Mercedes Bringing AMG To The Masses

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Just as BMW launched their “M Sport” line of mass-produced vehicles bearing the M Badge (think 335i M Sport and the Euro-spec M550d diesel performance sedan), Mercedes-Benz is about to get in on the action with AMG-badged versions of more pedestrian models.

According to Automotive News, a C450 AMG will debut as a more performance oriented C-Class above the C400 and below the more hardcore C63 AMG. Less hardcore AMG versions of the CLA, E-Class and GLK are also expected to follow. In addition to more hardcore performance improvements, true AMG models will get more radical visual enhancements like fender flares and a wider track.

The move comes in response to Audi moving their “S” models to a more mainstream position, and positioning their RS lineup as the ultimate performance models, as well as the aforementioned move with BMW’s M cars. Cadillac is also following suit, creating a “V-Sport” line below their more extreme “V” models.

Of course, the proliferation of AMG models through the Mercedes range has led to AMG vehicles becoming less about outright performance, and more about becoming the most expensive example of a particular Mercedes model. Buyers of the ML63 AMG SUV for example, may opt for it because of the status it conveys, rather than its performance capabilities. The new AMG-lite range should capitalize on that desire, but likely won’t move the needle for buyers who must have the most expensive M-B, or nothing else.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Krayzie Krayzie on Aug 25, 2014

    Well at least the kids will no longer need to buy fake AMG badges on eBay and stick them onto their pedestrian Mercs now that it will come pre-riced from the factory.

  • DearS DearS on Aug 25, 2014

    If a 2.0T in a $24k Sonata and other cars makes 130hp/lt. a 3 liter turbo like BMWs or Mercedes should be able to make 390Hp no problem right? BMW makes 300hp and Mercedes 330hp, we should be able to get 400HP easily on these cars for a reasonable price.

    • See 9 previous
    • Dan Dan on Aug 26, 2014

      @Dan "I hope you’re not confusing brake specific fuel consumption with consumer fuel efficiency." No, but in the absence of published bsfc data I'll settle for assuming that a car thats very raison d'etre is greenbeanism would be specified with an engine with relatively low bsfc and high thermal efficiency. As that engine outputs a staggering 54 HP/L, I would suggest that any positive correlation between HP/L and those qualities is, at least within the range of modern automotive engines, wholly coincidental.

  • Mahdigga Mahdigga on Aug 26, 2014

    why dont they switch the names back to the Good ol' days. Name them 400C, 350E, 550S - those in the 50s and 60s remember those names. They'd sell a ton of them.

  • Stanczyk Stanczyk on Aug 27, 2014

    All brands are doing the same : they try to sell cars with similar 'character' and features to 'corporate-brainwasched global-customer'.. You'll not find tradition, heritage or uniqness in modern cars.. .. and that's what happen when barbarian-money-maker$ are running the bussine$(i.e: music industrie..) Nouveau-riche love 'prestige-logos' on everything.. yeah, I love this §ellout :) http://www.amgcollection.com/category-s/169.htm (Por$che is doing it ass well..:)

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