45 years. Yep, that’s about mid-life crisis time. Fortunately, AMG isn’t experiencing one. Mercedes-Benz’s dedicated performance division is selling more cars than ever. First quarter sales were up by a record 30 percent, and last year around 30,000 cars were sold. Performance at top levels is thriving; witness the division’s SLS AMG GT sports car.
50 years seems like a bigger deal, but AMG isn’t missing out any chances to celebrate. For the occasion, AMG gathered together its 20 models for a photo and recapped some if its plans for the future. For its 45th anniversary, AMG is entering the fiercely competitive luxury hot hatch segment. The C-Class is the smallest car AMG has yet to touch.
Fortunately they’ll have the goods (and then some) to compete, with the A45 AMG powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 370 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. That’s 175 horsepower per liter. This engine will likely become one our favorites, and it is still built with AMG’s “one man, one engine” philosophy that results in a plaque with the builder’s name on it. Where do we sign up?
“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 A 45 AMG will embody exclusive dynamism and the “AMG Performance 50″ growth strategy” says Ola Källenius, AMG chairman of the board. We still can’t figure out what the “A45” moniker is supposed to mean though….
Anyway, the A45 AMG and other upcoming small Mercedes models will help boost AMG’s sales figures significantly. The brand plans to boost its model count to 30 (from 22) in the near future. Today’s lineup ranges from 415 to 620 horsepower and includes rear- and all-wheel drive coupes, sedans, SUVs, roadsters.
Milestones
1967: Company founded by Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher
1990: Cooperation agreement concluded between what was then Daimler-Benz AG and AMG
1993: C 36 AMG was the first jointly developed vehicle
1999: Gradual integration into the Daimler group began and completed in 2005
2009: The SLS AMG is the first vehicle developed independently by Mercedes-AMG
