Mercedes-AMG has been fulfilling the dreams of performance enthusiasts for 50 years now. Founded by Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, the pair set up their first workshop in an old mill in 1967 as an “engineering office and design and testing centre for the development of racing engines”. Collaboration with Mercedes-Benz began in 1990.
The C 36 AMG, launched in 1993, was the first vehicle on the market to result from the collaboration agreement with Daimler-Benz. In 2005, Mercedes-AMG became a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler-AG and 2009 saw the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the first vehicle to be developed entirely by Mercedes-AMG. AMG branched into motor racing with the SLS AMG GT3 in 2011.
Mercedes-AMG expanded significantly in 2016 as a whole and, with growth of 44.1%, again significantly exceeded the best previous-year figures. With 99,235 vehicles delivered, the success story of Mercedes-Benz’s sports car and performance brand reached a new level. Unit sales have thus more than tripled since 2013. This dynamic growth was made possible by continuous further development of the performance models, which are in greater demand than ever.
Yet the strategic broadening of the portfolio in recent years has also led to the successful development of new groups of customers. Hence, the company’s global success is not solely based on the popular eight-cylinder models of the 63 series. The compact 45 series models, along with the wide range of 43 series models, are finding favour with very many customers while placing AMG’s modern product portfolio on a broad, solid basis.
Development of new categories of customers through portfolio expansion
2016 saw the biggest strategic model initiative in the history of Mercedes-AMG: with over ten new models being added to the product portfolio, from January 2017 performance-minded customers are able to choose from over 50 models. In each category, Mercedes-AMG boasts a comprehensive and impressive product offering: from the most powerful standard-production four-cylinder compact to the sportily elegant S 65 with a superior twelve-cylinder engine, from saloons and estates in many different output classes, to a broad range of SUVs and coupés, to cabriolets and variously configured roadsters.
The available technology is among the best on offer in the respective vehicle categories, ranging from optimised rear-wheel drive to state-of-the-art all-wheel drive, as well as from a dual-clutch transmission to a sporty nine-gear automatic transmission.
At the same time, the sports car and performance brand has won entirely new groups of customers with its recently launched 43 series models. The first such vehicles were unveiled by Mercedes-AMG at the Detroit Auto Show two years ago. The 43 series models come with a powerful and efficient six-cylinder engine.
Other hallmarks of the 43 series derivatives include special transmission tuning with shorter shift times as well as AMG-specific axle designs and suspensions, powerful brake components and other various interior/exterior distinguishing features, confirming the models as typical AMG vehicles that fully meet the brand claim of “Driving Performance” while authentically representing the brand in the respective market segments.
Hypercar with Formula 1 technology
Alongside its continuing strategic product initiative, Mercedes-AMG is setting a further landmark in 2017 by giving a fascinating peek into the future performance in the form of a street-legal hypercar. Offering unadulterated Formula 1 technology for the road, the hypercar is thus the first commercially available vehicle with F1 hybrid powertrain and road approval.
With a system output of over 1000 hp and four-wheel drive with all-electric front axle, it marks the pinnacle of what is currently technologically feasible. In terms of output and efficiency, this hypercar points the way to “AMG Future Performance”. AMG models are already among the most efficient in their class. The latest example is the Mercedes-AMG E 63. For maximum efficiency, AMG has, for example, equipped the V8 engine in the performance saloon with the AMG Cylinder Management cylinder deactivation system.
Outstanding customer sports season 2016
With a total of 18 overall victories and 32 other podium finishes, the international customer and performance teams celebrated a sensational season in 2016 with the new Mercedes-AMG GT3. The GT3 racing car got the season off to the ideal start. Following victory in the ADAC 24-hour qualification race, in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in late May the new GT3 racing car posted the greatest victory to date since the inception of the AMG customer sports programme, with overall victory, pole position, fastest lap as well as further finishes in second, third, fourth and sixth place now on record in the annals of motor sport.
The brand’s clean sweep of the podium places in the world’s largest car race was shared by the AMG team BLACK FALCON (P1), the AMG team HTP Motorsport (P2) and the HARIBO Racing Team-AMG (P3).
Also in the customer sports programme, Mercedes-AMG will keep its foot on the gas in the coming season, with participation of the successful AMG GT3 being extended to the USA. Renowned teams will contest both the highly popular IMSA Series as well as the PWC, the Pirelli World Challenge. Also in the USA, the teams will benefit from optimal support from Mercedes-AMG Customer Sports.
Competence centre for V8 development
Affalterbach is home to the management, administration, sales, development and design teams as well as AMG hand-crafted engine building. This is where AMG V8 engines are produced. Other engines are produced in Kölleda (four-cylinder in-line engines) and Mannheim (V12 engines). Each engine is hand-assembled by a single engine builder at these sites according to the “one man, one engine” philosophy and provided with a badge hand-signed by the relevant technician.
Mercedes-AMG is today responsible for the development not only of the new eight-cylinder family of the Mercedes-Benz brand, but also of the AMG V8 engines. The first standard-production vehicle to be fitted with a V8 engine developed in Affalterbach was the G 500, which celebrated its market launch in September 2015. The V8 engine for the upcoming new S-Class was also developed in Affalterbach, underlining the engine-building expertise of the three-lettered brand.
Exclusive AMG Private Lounge
Another central component of customer support is the online AMG Private Lounge. Launched in 2006 for US customers, it was expanded to German-speaking areas in 2009 and brought an international dimension to the official AMG Brand Community. The online platform invites AMG owners to share their passion for the brand with other AMG enthusiasts. Insider knowledge, direct contact with Affalterbach, exclusive events and opportunities to communicate and exchange ideas give the brand a more approachable face. At present, the AMG Private Lounge Community has an accredited membership of over 48,000 worldwide. No other car manufacturer offers anything comparable.
Pit radio for AMG customers
To ensure a high quality of customer support, customers have access to an exclusive AMG hotline, launched in October 2016. The primary aim of the “pit radio” is to restore performance when needed – in the event of an accident, for example. The service hotline can also help if the customer has any technical questions or wants to make a workshop appointment. A defined process guarantees customers the quickest possible assistance. The hotline is initially available to customers in Germany, Great Britain, France, Austria and Switzerland, with further markets and a broadening of the offering to follow.
Milestones in the history of the sports car and performance brand
The company, founded by Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher, has been fulfilling the dreams of performance enthusiasts for 50 years. The pair set up their first workshop in an old mill in 1967 as an “engineering office and design and testing centre for the development of racing engines”.
In 1971, the AMG 300 SEL 6.8 of “Aufrecht and Melcher, Großaspach” – in short: AMG – claimed victory completely out of the blue in its class and took second place overall in the 24-hour race at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. Another milestone was the all-new cylinder head with cutting-edge valve technology, developed by Melcher.
Collaboration with Mercedes-Benz began in 1990. The C 36 AMG, launched in 1993, was the first vehicle on the market to result from the collaboration agreement with Daimler-Benz. In 2005, Mercedes-AMG became a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler-AG and 2009 saw the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the first vehicle to be developed entirely by Mercedes-AMG. AMG branched into motor racing with the SLS AMG GT3 in 2011. This was followed by the introduction of the Mercedes-AMG GT in 2014 and the launch of the 43 series models in 2015, introducing a broader target group to the brand.