel. "Warmup" displays engine oil and coolant temperatures, while "Setup" shows the current ESP and transmission shift modes, and for owners who enjoy adjusting their vehicles to even higher limits, "Race" activates a timer that allows the driver to measure lap times.

The First Engine Developed from the Ground Up by AMG
The C63 AMG is powered by the first engine developed entirely by AMG – a 6.3-liter V8 that produces 451 horsepower and 443 lb.-ft. of torque for breathtaking acceleration times of 4.3 seconds from zero to 60 mph.
Built almost completely from a high-strength silicon-aluminum alloy, the AMG 6.3-liter features four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, bucket tappets (rather than rocker arms) and a variable intake manifold. The cylinder bores feature a twin-wire-arc-sprayed (TWAS) coating, a new process that results in impressively low friction and running surfaces that are twice as hard as conventional cast-iron cylinders.

AMG engineers designed the 6.3-liter engine block with an especially rigid bedplate acting as the overall support of the main bearings, cast-in steel reinforcements and a sturdy closed-deck layout in the cylinder head area. The high-flow intake and exhaust ports form a vertical straight line, helping the 6.3 AMG engine rev freely to over 7,000 rpm, yet the highly flexible AMG engine still produces nearly 90 percent of its peak torque at only 2,000 rpm.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels of the new C63 AMG via a seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission that can be shifted manually by either a conventional lever or Formula-1 style shift paddles on the AMG sport steering wheel. To give performance-minded drivers total control of shifting, the manual mode of AMG Speedshift doesn't intervene to cause any automatic upshifts – even at max engine speed – or automatic downshifts, even under full load. AMG Speedshift electronic control provides 35% faster gear shifts and torque converter lockup from 1st gear.

The new C63 AMG is the very first AMG car with an automatic "throttle-blipping" feature during downshifts. This virtually jolt-free downshifting process reduces load-change handling response, and for motorsports-minded drivers, improves braking in advance of turn-in.

A Razor-Sharp Chassis
The C63 AMG is also the first AMG model with a three-stage ESP system. In addition to its normal "ESP ON" operation, the ESP button on the center console has an "ESP SPORT" mode as well as "ESP OFF." The ESP Sport mode allows for more aggressive driving with higher drift angles, which can make sporty driving more fun, not to mention more helpful on the race track.

Mechanically, the C63 AMG chassis features a redesigned front suspension including stiffer shocks and springs all around, with special rebound buffer springs in the front shocks, as well as new bearings, a stiffer stabilizer bar and 1.4-inch wider track. Its speed-sensitive rack-and pinion steering feels even faster than its 13.6:1 ratio, thanks to a modified steering axis and a stiffer insulating disc in the steering column.
At the rear, the multi-link suspension has been re-engineered, plus track is a half inch wider with increased negative camber for improved cornering. To handle the increased power of the AMG V8, beefier halfshafts and driveshaft joints are installed.

Staggered-width 18-inch wheels (8.5 inches in front, 9.0 at the rear) make room for large AMG vented and perforated four-wheel disc brakes. Front discs measure 14.2 inches in diameter with six-piston fixed calipers, and ample 13-inch discs with four-piston fixed calipers are used at the rear.

AMG Performance Package Designed for the Race Track
For even crisper handling, the AMG performance package includes a limited-slip differential, stiffer suspension, composite (two-piece) perforated and ventilated front disc brakes and an AMG performance steering wheel wrapped in nappa leather. The AMG performance package was designed for owners who are serious about competing on the race track with their C63 AMG.

The New C-Class – A Handsome Family
The C63 AMG joins the new-generation C-Class line that's larger in almost every dimension than its highly successful predecessor, with a greater emphasis on agility, comfort and safety. With a nod to the recently introduced S-Class sedan, the look of the mid-size C-Class reveals the latest Mercedes design idiom that's characterized by an edgy interplay of taut lines and wide, rounded surfaces.

Power With a Sport or Luxury Personality
In addition to the high-performance C63 AMG, the C-Class line includes three V6-powered models – the C350 Sport, the C300 Luxury and the C300 Sport. In addition, the C300 Sport and Luxury models are available with an all-new 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system mated to the seven-speed automatic transmission.

Distinctive Sport Models
The AMG-inspired C-Class Sport models can be identified by the iconic three-pointed star in the front grille, a design cue usually reserved for its coupes and convertibles. The new C-Class Sport models features AMG body styling – deeper front and rear aprons as well as under-door rocker panels – and twin-spoke 17-inch wheels of staggered width. The car also comes with sport shocks, springs and stabilizer bars that provide a crisper ride and more than a half-inch lower ride height. Instead of the Luxury model's traditional four-spoke wheel and burl walnut trim, Sport models come with three-spoke steering wheels and either aluminum (C300) or black Birdseye maple (C350) interior trim.

Optional 4MATIC Four-Wheel Drive
As modern all-wheel-drive systems become even more refined, they are becoming increasingly popular, especially in the luxury car market. With negligible weight and fuel-efficiency tradeoffs, full-time four-wheel-drive systems provide year-round traction and stability benefits on both wet and dry roads.

The latest version of the Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system is optionally available on the new-generation C300 Sport and the C300 Luxury model. After making its debut on the new-generation
S-Class sedan, the new 4MATIC system features a totally redesigned full-time all-wheel-drive system that's integrated into the seven-speed automatic transmission. The new system fits right into the standard body and utilizes the existing front suspension – gone are the special suspension parts and wider transmission tunnel that were necessary on earlier 4MATIC systems.

The extra gears and shafts that drive the front wheels now weigh only 145 pounds more than the rear-wheel-drive model. Fuel efficiency has been improved, due to a number of innovative measures that minimize the energy needed to turn the extra hardware.

Electronic Controller Replaces Scores of Buttons
Similar to the popular system launched on the S-Class sedan, an electronic controller on the console works like a computer mouse to provide easy, quick operation of many functions that used to require scores of separate buttons and switches.

By turning and pressing the aluminum controller, menus and sub-menus on the center-console screen are displayed and selected for the audio system as well as the optional navigation system and integrated phone. The controller is also linked to the rocker switches on the multifunction steering wheel.

A Choice of Audio Systems
Standard equipment in the new C-Class is an eight-speaker, 100-watt Audio 20 system that includes a single-slot dash CD/MP3 player, telephone keypad, an MP3 plug in the glove box and a Bluetooth interface. Optionally available is a Multimedia Package which includes, a 450-watt harman/kardon LOGIC7 audio system featuring Dolby Digital/DTS 5.1 surround sound a 6-disc CD/DVD changer, voice control and COMAND navigation. The LOGIC7 system comes with 12 speakers, including two surround-sound speakers and a sub-woofer.

The C-Class includes a MusicRegister feature as part of the Multimedia package, which enables CD "ripping" (saving) to a four-gigabyte hard drive that can store up to 1,000 tracks from an audio CD. A Gracenote database automatically identifies each track with its title, artist, album name and other information. The audio system can also play tracks stored on a data CD, DVD or memory card.

No Need to Ask for Directions with COMAND Navigation
A five-inch color display nestled under a flip-up cover at the top of the center console is standard equipment on the new C-Class. When the car is equipped with the Multimedia package, a power-operated seven-inch display screen slides out and up when the flip-up cover is raised.
The navigation system uses a hard drive with map data covering all of North America. In addition to the high-resolution map display at the top of the center console, next-turn navigation instructions can also be shown in the instrument cluster central display.

Renowned Mercedes-Benz Safety
The 2008 C-Class comes with all the safety features that people have come to expect from Mercedes-Benz – from four-wheel independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes to six air bags, ABS anti-lock, traction control and ESP stability control. In addition, active front head restraints move forward nearly two inches and upward by about an inch in the event of a severe rear collision, helping to support the head and reduce the likelihood of whiplash injuries.

About AMG
AMG has been a subsidiary of Daimler since 1999 and is located near Stuttgart in Affalterbach, Germany. AMG employs about 600 specialists in development, production and administrative areas. AMG develops each of its models, from the engine and driveline to suspension, brakes, chassis and aerodynamics. Each engine is produced and tested at AMG's headquarters in Affalterbach, and AMG models are assembled at the main Mercedes-Benz vehicle manufacturing plants. Spanning all Mercedes-Benz model lines, approximately 10,000 AMG models were sold in the United States in 2006. With over 50 percent of AMG sales, the U.S. is the top market for AMG worldwide.

About Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2006, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 248,080 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving 13 consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at www.mbusa.com and www.maybachusa.com.

The 2008MY Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG is making its debut at the New York International Auto Show, open to the public April 6-15, 2007 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. The powerful version of the CL coupe powered by a twin-turbo AMG V12 engine is also special because it marks the 40th anniversary of AMG, the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz.
The limited-edition CL65 AMG celebrates 40 years of AMG high-performance cars with a 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine that produces 604 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque for zero-to-60-mph acceleration of just 4.2 seconds. The new CL65 AMG also features an AMG developed high-performance braking system that can bring the car to a stop from 60 mph in less than 116 feet!

Alubeam � Liquid Metal
The 40th Anniversary CL65 AMG is the first-ever production car finished in exclusive AMG Alubeam (Liquid Metal) paint. Stretched over the body like a metallic skin, AMG Alubeam paint shows off the compelling lines of the large coupe better than any conventional paint finish. Made possible by pigment particles that measure only 30 to 50 nanometers (conventional pigments are between 100 and 300 nanometers), AMG Alubeam reflects light more evenly and more intensely, and is protected by a clear coating with enhanced scratch resistance.


An AMG two-bar front grille, large under-bumper air intakes, air outlets on the front fenders and round fog lights dominate the front of the car. Distinctive skirts under the doors and V12 BI-TURBO lettering enhance the front fenders, while a muscular rear apron with a black air diffuser insert and twin V12-design tailpipes complete the eye-catching look of the limited-edition CL65 AMG.
Inside, the 40th Anniversary CL65 AMG comes with two-tone Nappa leather seats finished in diamond pattern stretching with embossed V12 logos in the front head restraints as well as a color-coordinated Alcantara headliner, complemented by genuine carbon fiber interior trim. Underscoring the exclusivity of this new vehicle, "40th Anniversary" lettering appears on the center console, and a "One Out of 40" badge is mounted on the handrest of the COMAND controller for the 40 CL65 AMG coupes designated as special edition anniversary models.

6.0-Liter V12 AMG Engine Redefines Performance
While the 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12 engine that powers the CL65 AMG produces 604 horsepower and an astounding 738 lb-ft of torque, the super-smooth twelve-cylinder powerplant is also ideally suited for relaxed cruising. The CL65 AMG`s twin-turbocharged engine features a number of high-tech modifications. A precision-balanced longer-stroke crankshaft, larger-bore forged pistons and beefier bearings and oil-spray cooling system are but a few of the highlights. The twelve-cylinder engine is assembled by hand at the AMG engine facility in Affalterbach, Germany. The "one-man, one-engine" philosophy at AMG is symbolized by a signature plate on the engine that bears the name of the master technician who assembled the engine.

Stopping Power to Match Performance
To handle the high power output of the AMG twin-turbo engine, the front brakes of the AMG V12 model are equipped with high-performance twin sliding calipers. A world first, this new technology combines the advantages of a floating caliper � lower heat transfer to the brake fluid and enhanced comfort � with the performance of a large fixed caliper.

The CL65`s composite brake discs measure 15.4 inches in diameter up front and 14.8 inches in the rear. These immense brakes are also vented and cross-drilled for effective cooling and short stopping distances, even from high speeds. At the rear, frame-type sliding calipers do the work. High-performance tires � 255 / 35 ZR 20 in front and 275 / 35 ZR 20 at the rear � are mounted on forged 20-inch AMG twin-spoke wheels � 8.5 inches up front and 9.5 in the rear.
While all CL-Class models are equipped with ABC active suspension that offers an unparalleled combination of ride quality and handling agility, the CL65 AMG is equipped with special AMG spring struts with firmer damping. Reworked dynamic systems such as ESP stability control and ASR traction control complement the enhanced chassis setup.

About AMG
The abbreviation AMG stands for Hans-Werner Aufrecht (A) and his partner Erhard Melcher (M), who founded AMG in 1967, and Aufrecht`s birthplace of Grossaspach (G). Both had been employees of Mercedes-Benz and officially described themselves as "engineering, design and testing specialists in the development of racing engines." The fledgling firm initially based itself in an old mill in Burgstall (near Affalterbach).
From its beginnings as an independent racing and tuning firm of Mercedes cars, Mercedes-AMG has grown into a supplier of exclusive high-performance cars, now with some 750 employees, an extensive model range and customers around the world. An integral part of the Mercedes-Benz organization, Mercedes-AMG has become synonymous with factory-developed high-performance vehicles. Far more than a tuner or marketing division, Mercedes-AMG is a self-contained entity responsible for all aspects of its vehicles, from development and testing to marketing, with some aspects of production shared with Mercedes-Benz facilities.

First Racing Victory in 1971
In its early years, AMG concentrated on building racing cars based on the Mercedes-Benz 300 SE sedan and competing in European touring car races. The first racing success came in 1971, when a Mercedes 300 SEL 6.8, modified by AMG with a 6.8-liter engine, captured an impressive class victory in the 24-hour race at Spa in Belgium, finishing in second place overall.

International Clientele Fuels Growth
The 1971 success proved to be the springboard for an enviable record on the track that formed a cornerstone of the AMG philosophy and continues to this day. However, AMG`s success spread well beyond international motorsports. In the 1970s, the company began to offer high-performance tuning and individualization for Mercedes customers in Europe and other markets. The transfer of technology from motorsports into production cars already formed part of the company`s philosophy.
The company built its exclusive reputation by developing impressive technology and first-class quality on the back of its involvement in racing. AMG soon became the premiere Mercedes-Benz specialist in the world. Through the 1970s and 1980s, AMG developed a number of special high-performance models based on production Mercedes sedans and coupes. These vehicles incorporated modified, high-power Mercedes engines and race-proven modifications to the chassis and brakes, AMG light-alloy wheels and wider tires, resulting in fully developed, well-rounded high-performance packages.
Strong demand for performance Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the late 1970s led to a steady increase in the number of orders received by AMG. The company outgrew its facility in Burgstall and moved to Affalterbach in 1978. In 1985, AMG opened its second factory and hired its 100th employee. AMG was now attracting customers from all over the world, including building one-of-a-kind vehicles for international clients. This experience strengthened AMG`s reputation in the world of high-performance vehicles as builders of top-performance Mercedes-Benz cars.
As an industry pioneer and trendsetter, AMG became committed to achieving and retaining a position as a world leader in terms of technology, design, and sales. Though AMG cars did not become available in the U.S. market until 1995 when the C36 AMG made its debut, word of AMG vehicles had already made its way into the U.S. enthusiast press. Most famous was "The Hammer" � a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300E powered by a 360-hp 5.6-liter V8.
The signing of the cooperation agreement with DaimlerChrysler AG (then Daimler-Benz AG) in 1990 marked a turning point for AMG. Under the terms of the agreement, AMG products could be sold at Mercedes-Benz dealers in overseas markets, significantly improving customer acceptance. Further expansion led to the opening of a third facility in 1990, and an increase in the workforce to 400 employees.

AMG Comes to America
When the C-Class succeeded the 190 series in 1993, AMG unveiled the first jointly developed vehicle � the Mercedes-Benz C36 AMG, backed by a full Mercedes-Benz warranty. Demand for this 268-horsepower, six-cylinder screamer was limited by production to just under 1,000 cars over a three-year period.
In the U.S., the C36 AMG was followed in 1998 by the C43 AMG, the first V8-powered C-Class model. Customers clamored for more AMG models, so Mercedes-Benz and AMG responded with the E55 AMG, a 349-hp powerhouse that blended super-car performance with four-door Mercedes comfort. Fueled by this customer interest, AMG developed an array of top performance Mercedes-Benz models from the growing palette of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. AMG`s brand success reached a notable milestone 1998 when DaimlerChrysler acquired a majority ownership in the company.
U.S. customer interest in AMG models increased steadily, with sales of 7,500 AMG models in 2001. During 2002, the strategy of offering an AMG model as the top performance Mercedes-Benz in every model line was achieved with the introduction of the SL55 AMG � the first SL roadster AMG offered in the U.S. The source of the SL55 AMG`s power, a new supercharged 5.5-liter Kompressor V8, was also installed in revised versions of the S55 AMG and CL55 AMG launched in late 2002. The 2007 model year marks the debut of the first-ever engine developed from the ground up by AMG, 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 delivering
up to 518-hp (depending on the model).
Mercedes-AMG Today
On January 1, 1999, H.W. Aufrecht sold a majority shareholding in AMG, and the company was incorporated into DaimlerChrysler AG, allowing the newly founded Mercedes-AMG to benefit even more from DCAG`s global resources. The highly specialized subsidiary has overall responsibility for the engine, transmission, chassis, brakes, aerodynamics, interior, design and sales and marketing of AMG-badged cars.
Growth of the Mercedes-AMG product line has been supported by the opening of new production, development and showroom buildings at its Affalterbach plant. The engine factory, showroom and two development buildings, built and operational in 2003, have more than doubled the space of the facility from 199,000 to 426,000 square feet.

One Man, One Engine
The centerpiece of the recent expansion is a new engine factory, which produces 100 engines a day for the entire range of Mercedes-AMG vehicles. Work takes place on three floors across a total area of 107,000 square feet, and about 50 highly qualified master technicians work in the new facility.
Mercedes-AMG follows a philosophy of "one man, one engine." This means that a single technician � identified by the signature plate affixed to the engine � is responsible for the complete assembly of an AMG high-performance engine from start to finish. After a technician assembles an engine, it is individually tested and then moved to a storage facility on the upper level. Flexible manufacturing processes allow the factory to quickly adjust for changes in demand for the various AMG models. A computerized data management system continuously optimizes engine inventory. In addition to engine manufacturing, the new production facility is home to plant management, quality control, production planning, and ordering and parts logistics departments.
AMG currently employs about 750 specialists in development, production and administrative areas. AMG develops each of its models, from the engine and driveline to suspension, brakes, chassis and aerodynamics. Each engine is produced and tested at AMG`s headquarters in Affalterbach, and AMG models are assembled at the main Mercedes-Benz vehicle assembly plants.

The Mercedes-Benz R63 AMG made its world debut at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. Powered by the first-ever engine developed entirely by AMG, the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz, the R63 AMG adds high performance to the six-passenger, all-wheel-drive capability of the highly acclaimed R-Class luxury vehicle.

Representing a new way for six adults to travel, the R-Class combines the distinct advantages of several disparate vehicles – the sure-footedness of a four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicle, the performance and comfort of a fine sports sedan and the versatility of a luxury wagon. Innovative design and useful technology now make possible an automotive decathlete – a vehicle that can excel at an unprecedented range of owner needs.



more....
An AMG Vision for the R-Class Decathlete

The R63 AMG combines high performance with style and every-day usability. The athletic design of this new high-performance model is apparent even from the outside – bolder front and rear aprons, an AMG front grille, flared fenders, and AMG side skirts. In addition, the new R63 AMG comes with tinted taillights and two sets of chromed twin exhaust pipes.

Inside, the R63 AMG is fitted with AMG sport seats (covered in Nappa leather with Alcantara inserts in the shoulder bolsters), a leather AMG sport steering wheel and a special instrument cluster with AMG graphics. AMG door sills and stainless-steel pedals with rubber studs complete the picture.

The First Powerplant Developed Entirely by AMG

However, the heart of the new R63 AMG concept vehicle is the first engine developed entirely by AMG, a 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 that produces 503 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque for zero to 60 mph test track times in about five seconds. One of the most powerful production V8s ever, the new engine boasts a wealth of exciting features derived from AMG’s highly successful racing efforts.

Built almost completely from a high-strength silicon-aluminum alloy, the new 6.3-liter features four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, bucket tappets (rather than rocker arms) and a variable intake manifold. The engine shares no parts with other Mercedes-Benz V8 engines, and even the 109-mm spacing between cylinders is unique to the new 6.3-liter powerplant.

AMG racing genes are obvious in the design of the closed-deck aluminum engine block, which includes cast-in steel reinforcements and an especially rigid “bedplate” design instead of individual main bearing caps. A first for a production engine, the cylinder bores feature a twin-wire-arc-sprayed (TWAS) coating, a new process that results in impressively low friction and running surfaces that are twice as hard as conventional cast-iron cylinders.

A High-Performance Seven-Speed Transmission

The R63 AMG comes with a seven-speed automatic transmission that’s controlled by a Direct Select electronic lever on the steering column and by Formula-1-style buttons on the AMG sport steering wheel. Three different shift modes – “S” for sport, “C” for comfort and “M” for manual – can be selected via a switch on the center console.

A Chassis Worthy of a Sports Car

Like all current R-Class luxury vehicles, the new concept R63 AMG boasts a strong unibody platform and an effective full-time four-wheel-drive system beneath its sleek exterior. Its four-wheel traction control system incorporates functions such as a downhill driving aid and Hill-Start Assist, while a double-wishbone front suspension and four-link rear suspension deliver impressive on-road driving performance and comfort.

An option on other R-Class models, height-adjustable AIRMATIC air suspension with special AMG shocks is standard on the R63 AMG, along with a specially configured version of the ADS adaptive damping system. High-performance vented and perforated disc brakes on all four wheels work together with highly polished 19-inch AMG alloy wheels fitted with 295/45 R19 tires.

source: rSportCars.com

Just in time to mark its 40th anniversary, the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz will be rolling out the all-new CL65 AMG at the upcoming New York International Auto Show.
Don't let the numbers confuse you. This isn't the current CL63 AMG, which slips a torquey, 6.3-liter V-8 under the hood of Mercedes' flagship coupe. The 65 is the crème de la crème of the lineup, with a 6.5-liter, 12-cylinder engine making 604 horsepower.
But the CL65 is about more than just raw horsepower. The 12-banger is an elegant work of kinetic art, powerful, yes, but also incredibly smooth and sophisticated, with a deep-throated rumble, at idle, and a menacing roar when opened up.



TheCarConnection.com got an exclusive sneak peek at the new CL65 a few weeks back and from the moment the covers were lifted, we discovered a real, visual stand-out. The model we got to drool over was one of just 40 that will be painted in a liquid-like finish known as Alubeam paint. If you've seen the second or third-installment Terminator films you'll have some sense of the liquid metal appearance that uses a special, microfine metallic flake paint under numerous clear-coat layers.

"It's difficult to do," suggested the brand-within-a-brand's number two executive, Mario Spitzner, in a serious example of understatement. It's the sort of paint job you protect with armed guards and a private parking lot.

It is a bit of a learning lesson, he continued, and if they get the right response, and find a way to mass produce, we could see this spectacular finish offered up as a - very high-cost - option on future AMG models, though likely not in this one-off, silver-grey hue.


The limited-edition CL65 will also feature carbon-fiber interior inserts on the doors and instrument panels, as well as quilted leather on the doors and seats. Each of the cars will feature a "One of 40," plaque, except for those sold in the U.S. , where the placard will read, "One of 20."

Like the standard Mercedes CL, the 65 features a number of lightweight body panels, including a fiberglass decklid, as well as hood and doors of aluminum.

The CL65 needs to be as adept at stopping as it is at starting, stressed Spitzner, and AMG is equipping the coupe with an all-new braking system it has developed, in-house, that uses both fixed and floating caliper elements.

How fast is the V-12 rocket? "Even in fifth gear, if it wasn't governed by the computer," Spitzner boasted, "you would be spinning wheels. It's a torque machine."

While final prices haven't yet been revealed, a Mercedes source tells TheCarConnection.com to expect the standard CL to start at around $185,000, which gets you a pretty much fully-loaded car. The limited-edition model, in Alubeam paint, should go for a "ballpark of around $200,000."

The launch of the CL65 is viewed as a significant event within Mercedes, and for good reason. It was 1967 when one-time factory rats Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher opened up a small shop in Großaspach, a town near Stuttgart. They initially focused on racing, gaining serious attention in 1971 with a 6.3-liter version of the SEL, (the original name of the CL), with a win at Spa.

Today, AMG is a wholly-owned Mercedes subsidiary, with about 750 employees, though it notably maintains the founders' "one-man-one-engine policy," with each powertrain assembled, start to finish, by a single employee. With the arrival of the CL65, Mercedes will now have 16 different AMG models in its global lineup, eight of them launched within the last year.


Equally intriguing, half of all AMGs are sold in the U.S. each year, and about 25 percent of global volume goes to buyers in Southern California.