AWD future for AMG

Future-generation models from Mercedes-AMG will feature all-wheel drive as a core technology across the range, says new CEO and Chairman, Tobias Moers.

Speaking at this week’s Best of AMG event at Willow Springs near Los Angeles, Moers told motoring.com.au that AMG’s experience with recent models and strong buyer preference for all-wheel drive (AWD) variants where offered had essentially sealed the deal.

Moers says the brand’s recent experience with latest 4MATIC E 63 and CLS 63 variants, coupled with the rollout of the compact A-, CLA- and GLA-Class models, have played a big part in the all-pawing of AMG.

In markets where they are offered, AWD versions of the E 63 S and CLS 63 S already account for the lion’s share of sales, he says.

AWD will be a best fit technology for AMG, said Moers.

“It [the adoption of AWD] depends on the segment,” the AMG boss stated.

“We have certain markets where we have both cars [rear and AWD E 63] available… and the take rate is more than 90 per cent. So we get our answer out of the customers.”

Moers says AMG’s new version of Mercedes’ 4MATIC system has evolved to the point that the company is able to hit all of the brand’s dynamic benchmarks.

“The [4MATIC] car is so easy to drive and it’s still with the genes of AMG, so it’s fun to drive. And it’s still rear [drive] balance so we are able to do that, and we are able to meet our requirements.

“That’s something we didn’t know when we started the program with the 4MATIC E 63, but we know where we are now and we know how to deal with 4MATIC, and how [and] where you have to be focussed with a four-wheel driven car,” said Moers.

“So I think in the future, there’s not a fear to compromise AMG brand in terms of drive and performance when you use an all-wheel driven car,” he added.

Current E- and C-Class based models are not able to be packaged with both 4MATIC and right-hand drive. Based on Moers’ comments, that’s an engineering challenge that is likely to be addressed in the next generations of both model families.

“That’s up to Mercedes to announce that,” Moers hedges, adding: “But I think they don’t do the same mistake twice.”

One segment where AMG is unlikely to head down the AWD route, however, is the supersport arena – that is, the successor or replacement for the SLS.

“I think there is still room for rear-wheel driven cars [in our range],” he says.

“On a track-capable -- a real track-oriented car -- it’s not in the way to just have the power on the rear. Because [with rear-drive] you don’t compromise your front-end, you know.”

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