AMG turns 45, teases eight new models

Mercedes-AMG marked its 45th anniversary this week by revealing it will introduce up to eight new models and increase global sales by 50 per cent as part of its ambitious new five-year plan dubbed AMG Performance 50.

Accompanied by an image showing all of AMG’s models since 1967 plus eight upcoming models under wraps, the announcement highlighted the release of AMG’s first model based on the A-Class – the all-new 400Nm 2.0-litre turbo-four A45 AMG due on sale in the first quarter of next year.

AMG’s global model range currently comprises 22 models, including the C63 coupe and sedan, SLK55 roadster, E63 sedan and wagon, CLS63 sedan, S63 and 65 limousines, CL63 and 65 coupes, SL63 and 65 roadsters, ML63, G55 and 65 off-roaders and the range-topping SLS AMG coupe and roadster.

That number will soon expand to 30, starting with the recently revealed SLS AMG GT, GL63 and A45 – which will feature AMG’s first seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission, all-wheel drive, three-stage stability control, and bespoke high-performance suspension and braking system. An even hotter SLS Black Series is expected to be added and sold in Australia next year.

Other new AMG models believed to be under development include more Black versions (including SL) and AMG-fettled versions of the latest B-Class and the upcoming CLS Shooting Brake, GLA compact SUV and CLA compact sedan.

Mercedes-AMG has confirmed it will also stage the global debut of its gullwinged SLS AMG E-CELL coupe at the Paris Motor Show in September, with first European deliveries of what it bills as the world’s first purely electric-driven super sportscar to take place next year.

AMG’s aggressive five-year plan targets 30,000 annual sales by 2017 – up from about 20,000 currently – by achieving average CO2 emissions of around 200g/km and expanding the number of AMG Performance Centres it has globally, from a current 270 in 24 countries to around 350.

“We have decided to expand our model range from its current level of 22 vehicles to around 30 vehicles in the future,” said AMG boss Ola Källenius.

“We are looking to increase our global sales, which today stand at around 20,000 vehicles, to more than 30,000 vehicles by the time of our 50th anniversary, and thereby assert our leading position in this exclusive segment.”

In addition, AMG will focus on developing lighter construction techniques and more all-wheel drive models beyond SUVs, and will also become the sole development centre for Mercedes’ V12.

AMG currently produces the M279 AMG 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine for the S65, CL65, SL65 and G65, but in future all 12-cylinder engines for upcoming Mercedes models will be developed in Affalterbach.

But four-cylinder engines will also play a part in AMG's future.

“Our goal is to build the most dynamic, most powerful and at the same time most efficient four-cylinder series production compact car. Together with other future high-performance compact cars, the new A45 AMG will embody exclusive dynamism and the AMG Performance 50 growth strategy,” said Mr Källenius.

“By the 50th anniversary of AMG, we want to achieve [average] CO2 emissions of around 200 grams per kilometre for the entire AMG model range. Our new AMG compact cars will of course help us to achieve this ambitious plan, but we are also aiming for a significant reduction in fuel consumption for other model series too.”

Globally, Mercedes-AMG sales lifted by more than 30 per cent during the first quarter of 2012. This is the best first quarter in the company’s history. Last year AMG's sales increased by seven per cent in the USA, 15 per cent in Germany and almost 50 per cent in China – the performance arm's three largest markets.

The company says it will also increase the rollout of its AMG Driving Academies and AMG accessories range. Around a quarter of all Mercedes models are already delivered with an AMG Sports package, representing more than 300,000 optioned-up vehicles last year.

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