AMG. These three letters spell a legend in the automotive tuning industry. Winner of several titles such as the DTM (German Touring Car Championship) and FiA GT Championship, this once independent tuner of Mercedes-Benz has been the sole-reason for the three-pointed star’s success on both road and track. Bought by Mercedes-Benz in order to gain more control over how their passenger cars are tuned, AMG was feared by many as to loose their unique identity.
Bringing in much needed funding; AMG still continues to deliver under-stated, over-powered cars that have defined their name ever since the company started. However, what makes AMG different nowadays is the wider line-up that the company deals with. Years ago, AMG would usually concentrate on building one or two tuned models of favorite sedate family sedans such as the E-class and C-class.
Now, it seems that Mercedes-Benz has commanded AMG to produce a tuned model of each of the car company’s model lines, sans the G-Wagen. Of course, one may think that this may very well compromise AMG’s image of producing finely made cars. Well, the answer is both a yes and a no. Yes, in a sense that AMG been ordered to use particular engines for particular cars. The company has no say anymore on what to put inside the bonnet of these cars—and because of this, AMG has to develop their cars using only two-types of engines: the 5.5-liter SOHC 24V V8 and the supercharged 3.2-liter SOHC 18V V6. On the other hand, AMG still takes great care in creating their cars—each of these engines are hand-assembled and placed inside the bonnet of each of the cars they produce. Their factory may not have the same austerity as Aston Martin, but they don’t mass-produce E55s like Honda does the S2000.
Having six cars in the AMG line-up, what is a billionaire to do? Of course, buy a copy of each of these fine examples of automotive engineering and drive a different one each day. All of these cars have the ability to go 0-100 km/h at 5 seconds or less, and yet they drive and look much like everyday automobiles—and this is the point of AMG. They never produce cars that will catch too much attention. AMG owners like the power without sacrificing a bit of poise. We are dreaming of course, but if we had a billion dollars in hand, we’d spend our AMG money this way…
Mondays: AMG S55
There’s nothing more satisfying to watch fellow employees gape at the mere sight of a S-class parked in your slot. Of course, upon closer inspection, one sees that this is no ordinary S-class. In fact, this is the AMG S55.
Using AMG’s 5.5-liter SOHC V8, it provides the S-class with something more than mere grand touring grace. It gives this executive luxury car more sports car appeal. This is of course helped by the fact that the S-class was designed to be sportier compared to all the previous models. Owners and critics alike said that that S-class very much behaves like a smaller sedan…actually more like an E-class!
Of course, the engine and the suspension are just the tip of the iceberg, the S55 gets a better appointed interior with improved leather and wood, plus 18-inch wheels that give the car a butch-ier look that makes the car more appropriate for shuttling around Fred Durst rather than Phil Collins.
The huge S55 delivers a luxurious experience and with AMG tuning gives sports cars a headache. Imagine being outrun by a car that’s around 30 percent longer and not to mention, heavier.
Tuesday and Thursday AMG C32 Kompressor
Tuesdays and Thursdays are probably the most boring days of the week—it’s after the dreaded Monday and before the most anticipated Friday. What’s a better way of spicing up these days with a taste of AMG’s newest baby, the AMG32 Kompressor.
The C32 is a break from a tradition that has been an AMG trademark ever since: normally aspirated engines. For the first time, the AMG 32 uses a supercharged engine to deliver 354 horsepower (same as the 5.5-liter SOHC V8; even more than the new BMW M3). With the help of the supercharger, it develops a class-obliterating 450 Nm of torque that even eclipses the Ferrari 360 Modena by 70 Nm and the Porsche 911 by 86 Nm!
Matted to an ultra-slick 5-speed automatic transmission with sportshift, the C32 even is considered an eco-friendly car that just uses 11.3 liters per 100 kilometers—perfect for the everyday commute to the office. However, hit the throttle hard enough, and you can out dash the likes of the BMW M3.
The suspension benefits from a stiffer sports pack that reduces ride height by 30 mm and is capped off with 17-inch mags, cross-drilled brakes and tons of safety features such as ABS, ESP, ASR and the Brake Assist.
As a compact luxury sedan, the interior has been improved with Nappa-leather as standard plus a special sports steering wheel and AMG gauges.
All in all, this car brings the dynamism required for the days of the week when you just feel like you need the adrenaline rush. In fact, bringing this car to the South Luzon Express Way, you’d be treated to a electronically-limited top-speed of 284 km/h! That’s even more than the speed limit of the bigger engine brother of the C32: the E55.
By Ulysses Ang | Photos Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
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