AMG stands for Aufrecht, Melcher, and Großaspach, but what does it mean in a model name? Today, we’ll be looking at Mercedes-AMG, what they specialize in, and their history.
What Is Mercedes-AMG?
Mercedes-AMG is a subsidiary of the famous German manufacturing company, Mercedes-Benz. It gets its name from two engineers who first founded AMG in 1967. Today, the name is synonymous with high-performance and sporty vehicles, meaning Mercedes-Benz and AMG vehicles differ primarily in terms of power and vibe. AMG covers the sporty, performance-focused corner of the market.
In recent years, Mercedes-Benz also began releasing different trims for its models under AMG Line and AMG Sport. These trims inherited the AMG look and extra features, but they aren’t as powerful as AMG vehicles. If a vehicle isn’t specifically labeled Mercedes-AMG, it isn’t a pure-blooded AMG. AMG vehicles also have more aggressive designs and carry the AMG badge with pride.
Mercedes-AMG vs. Mercedes Vehicles
You might be wondering what the differences are between your typical Mercedes vehicle and those from the Mercedes-AMG line. When compared to Mercedes-Benz, AMG focuses more on performance, tuning and upgrading their vehicles to prioritize power. These vehicles are typically sportier than their Mercedes-Benz counterparts and have tighter handling when on the road. Mercedes-AMG also aims to create vehicles that exemplify exclusivity and luxury, marking their premium presence in the automotive market.
The engines in Mercedes-AMG vehicles are often larger and more powerful than one in a typical sedan. As expected, these premium vehicles also come with a premium price tag, even higher than those from the luxury Mercedes-Benz brand.
What’s really special about AMG vehicles is the engine. AMG engineers handcraft almost all their Turbo and BiTurbo engines in Affalterbach, Germany. They follow what AMG calls the “One Man – One Engine” standard, where each engine receives all the attention from one particular engineer from start to finish. The engine later carries the maker’s signature upon its completion as a sign of the individual care it received. AMG engines have multi-spark ignition to recharge their coils faster than standard engines, creating more controlled and complete combustion. They also reduce boost lag using the twin-scroll turbocharger for faster acceleration.
AMG engines are known for their incredible driving performance and synchronization with the chassis systems. Over 25 Mercedes-AMG models deliver more than 500 horsepower and can go from 0 to 60mph in less than 6 seconds.
Mercedes-AMG History
Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher originally founded AMG in 1967, after years of working on performance-focused engines in Großaspach for Daimler-Benz’s motorsport activities. Daimler-Benz would eventually rebrand to the now-famous Mercedes-Benz name. AMG engines in the 1960s were especially popular among private racing teams, cementing a legacy that continues to this day.
AMG worked closely with Mercedes through the 1970s, culminating in a cooperation contract between the two companies in 1990. Mercedes-Benz sold AMG products through their outlets and dealerships under the contract. The official Mercedes-AMG arm of Mercedes came into existence in 1999, after Mercedes acquired all of AMG’s shares from Hans Werner Aufrecht.
AMG Common Vehicle Features
AMG vehicles have various features that make them particularly enjoyable to drive. AMG offers six engines that range from the 4-Cylinder Turbo to the V12 BiTurbo. They all have 4-MATIC all-wheel drive, making them easy to control on the road. The five unique transmissions with manual-shift modes make AMG vehicles adaptable to the driver’s needs as well. Their composite and ceramic braking systems provide stable deceleration when needed, and they have sport and performance exhaust systems to handle the exhaust created by their powerful engines.
Some AMG models also offer speed-sensitive sports steering for that extra sense of control when driving. Furthermore, AMG’s suspension systems are built to handle beautifully alongside all the engine’s power, maximizing wheel control and minimizing unsprung wheel weight.
Now you know about the AMG meaning in Mercedes-Benz and how it compares to other Mercedes cars. Its history cemented AMG’s place in the automotive market. This subsidiary continues to release high-performance engines and vehicles to this day for both the track and the road.
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