AMG goes Panamericana

Mercedes-Benz will move to further define its increasingly popular AMG performance sub-brand by making the ‘Panamericana’ vertically barred grille standard across all models.

Currently, the design is used by the GT3 racer and the storming Mercedes-AMG GT R road car, but will flow into all GT coupes and convertibles following a facelift to be revealed at the Detroit auto show.

The move to the new look was confirmed this week by Benz Chief Design Officer Gordon Wagener during a roundtable with Australian media.

“The big differentiation we are doing with AMG [is] to really make that its own sub-brand,” said Wagener.

The Panamericana grille is based on the look of the 1952 SL Panamericana racer, which pioneered the combination of vertical bars and prominent Benz star.

The oval opening was in turn inspired by the ‘cigar’ shape of Mercedes-Benz racing cars of the 1930s.

“This is our traditional racing grille and so with the GT, and the GT R and the GT3, we have brought that back from the racing on to the street.

“That will be the new signature for AMG and will give this brand a very unique profile.

“And then of course with all AMG products such as the GT, with that car we give it even more of a profile.

“That is very important to me and that also applies to every product, because every product there will be an AMG variant – almost every product.”

Asked if that would mean the next A45 AMG would get the look, Wagener replied: “Maybe yeah, that would be logic huh.”

That would also mean the forthcoming Mercedes-AMG hypercar, expected to be called the R50, should also get a version of the new grille.

Benz briefly showed a surprise new sketch of the rear of the F1-powered AMG R50 car at a CES (Consumer Electronics Show) press conference in Las Vegas last week.

Wagener confirmed it was his sketch that was used and also spoke enthusiastically about the look of the car, which cloaks the powertrain from the Mercedes-AMG Formula One racing car.

“Such a proportion is almost like we have a penalty shot in soccer without the goal keeper,” Wagener smiled.

“You can’t get too much wrong. It’s low, it’s wide, it’s perfect, it’s stunning.

“The hard part is what makes it different to all other super or hypercars that are out there? What makes it the Mercedes of the hypercar?

“I think this is a very special car that comes one in every 50 years or so, so you truly make a statement in history here and you better do it good.

“But I think what we came up with is fantastic,” he said, suggesting the R50's design has already been completed and green lit.