With the Stuttgart carmaker recently adding the C450 AMG 4Matic and GLE450 AMG 4Matic Coupe to its "AMG Sport" stable, it seems that an avalanche of similar cars will be launched in the upcoming years, consisting of both smaller and larger Mercedes-Benz->ke187 models. The information comes from the Aussies at Motoring, who recently had a chat with Mercedes-AMG boss Tobias Moers.
Moers let it slip that a dramatic expansion of the model lineup doesn't make him afraid of diminishing the AMG brand's appeal, exclusivity or niche status. "I don’t care about the niche brand, I don’t even care about the exclusive brand," he told Motoring at the C63 and C450 AMG press event. "AMG is the performance and sports car->ke506 brand of Mercedes-Benz cars and if you bring cars to the market which are representing the AMG approach and attitude - driving performance - in that segment, then you don’t have a problem with the brand." Moers continued.
Interestingly, the Mercedes-AMG boss also talked about the C450 AMG's only direct rival, making it sound like there are no worries in the Affalterbach camp. "If you step into the sport model segment with the C 450 - if it comes to a competitive test with our competitors, a comparison with the Audi S5->ke2297 or whatever - then our car must be in front." That said, more AMG Sport models with no direct predecessors are set to appear in both the compact range and the upcoming E-Class.->ke373
Continue reading to learn more about Mercedes' "AMG Sport" lineup.
Why it matters
With the next-generation E-Class set to switch back to inline six-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, I think it may be reasonable to think that the twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter V-6 from the new C450 AMG will not find a home in the larger sedan. Instead, a yet-to-be-confirmed E450 or E500 AMG could be powered by either a new straight-six or a new version of the twin-turbocharged, 4.0-liter V-8 currently found in the C63, GT and G500 4x4².
As far as the AMG Sport models based on the MFA (Modular Front Architecture) are concerned, I speculate that a transverse version of the turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 241 horsepower from the C300 may be a good choice as a powerplant, especially paired with a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. Then again, both the Audi S3 and the BMW M135i offer more-powerful engines, so Mercedes-AMG could slightly detune the 2.0-liter four from the A45 AMG and call it a day.