Bernd Schneider is a Bathurst 12 Hour winner and Mercedes AMG brand ambassador. Recently he was in Bathurst for an AMG drive day. Once the snow had melted, this is what happened when he was given the keys to an AMG GT S and sent out on an empty Mount Panorama circuit.
Mercedes-AMG (as they like to be called these days) has a new 4.0 litre V8 biturbo engine. We saw it first in the AMG GT, and now they’re going about the process of stuffing it into pretty much every model they make that’s bigger than an A Class.
With the forthcoming Paris Motor Show the C Class has been given the AMG treatment, which brings us to this new C63 model. We like this a lot, because it means we can get off on another stupidly fast estate. There is a C63 sedan, of course—and coupé and Black Series models will no doubt follow soon—but right now we couldn’t imagine being in a cooler place than the driver’s seat of an AMG C63 Estate.
There’s two states of tune for the latest C63; the standard model has 350kW/650Nm, while the C63 S is beefed up to 375kW/700Nm. Interestingly that’s an extra 50Nm than the AMG GT S.
When coupled to the MCT 7-Speed transmission you’ll get yourself to 100km/h somewhere in between 4.0 and 4.2 seconds, depending on the model chosen. All models have a limited top speed of 250km/h.
From the outside this new C Class looks pretty good, especially with its fancy pants AMG body kit in place. But the inside, well, we wouldn’t knock back the car if someone gave us one, but the interior is a clear weak point in this car.
What do you think?
After a long build up the Mercedes-AMG GT is here. Mercedes is talking itself up with this car and AMG has lofty ambitions for its latest model. Just look at the first sentence from the press release below:
The first Mercedes was a racing car, its most recent successor carries this heritage forward: with the new Mercedes-AMG GT, the Mercedes-AMG sports car brand is moving into a new, top-class sports car segment for the company.
To help achieve its aims the AMG GT features a curvaceous coupé body with most of the curves in all the right places. It’s a classic two-seat sportscar look, with a long bonnet and the cabin pushed back towards the rear wheels. It does look pretty good from most angles, although we do think this car would look more impressive before our eyes than it does on a computer screen.
Powering the AMG GT is a 4.0 litre V8 biturbo engine. The new M178 V8 is provided in two states of tune, for the entry level GT model there’s 340kW/600Nm on tap, while the GT S gets a modest boost to 375kW/650Nm.
Perhaps inspired a little by the innovative turbo configuration from the F1 W05 the M178 V8 features what’s been labelled as “hot inside V†whereby the turbos are mounted inside the V layout, rather than outside the engine. The use of a dry sump also means the engine can be mounted lower, helping to provide a lower centre of gravity for better handling.
In true AMG tradition, this V8, even with turbos, sounds as raucous and thunderous as the company’s previous normally aspirated offerings. Thankfully!
Motorsport-inspired double wishbone suspension has been used for superior road holding, cornering and feedback, well, according to Mercedes anyway. A 47:53 front to rear weight distribution should also give the GT a classic sportscar feel, with that extra weight at the rear to keep the driving wheels better planted to the road.
The GT has a kerbweight of 1540kg and sees off 100km/h in 4.0 seconds, while the more powerful GT S weighs 1570kg but is quicker to triple figures with a sprint time of 3.8 seconds. Both models have had their top speeds electronically capped, 304km/h for the GT and 310km/h for the GT S.
Meaningful buzzwords like forged alloy wheels, carbon ceramic brakes, 7-speed dual clutch transmission, rear-axle locking differential and more can be found lurking in the detailed press guff below, along with a few videos and enough photos—in new 2560px mega sizing—for you to form a judgement on the AMG GT that we’d love you to share with us.
This is the latest version of the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate, which has been spied recently in Germany.
It’s awesome to see Mercedes will continue the C63 model line with the new C Class range. Except it won’t be a “63” at all. No, the old and much loved 6.2 litre normally aspirated V8 will be making way for a 4.0 litre V8 with a pair of turbochargers for good measure.
Peak power is predicted to start at 331kW (450hp) but as is the norm with forced induction you can expect the AMG boffins to provide a range of factory-backed power enhancements. We can start the bidding at 368kW (500hp), but we all know Mercedes will go beyond that!
Mercedes says it will be sticking with the C63 badge, too, even though it will have no relevance to the car’s engine. Just like a BMW, then!
[Source: World Car Fans | Pic: Automedia]
The normally aspirated V8 engine found in the C63 was first launched back in 2007. Since then it has powered AMG-enhanced C Class coupes, saloons and estates to the top of many people’s wish lists. The M156 V8 has been AMG’s stock-in-trade in recent years, beating away in plenty of other models too.
Approaching the end of its life, and for the great benefit of us all, Chris Harris takes a brief moment to say goodbye to the one of the world’s great V8 engines. The arrival of a new C Class will usher in a new turbocharged more fuel efficient era. Mercedes promises the C63 badge will remain, but it won’t really be the same.
Mercedes-Benz makes much of the fact its A45 AMG features the most powerful four-cylinder production engine in the world. But that’s all about to change with word Volkswagen is set to trump the output of the hand-built AMG motor.
The 2.0 litre turbo in the A45 AMG produces 265kW/450Nm and the lab coats from Wolfsburg reckon they can better that with their warmed over 2.0 litre four-pot aiming for a minimum of 283kW (380hp). Volkswagen R engineers also reckon they can push towards 500Nm of torque.
An unnamed VW source claims: “It’s going to be a very fast car. Because it will be able to use all of its torque in first gear, it’s going to get to 100km/h in the very low four-second bracket.”
The A45 AMG limits torque in the first three gears to help protect its dual-clutch transmission. The new Volkswagen engine, able to be fitted to any of the group’s MQB-based cars, will be mated to an all-wheel drive system and specially developed 6-speed DSG which can cope with the predicted torque in all gears.
The engine is “based on an old generation engine block, so it’s cheaper to make than the AMG motor, too, and a lot less complex,” the source added. “It will move the game on again.”
Sounds like fun and games, and that’s just around the Audi and Volkswagen boardrooms as the two stablemates fight over who gets first dibs. Audi thinks its new TT would be a good fit, while Volkswagen has its sights set on the new Scirocco featuring the engine, which should be developed and ready to rumble late next year.
A preview of the engine may come in a concept car later this year, at September’s Paris Motor Show perhaps.
Naturally, Mercedes won’t take any challenge to its power crown lying down, with speculation an A45 AMG Black Series could boast a mighty 300kW.
This is going to be fun!
[Source: motoring.com.au | Thanks Richard to for the tip]
If you thought the Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG was pretty cool, you’re going to love this Racing Series concept. At this stage it’s little more than a litmus test to see how interested the customer racing market responds to the car.
Technical specs for the CLA 45 AMG Racing Series are being kept deliberately flexible for now, but it starts with the same 265kW/450Nm 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder engine from the road car, along with the 7-speed DCT gearbox.
It can be prepared with all-wheel drive or brought back to front-wheel drive if category restrictions applied. As an example, the car could race in the VLN series around the Nürburgring.
The body panels of the Racing Series are made from CFRP and the wider track results in aggressively flared wheel arches along with the handling benefits that come with such geometry changes. The interior of the car is fully race prepped, including racing buckets seats and a roll cage.
AMG brand ambassador Bernd Schneider was involved in the development of the concept and we hope to see this model flying around the world’s racetracks very soon. If nothing else, we’d expect Mercedes to enter a couple in next year’s Nürburgring 24 hour race.
Aston Martin has announced it signed a letter of intent with Mercedes-AMG GmbH to enter into a technical partnership with the German firm.
The deal is expected to see AMG secure a 5% stake in Aston Martin in exchange for access and development of bespoke V8 engines, along with electric/electronic (e/e) components from Mercedes-Benz Cars.
A formal agreement is yet to be signed but both companies are working towards finalising the deal, which may be subject to regulatory approvals, before the end of the year.
“We have selected AMG specifically as the basis for this powertrain development process,” said Ian Minards, Aston Martin Product Development Director.
“Aston Martin sources cutting edge technology from key suppliers around the globe and the opportunity to include content from Mercedes-AMG GmbH in our next generation sports cars is, clearly, good news.”
Ola Källenius, Head of Mercedes-AMG GmbH added, “We are proud to work with Aston Martin and provide them with powertrain and e/e components for their forthcoming sports cars. This is proof of AMG’s technological and performance expertise and a real win-win situation for both sides.”
No further detail will be provided from either manufacturer until the partnership has been signed off.
Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific has today announced pricing and basic specs for its CLA range, the saloon version of the A Class. We’ll be seeing three models in Australia and here is the manufacturer’s list pricing:
In the case of the CLA 45 AMG, the model of most interest to AUSmotive readers, that represents a $12,000 premium over its hot hatch sibling. While CLA 250 Sport and CLA 200 buyers are asked to fork out an extra $13,500 and $9,000 respectively compared with corresponding models from the the A Class range.
The CLA 200 is powered by a 115kW/250Nm 1.6 litre turbo four-cylinder, the CLA 250 Sport has a 155kW/350Nm 2.0 litre turbo four. When AMG gets their skilled engine-makers on the case they produce 265kW/450Nm from the 2.0 litre turbo found within the CLA 45 AMG.
The CLA 200 comes with the following standard equipment:
In addition, the CLA 250 Sport features:
While the CLA 45 AMG also includes:
We ask, is the addition of a boot and a supposed boost in style really worth the price premium Mercedes-Benz demands?
Mercedes-Benz had a huge presence at the 2012 Australian International Motor Show, made even more noticeable by the absence of both Audi and BMW. It’s actually very refreshing to see how serious Mercedes takes the Australian market, when we often get treated as second best by other manufacturers.
A great example of that is the CLS 63 AMG Shooting Brake ‘Edition 1’ you see above. With an extra 24kW/100Nm compared to the base-spec CLS 63 AMG, if you can call any AMG base-spec, the Edition 1 boasts the massive numbers of 410kW/800Nm. It’s limited globally and five have been allocated to Australia, all of which will be delivered a full three months ahead of regular Shooting Brake deliveries.
Further highlighting the level of faith Mercedes holds with local customers another three special AMG models were on display. Fans of open top motoring were presented with the SLK AMG 55 in designo magno cashmere white metallic paint, a fancy term for matte white. Other highlights on the SLK included carbon fibre interior and mystic blue exclusive leather upholstery.
There was also an SLS AMG Roadster, which just looks the balls from behind. It was wearing a specially created coarse silver metallic paint, which did look a little odd we have to admit. We’re mostly not fans of red interiors, but in this SLS Roadster it looked great.
If you’re like us and prefer your road cars to have a roof then you can stand and admire the C63 AMG Coupé in designo mystic blue paint. It looked hot! The look was completed with lashing of AMG’s best carbon fibre trim, a leather dashboard and trick 19″ alloy wheels. It was our pick.
Mercedes-Benz Australia is making a big deal about the first C63 AMG Coupé Black Series making its way to our shores. And why wouldn’t they. With 380kW on tap from a handbuilt 6.3 litre V8 and a kick arse body kit it’s a car sure to win admirers from all walks of life.
The car in the photos is painted in Diamond White and features matte black wheels as well as the AMG aero package. It’s the first of just 32 C63 AMG Blacks coming to Australia, all have been sold, and it will make its first public appearance at the Australian Grand Prix.
Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz.
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
And Lord, can it please be a $245,000 C63 AMG Coupé Black Series? There’s only 32 coming to Australia and I kind of need to know now if you can help or else I will probably miss out.
Do you think he’ll help? I’ve got until April next year to get the money. That’s about five months away. Maybe I could save the cash myself, it’s only about $1700 a day.
Yes, we are big fans of the C63 Coupé AMG Black here at AUSmotive and we reckon a fair number of you will be as well. It has to be one of the best looking and most aggressively styled cars to come out of a German factory ever. With 380kW of normally aspirated 6.3 litre V8 fury it will go like stink as well.
Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Mr Horst von Sanden is very confident he will have no trouble shifting the C63 AMG Black from his showrooms.
“In Australia we have offered two AMG Black Series models in the past and they were very quickly snapped up by AMG aficionados who recognised their unique character and scarcity,” said von Sanden.
“The C 63 AMG Coupe Black Series will be limited to a total of 35 units for Australia and New Zealand. Obviously we wanted to get more but, the global customer demand for this latest Black Series has seen our allocation limited… and we already have a double figure order bank.”
More from Mercedes-Benz Australia after the break, including basic specification. Start saving!