Mercedes-Benz AMG
AMG was founded with a singular purpose: to modify existing Mercedes-Benz automobiles into championship caliber race cars. What was learned on the track has now made its way into limited production
vehicles bearing the Mercedes-Benz name.
Our passion for the highest standards of automotive performance is shared by those seeking race-level road performance, luxury and exclusivity. To meet the true driving
enthusiast's highest demands, every AMG vehicle is built to exacting tolerances.
Engines At AMG, each engine is a hand-assembled, balanced and blueprinted high-performance version of the already powerful Mercedes-Benz gasoline engines. AMG takes engine
assembly to a high art through the use of balanced reciprocating components.
Each engine is assembled by one of a small group of AMG master technicians who complete only two or three engines per day. All operations are
performed by the technician, from short block assembly to cylinder head and intake system installation. This is the core of the AMG philosophy of "One Person, One Engine".
AMG has the flexibility at its engine
assembly area to shift production to any of its engine variants such as the 3.2-liter Kompressor V6 to the 5.5-liter naturally aspirated and supercharged V8s. All engines are shipped to final assembly plants such as
Sindelfingen (E55/S55/CL55) and Bremen (CLK55/C32/SLK32/SL55) for installation into individual AMG models. AMG no longer performs vehicle assembly at its development and headquarters in Affalterbach, Germany, but all engines
bearing the AMG name originate from this facility.
Supercharging Supercharging is a method of generating a significant increase in horsepower without adding a corresponding increase in engine displacement. AMG has modified and
adopted this technology for its newest generation of V6 and V8 Kompressor engines.
AMG has developed a special Lysholm (helical) supercharger for its 3.2-liter AMG V6 and 5.5-liter V8 engines. The Lysholm supercharger is
based on a two rotor helical design intermeshing an aluminum rotor and Teflon-coated alloy rotor. With less than 0.1 inches clearance between rotors, this supercharger produces 30% more boost pressure than standard
superchargers.
Driven through an electromechanical clutch which engages automatically as power is needed, the AMG supercharger operates at a maximum boost of 12.8 psi over 20,000 rpm. This boost enables the AMG V6 engine
to deliver a specific output of over 100 hp per liter. Intake air is cooled through an integral air-water intercooler mounted beneath the supercharger in the base of the engine's crankcase. The water in the intercooler is
circulated through a special AMG electrical pump system.
SpeedShift From the beginning, AMG has pioneered the development of high-performance automatic transmissions. Our latest version is a heavily modified, driver-adapted 5-speed
automatic.
Known as SpeedShift, the considerable power of an AMG engine is delivered through a driver-adapted 5-speed combining the convenience of an automatic with the dynamic action and control of a manual
transmission.
AMG SpeedShift performs 35% faster, more responsive gear changes, can automatically perform double-downshifts under heavy braking, will hold a specific gear through hard cornering, and automatically
selects the optimum gear to ensure maximum acceleration when overtaking others.
A lighter torque converter that locks in all forward gears is another innovative feature of SpeedShift. AMG SpeedShift is currently
available on the C32 AMG, SLK32 AMG and the 2003 SL55 AMG, CL55 AMG, and CLK55 AMG Coupe and S55 AMG.
Fingertip manual mode, a Formula 1 style shifting system, is one more feature found on many of AMG's SpeedShift
transmissions.
Another example of technology transferred from the racetrack to the Mercedes-AMG transmission is fingertip manual mode. The driver can make rapid, Formula-1-type gear shifts by pressing either of two
steering wheel mounted shift buttons. Press the button on the left side of the steering wheel to shift down. Press the button on the right to shift up. With fingertip manual mode the driver has full control of all gear changes
and SpeedShift only intervenes when the car comes to a stop in high gear, or to shift up at redline.
Brakes AMG develops its own high-performance brakes, unique from standard series Mercedes-Benz models. Utilizing the extensive racing and testing experiences of Mercedes-AMG GmbH,
the braking systems are developed to equal the output of an AMG engine.
AMG brakes are equipped with larger diameter rotors as part of a high-performance four-wheel disc system. Braking calipers are also enlarged with
multiple front and rear pistons depending on the AMG model. An example of AMG's high performance braking system can be found on the SL55 AMG, S55 AMG and CL55 AMG models which feature 14.2 diameter front rotors, 8 piston front
calipers, 4 piston rear calipers, and 4- wheel ventilation. As a designation of their high-performance capability, many AMG brake calipers are decorated with the AMG logo.
Further changes to the braking system include
higher capacity brake ventilation augmented by directional air cooling via the AMG front spoiler. Additional improvements include the reprogramming of the active safety and stability control systems. Both are calibrated to
function with the increased braking power and handling of an AMG.
Suspension The suspension of an AMG-Mercedes has to live up to the performance of its lightning-quick engine - a requirement fulfilled by the stiffer AMG hydraulic shock absorbers
and specially developed sport springs.
Exhaust The concern we put into an AMG engine also applies to what we put into the environment. Every AMG exhaust system is technically advanced with ceramic firewall catalytic
converters and two powerful metal catalytic converters on the underbody. This sophisticated technology reduces emission levels to meet the 2005 EU-4 emission requirements
40 years of AMG: Anniversary of the Mercedes Car Group Performance Brand
- Evolution from a former car tuning company into the performance brand of the Mercedes Car Group
- AMG brand claim focuses on top automotive performance
- A wide range of models and a steadily growing customer base
Stuttgart, May 08, 2007 - Over the past four decades, Mercedes-AMG GmbH has developed from a simple tuning company for premium automobiles to the performance brand of the Mercedes Car Group (MCG). AMG today
stands for extremely dynamic, individualized automobiles with a clear brand focus on performance. As a result, AMG endeavors to provide top automotive technology in each of its vehicles and to express its deep appreciation of
its customers. With its portfolio of 18 models and a steadily increasing number of customers, AMG is one of the world's leading high-performance vehicle brands.
"AMG — throughout the world, these three letters embody cutting-edge technology, dynamism and exclusivity. The experience of driving an AMG cannot be compared to anything else. After four successful decades, the
brand now more than ever symbolizes a unique driving experience. The individual requirements of our customers provide us with motivation in our daily work and will remain our benchmark when developing new automobiles," says
Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.
Individualized to suit every taste
Mercedes-AMG GmbH specializes in unique high-performance sports cars, and its product portfolio — sporty convertibles, coupes, roadsters, sedans, SUVs and custom-made vehicles — can satisfy every customer's
wishes. In line with this focus, the company opened the AMG Performance Studio last year, thus launching a new offensive for individualized customer communication. In addition to the AMG high-performance automobiles, which are
available through the worldwide Mercedes-Benz sales organization, the Performance Studio develops and produces unique AMG vehicles in exclusive, limited quantities.
Dynamic performance tailored to individual needs
AMG's key area of expertise continues to be the development and production of powerful drive systems. The superbly qualified specialists in AMG's state-of-the-art engine manufacturing facility build the powerful
and dynamic V8 and V12 engines in line with the highest standards of quality, while always adhering to the traditional philosophy of "One man, one engine."
Authentic, unified creations
In all of its details, an authentic AMG demonstrates that it is a unified whole from the very start of the vehicle's creation process. It combines the quality, safety and environmental standards that are typical
of Mercedes-Benz with the distinctive properties of AMG. In accordance with the innovative power of Mercedes-Benz, AMG's high-performance automobiles offer an impressive array of beneficial innovations and the highest levels of
luxury.
Leading with a competitive edge
Over the past four decades, AMG's corporate philosophy has turned the two-man enterprise into a distinctive and world-famous brand. As a wholly owned subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler, Mercedes-AMG GmbH is integrated
early on into the strategy and product creation processes of Mercedes-Benz and has full access to the Group's resources. As a result, AMG is a leader in technological development. AMG's brand definition augments the traditional
Mercedes-Benz brand values with AMG-specific attributes. What's more, the centralized pooling of all automotive functions at Affalterbach ensures quick decision-making processes and the rapid and flexible implementation of a
diverse range of customer wishes.
Respect for vehicles and customers
With its highly motivated specialists, AMG fulfills another precondition for meeting customer expectations regarding their vehicles. Mercedes-AMG GmbH currently has about 750 employees working at its headquarters
in Affalterbach. Like the vehicles they produce, the employees continuously strive to provide the ultimate in high performance. The professional identity of the AMG workforce is also defined by the values of precision and
respect. This encompasses not only respect for the vehicles, but also for the customers, whose individual preferences are the sine qua non of AMG.
Fascination as the measure of all things
Through a unique synthesis of emotional and functional attributes, AMG wishes to continuously fascinate its customers. After all, AMG's decades-long experience with motor sports ensures that each vehicle promises
to provide not only top-class details, but also outstanding performance.
|