AMG, the company founded by Hans-Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher in 1967 is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2017. Here are the main 10 things you have to know about the famous AMG division, a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler AG.
- Over 50 AMG models can be ordered from January 2017 after 2016 saw the biggest strategic model initiative in the history of Mercedes-AMG: from the most powerful production four cylinder in the compact segment to the recently launched 43 series models with six cylinder engines and special transmission configuration with shorter shift times, 63 series models with V8 configuration and top class V12 65 series. In 2016 the sales has reached almost 100,000 units, growing with more than 40%. The strong first quarter of 2017 suggests that the barrier of 100,000 units will fall in the 50th anniversary year.
- For the first time, Mercedes-AMG has been responsible not only for development the AMG V8 engines, but also for the new V8 family of Mercedes-Benz brand. The first vehicle to be fitted with a V8 engine developed by AMG was the upgraded G 500 followed by the S-Class facelift in this summer.
3. As part of the strategic broadening of the portfolio to over 50 models, the number of AMG Performance Centres has increased to over 400 in over 40 countries. 55,000 people worldwide has an accredited membership on AMG Private Lounge Community. No other car manufacturer offers anything comparable. The online AMG Private Lounge was launched in 2006 for USA customers and then the platform was expanded to german speaking community in 2009. The online platform invites AMG owners to share their passion for the brand with other AMG enthusiasts.
4. The Mercedes-AMG GT Concept anticipate the third model series after the SLS AMG and AMG GT completely autonomously developed at the company’s headquarters in Affalterbach. AMG GT Concept indicates the increased performance than can be expected from hybridization at AMG. The 4.0 liter bi-turbo V8 4.0 liter with over 600 HP works together with an electric engine which brings the total output at an incredible level of 816 HP, while the electric range will be 30 km.
5. The most rare AMG production cars were the CLK DTM AMG and CLK GTR.
CLK DTM AMG was powered by a 5.5 liter V8 with mechanical compressor and delivers 582 HP and 800 HP. Only 100 units were built in 2004 followed by another 100 units of the cabrio version. CLK GTR was even more rare with only 20 road variant coupes and 6 roadsters. All the units were built by AMG at the Affalterbach factory between winter of 1998 and summer of 1999, differed only slightly from the race car and were left hand drive versions with one exception, especially built for Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei. CLK GTR was powered by a 6.9 liter V12 with 612 HP and 775 Nm. According to Guiness Book, CLK GTR was recorded as the most expensive production car ever built at the time, with a price of over 1.5 million USD.
6. AMG has obtained the first victory in races in 1971 when the red painted AMG 300 SEL 6.8 won its class at the Spa Francorchamps 24 hour race while finishing second in the overall classification.
7. The plant in Affalterbach was founded in 1976 where the racing engine workshop evolved into a manufacturer of sports saloons and coupes.
8. With 177 racing victories, ten Drivers, 13 team and six Constructor titles, Mercedes-AMG is the most successful brand in the history of DTM and the C-Class series has became the most successful racing touring car in history.
9. Since 2014, Mercedes- AMG Petronas F1 has dominate the FIA Formula 1 winning three times in a row the Constructors’ Title and the Drivers’ Title (Lewis Hamilton in 2014 and 2015, Nico Rosberg in 2016).
10. The C 36 AMG, launched in 1993, was the first vehicle on the market to result from the cooperation agreement with Daimler-Benz. With sales of 5,000 units up to 1997, it became the fist best-seller.
