New AMGs priced to please

Mercedes-Benz has announced lower than expected prices for a bevy of new AMG models due to arrive in Australia over the coming months, including the SLS AMG Black Series, the upgraded E 63 AMG sedan, three C 63 Edition 507 models and the all-new A 45 AMG hot hatch.

Leading the pack at the top of the AMG tree is the limited-edition SLS Black Series super-coupe, which will cost $639,000 plus on-road costs when first deliveries commence in July – more than $170,000 pricier than the standard SLS Gullwing ($468,320).

That makes it one of the most expensive Mercedes-Benz models ever sold in Australia (discounting the circa-$700K Maybach limousine) and almost as dear as the SL 65 AMG Black Series released here in May 2009 (about $680,000), not to mention well into Ferrari F12 Berlinetta territory ($691,100).

However, it’s still less than many pundits predicted and the top-shelf SLS has already attracted seven firm deposits, leaving just three unaccounted for from a total Australian allocation of just 10 examples, out of a global production run of between about 200 and 300 vehicles.

Australian-delivered SLS Blacks will also come standard with a host of equipment that is optional on the regular SLS, including AMG Ride Control variable damping, AMG ceramic brakes, AMG sports bucket seats, Blind Spot Assist, black designo leather trim and a range of carbon and Alcantara interior highlights.

The only SLS Black Series options Down Under will be an AMG Aerodynamics Package comprising carbon front and rear spoilers, the choice of silver or black-with-silver-flange five-spoke AMG alloy wheels, Anthracite or red Alcantara interior trim and AMG Solarbeam yellow hero paint in addition to the Gullwing’s standard colour palette.

As we reported in our first drive report of the SLS Black from Europe a few days ago, the range-topping model is headlined by a 6.2-litre V8 that revs to 8000rpm (up from 7200rpm), delivering 464kW at 7400rpm (up 44kW over the standard SLS) and 635Nm of torque at 5500rpm (down 15Nm).

Other SLS Black modifications include 10mm-lower transmission mounts, a carbon-fibre (instead of cast-alloy) torque tube, carbon-reinforced plastic drive shaft, carbon-fibre bonnet, plastic composite front quarter panels, a titanium exhaust system, a lithium-ion 12-volt battery, electronic differential lock, wider wheel tracks a wider Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

Combined with a total weight saving of 70kg, the 1625kg Black sprints to 100km/h in a claimed 3.6 seconds – one-tenth sooner than the standard SLS coupe.

Meantime, the facelifted E 63 AMG sedan has been confirmed to arrive here in September in a single high-output rear-wheel drive ‘S’ variant, priced at $249,900 plus ORCs.

Although that’s almost $9500 more than the E 63 AMG sedan it replaces, it’s also almost $8500 cheaper than the superseded E 63 AMG Performance Pack sedan ($258,385), which accounted for 80 per cent of E 63 sedan sales.

Mercedes-Benz Australia is yet to confirm if the E63 AMG Estate continues here (and the facelifted E 63 AMG Coupe and Cabriolet are yet to come), but says increased standard specifications including the addition of full LED headlights, Driver Assistance Package PLUS, Active Park Assist and rear diff lock makes the latest E 63 sedan about $20,000 better value than before.

Like the SLS Black, Mercedes says it has already received plenty of interest in the new-look E 63, and hopes to secure an example for the Melbourne motor show in late June.

The E 63 AMG S sedan’s turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 produces 430kW and 800Nm – 20kW/80Nm more than the upgraded standard E 63 (410kW/720Nm) and 62kW/100Nm more than the outgoing standard E 63 (368kW/700Nm) – which is enough to accelerate it to 100km/h in a claimed 4.1 seconds.

Next up are the C 63 AMG Edition 507s, which arrive here in August priced at $169,507 (sedan), $171,407 (wagon) and $172,407 (coupe).

That makes the 507 editions more than $15,000 pricier than the standard C 63 AMGs ($153,900 sedan), but they also replace the popular C 63 Performance Pack models, which packed a 6.2-litre V8 offering 358kW/600Nm.

The Edition 507 ups that to 373kW (or 507hp, hence the name) and 810Nm and, although that’s shy of the C 63 Black Series’ 380kW/820Nm, it’s enough to propel the sedan to 100km/h in a claimed 4.2 seconds – two-tenths quicker than the standard C 63.

Unique 507 features include a Black Series bonnet, 19-inch forged alloys, ‘darkened’ exterior highlights and a range of interior trim packages.

Finally, the A 45 AMG will top the redesigned A-Class hatchback line-up launched in Australia in March (and sold out until August), priced about $5000 lower than expected at $74,900 plus ORCs from September - $2500 more than BMW’s M135i auto hatch.

As in Europe, AMG’s first four-cylinder model drives all four wheels with a 265kW/450Nm twin-scroll turbocharged 2.0-litre engine (which AMG says is the world’s most powerful four-cylinder production engine) and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, and is claimed to hit 100km/h in just 4.6 seconds.

However, unique A 45 specifications for Australia will include 19-inch alloy wheels, Intelligent Lighting System, a panoramic glass sunroof, AMG Performance exhaust, Distronic Plus radar cruise, blind spot warning, lane departure warning, heated leather seats, front/rear parking sensors, COMAND online interface, Harman Kardon Logic 7 audio, a host of interior features and the AMG Driver’s Package including a higher 270km/h top speed.

“Certainly we believe we’ve met the price and specification expectations for the A 45,” said Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific sales chief Richard Emery.

With more than 100 forward orders already received, Mercedes expects the A 45 AMG to be in shorter supply than the other new AMG models.

However, with at least 500 examples expected to be sold per annum – on top of about 850 C 63s and 150 E 63s – the German luxury brand will easily eclipse record annual sales figure of 1233 vehicles set last year when Australia was the sixth-biggest AMG market globally and the largest per-capita.

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