AMG plans 8 new models starting with A 45 AMG

Hot Mercedes division AMG has used its 45th anniversary celebration to reveal it is planning EIGHT new Mercedes-derived AMG models – including a hot A 45 AMG version of the all-new A-Class due early in 2013.

Mercedes SL 63 AMG (2012 onwards)

Coulthard catches 178mph golf ball in Mercedes SLS AMG

Revealed: 557hp Mercedes GL 63 AMG

The models will be developed under the ‘AMG Performance 50’ strategy, indicating that they are to arrive within the next five years.

These will take the number of AMG Mercedes up from 22 cars to 30, and take sales up from 20,000 cars to 30,000 cars. The firm is offering few hints as to what these cars will be, but does say that “the S-Class segment will play an even greater role at AMG.

“The current offering comprising the S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG, as well as the CL 63 AMG and CL 65 AMG, will be extended further over the coming years.”

Another AMG goal, however, suggests that diesel and hybrid technology could have a part to play in these new cars. “By the 50th anniversary of AMG,” sais Mercedes-AMG board member Ola Kallenius, “we want to achieve CO2 emissions of around 200g/km for the entire AMG range.” Both new cars and improvements to current models will assist here.

AMG will still focus on its core speciality though – engines. Indeed, Mercedes has now handed over responsibility for ALL further V12 engine development to AMG. The Affalterbach firm also says four-wheel drive will be used by many more of its models, not just the SUVs. Indeed, the A 45 AMG itself is to get a four-wheel drive setup.

That A 45 AMG will be the car to kick off this “new era” for the brand. It will use a bespoke-developed 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo, producing “significantly above” 295lb ft of torque and still following the AMG ‘one man, one engine’ build philosophy.

It’s a car AMG wants to “take the leading position among the competition” – rivals that include the BMW M135i and future replacement for the Audi RS 3.

AMG already has experience of the A-Class: it developed the front axle, tuned suspension and light-alloy five-spoke wheels of the A 250 Sport and A 220 CDI Sport: the ‘engineered by AMG’ branding helps these Sport variants carry out their role as the most dynamic model series in the Mercedes range.

The A 45 AMG will thus sit well above these cars, as “the most dynamic, most powerful and… most efficient four-cylinder series production car,” said Kallenius.

The intention is to attract younger buyers. The A 45 AMG, for example, will attract 30-45 year olds, much younger than traditional AMG buyers. The “attractive” price of the new super-hot hatch will play a big role in this market expansion.

AMG is growing fast: sales were up 30 per cent in Q1 2012 (and grew by HALF in the world’s largest new car market, China). With its new AMG Performance 50 strategy, it may become even more of a big player – and even more of a significant rival to BMW M and Audi RS.

After all, it already has plenty of awareness: one in four mainstream Mercedes is actually shipped with an AMG Sports package – that’s more than 300,000 new cars!

Mercedes SL 63 AMG (2012 onwards)

Coulthard catches 178mph golf ball in Mercedes SLS AMG

Revealed: 557hp Mercedes GL 63 AMG