There’s nothing better than a luxury car with some oomph behind it, and few do better at this delicate combination than Mercedes-Benz and AMG. Working together, the two have produced some of the most desirable cars on the planet today. The only performance arm that rivals AMG is likely BMW’s M-Series, and maybe Audi’s RS line and Jag’s R-S line.
With this success, we have all watched AMG grow from an independent tuner of earlier Benzes to a subsidiary to Mercedes that touches dang near every Mercedes model that rolls off of the assembly line.
Well, AMG’s reach into Mercedes’ production line is going to expand greatly between now and 2017, as the luxury-performance arm is set to grow from 20,000 units to 30,000 units in that timeframe. That is rumored to translate out to a lineup of up to 30 models in the worldwide marketplace. So it looks like there will be plenty of AMG power to go around.
The latest AMG model to debut in the U.S. was the 2013 GL63 AMG, which is set to drop in dealers soon, so we have a full slate of AMG coverage in Mercedes lineup here. However with new models in the works for the U.S. market – CLA-Class and B-Class – we certainly anticipate some nice additions to the AMG’s U.S. family too.
With 510 horsepower under the hood, the Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe Black Series is no doubt one of the most powerful sports coupes out there. Sometimes, however, even the most powerful car can get even more powerful, as long as the right tuner comes into picture. Vath, a German tuning company, decided that the C63 AMG Coupe Black Series can do even better.
To improve upon near perfection, Varth installed a "V63 Supercharged" compressor-system that includes a new water-intercooler system, fuel cooler and, of course, the corresponding fine-tuning of the engine’s electrical system. All these updates, along with a new flow-optimized exhaust system, have increased the engine output up to an impressive 756 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque.
As a result, the sports coupe will now sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 217 mph. However, these updates come with a pretty huge price tag – €49.310 ($65,000 at the current exchange rates).
The C63 AMG also sports a set of 20-inch, three-piece forced wheels wrapped in high performance tires. Also installed is a high-performance brake system that features 405 mm (15.94-inch) discs on the front axle. A new suspension system that can adjust the ride by 20 to 65 mm (0.78 to 2.56 inches) also comes as a part of the package.
Lastly, Varth wrapped it all up with an aerodynamic package and a new black radiator grill without the usual Mercedes star. The interior gets a new sport steering wheel in leather/leather design and a new speedometer with 400 km/h extension (248 mph).
Mercedes will unveil the new CLA 45 AMG at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and, unfortunately, there is still four months between now and its debut. We cannot tell for sure if this is a leaked video (above) or not — it surely looks leaked – but we are just happy we get the chance to see the CLA 45 AMG in action.
Rumors are pointing toward CLA 45 AMG being powered by the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine found in the A45 AMG, which delivers a total of 325 horsepower. The engine will be mated to a four-wheel-drive from the Swedish company Haldex.
When compared to the standard CLA, the AMG version will receive a deep front spoiler, wider track and wheels, massive brakes, chunky side sills, and a spoiler on the trunk. Check out the above video and let us know what you think of it.
It’s been a while since we last heard something about the Mercedes CL-Class, but Famous Parts brought it back to our attention with a tuning package based on the CL63 AMG.
Its Black Edition Wide Body Kit will provide the car with a more aggressive look and more muscular proportions. The kit includes a new front bumper and spoiler blade, new side skirts, a new rear bumper and diffuser, a pair of front mud guards, rear side wall enlargements, a new hood, and lattice inserts.
The front bumper received integrated LED daytime running lights. The Benz is painted Frozen Gray Matt Champagne Metallic paint combined with tinted rear side glass and windshield.
The car sits on a set of 21-inch Monoblock E wheels wrapped in Continental Sport Contact high-performance tires and combined with a lowering module.
Under the hood, the 6.2-liter V-8 engine remains unchanged, but by using software modifications and optimizing exhaust system, the output has jumped to 610 horsepower — an increase of 85 horses over the standard version.
Mercedes unveiled the second generation GL-Class at the 2012 New York Auto Show, and now they have also revealed the most powerful version in the line-up: the GL 63 AMG. This new model will go on sale in November 2012.
Next to a very impressive exterior look, the new GL 63 AMG also features an AMG 5.5-liter V8 biturbo engine that delivers an impressive 557 HP and 560 lbs-ft of torque. The model can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds and goes up to a top speed of 155 mph (electronically limited).
Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: "The new GL 63 AMG completes our performance-oriented all-wheel drive offering. In addition to the ML 63 AMG all-rounder and the recently unveiled, characterful G 63 AMG and G 65 AMG models, the GL 63 AMG places particular emphasis on dynamism and style. Combining the first-rate comfort of the S-Class with the performance of an AMG sports saloon, the GL 63 AMG is unique in its segment."
Updated 11/29/2012: The new generation Mercedes GL 63 AMG made its North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show and with this occasion Mercedes has also unveiled the prices for the U.S. market.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Mercedes GL63 AMG.
Mercedes-Benz tuners in Germany are pretty much a dime a dozen, so many times we see just basic upgrades and overwhelmingly “blah” modifications. Fortunately, GAD Motors is one that rarely, if ever, puts together a “blah” kind of Benz. Its recent program for the CLS 63 AMG, which pumps out 563 horsepower straight off of the showroom floor, proves it.
This 4-stage program starts off with the Wattage V1 program, which adds in replacement, high-flow air filters, a mild boost in boost psi, remapping of the fuel and ignition systems, and a V max upgrade. This bumps the CLS 63 AMG up to 640 PS (631 horsepower), a 68-horsepower increase. This kit costs €3,000 ($3,841 at the current exchange rates)
The second stage is the Wattage V2, which adds in high-flow air filters, water-to-air intercooler with water pump, low-resistance downpipe with high-flow cats and a low-resistance exhaust system, an increase in turbocharger boost pressure, remapped ignition and fuel systems, and a V max upgrade. This is good for 670 PS (661 horsepower), which is an impressive 108-horsepower jump. This kit will set you back €8,600 ($11,011)
Stage three, known as the Wattage V3 kit, includes everything found in the Wattage V2 kit, but it adds in 30-percent larger GAD turbochargers, which significantly increases the overall boost. This jumps the CLS 63 AMG’s V-8 engine to a massive 730 PS (720 horsepower). That is a full 157 horsepower more than the 63 AMG made from the factory. The V3 kit will cost you €16,400 ($20,998)
The fourth and final stage is dubbed the Wattage V4 and includes everything from the V3 package and then some. The extra goodies on the V4 package include: boost increase and an optimized exhaust system – the exact exhaust specifics are not known. This jumps the CLS 63 AMG’s power to 800 PS (789 horsepower) – a huge leap of 226 horsepower. The V4 kit runs a grand total of €25,600 ($32,778)
There is no mention of what kind of track number this model can pull, but we assume a 0-to-60 time in the low-3-second range, maybe even into the high-2s.
On the outside, there are a few minor upgrades, including gunmetal-colored HRE wheels, as well as gunmetal-colored grille and side-view mirrors.
Spooky ghouls and creepy crawlies, Halloween is a holiday that a lot of people hold near and dear to their hearts because its one of the few days in the year where you can act a fool...and be celebrated for it.
For Mercedes, Halloween’s also a special occasion because it gives them the opportunity to show this one-off C63 AMG Coupe Black Series, called the Halloween Edition.
This car is a one-off model that Mercedes showed today on their Facebook page. The car is equal parts pumpkin with the Orange paint finish and monster with its 517 horsepower capabilities. It’s an ideal recipe for a day like Halloween.
Other details on the outside include contrasting black chrome touches on the front grille - including the Silver Arrows logo - and the wing mirror housings. The vehicle also four hot wheels with the center painted black to fit into the C63 AMG’s "Halloween" look.
Inside, orange is once again prominently featured, including on the sides of the seats, parts of the steering wheel, the dashboard, trim level marks, and the center armrest.
Oh, and did we mention that this C63 AMG Black Series packs a wallop? It’s 6.3-liter V8 engine produces 517 horsepower and 457 lb/ft of torque with a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds and a top speed 155 mph.
The first spy shots of the future Mercedes CLA 45 AMG were taken by our spy photographers back in August, but since then, the luxury sedan has been holed up somewhere, more than likely getting all of its kinks worked out. With the work seemingly completed, Mercedes has taken the upcoming CLA 45 AMG out for another round of testing.
As you can see, this prototype is still heavily camouflaged, but we can make out the deep front spoiler, wider track and wheels, the massive brakes, the chunky side sills, and the spoiler on the trunk. While Mercedes tried to fool us with those fake exhaust pipes, the spy photographers said they couldn’t disguise the powerful sound that came out of them during the drive.
The CLA 45 AMG will be powered by a 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbo engine delivering a total of 325 HP - the same engine that will first be used in the A45 AMG. Just like the A45 AMG, the CLA 45 AMG will also get four-wheel-drive from Swedish company Haldex to make sure the power doesn’t just make your tires smoke.
Expect to see the new Mercedes CLA 45 AMG sometime in 2013.
If the name "Seven-11" sounds familiar, it’s only because the guys over at Wheelsandmore had another tuning kit bearing the same name, but it was based on a Mercedes CLS63 AMG. The second package announced is even more impressive and it is based on the SL63 AMG.
Wheelsandmore’s new SL63 AMG Seven-11 is painted in "Armageddon-Matte-Gray" then combined with traditional Wheelsandmore race-stripes. There is also a new set of 20" 6Sporz forged wheels offered as standard, or an optional set of 20/21 inch staggered combination.
The most impressive modification done for the SL63 AMG can be found under the hood. The standard SL63 AMG delivers a total of 537 HP, but the guys at Wheelsandmore added new sport catalysts, a flap-controlled exhaust system, an optimized air induction, and remapped software to the twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 engine. As a result, the V8 engine now delivers an impressive 700 HP and 811 lbs-ft of torque.
The Mercedes was also equipped with a newly developed LowMaXX electronic lowering module which automatically switches off at 43 mph in order to provide comfort and safety reserves.
Just two weeks ago, our spy photographers got their hands on the first spy shots of the facelift version for the Mercedes E63 AMG. At that point, the prototype caught testing with a bunch of camouflage, so it was pretty difficult to imagine what the new model will look like. For that reason, we have come up with a rendering that will help highlight all the changes that will be featured in the facelift E63 AMG.
The exterior changes will be similar to the ones found in the standard E-Class and will include one-piece headlights, a more upright standing grille, and a new hood. There will also be newly designed air intakes that will provide better engine cooling. For the rear, the E63 AMG will receive a redesigned bumper, new styled exhaust pipes, and new rear lights.
The interior will also be updated with higher quality materials, as well as a series of new technologies.
Expect to see the facelift version of the Mercedes E63 AMG launched sometime in 2013.
