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Enter the Rumormill: AMG considering diesel power
The terms "performance" and "diesel" used to be mutually exclusive, but times, they are a-changin'. Audi's dominance of LeMans with its R10 TDI and the recent unveiling of the R8 V12 TDI concept might be giving Mercedes a reason to turn towards oilburners for some of its high-po offerings. AMG has made a name for itself by providing, among other things, torque-rich engines that sometimes have to be electronically limited due to their tire (and differential) decimating potential. AutoExpress supposedly has it on good authority that plans are in the works to offer diesel models with an AMG badge, but both Mercedes and AE failed to provide any details about what vehicles or engines would be used. It might be a forgone conclusion that new CAFE standards in the U.S. are causing automakers to rethink their performance offerings, but in the meantime, we're going to throw this in the rumormill and see what comes out the other end.
[Source: AutoExpress]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Frat Stud 11:42AM (1/25/2008)
People at my high school switched to diesel power all the time. It was no big deal.
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Guenther 11:45AM (1/25/2008)
AMG offerings have sertainly come a long way ion the last decade- I remember when the C36 was quick. Now they have C63?!?!?!
If you look at what mild Brabus tuning can do for the current stable of MB diesels, I think there's definitely potential for AMG to do the same thing in-house.
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Paul H. 11:48AM (1/25/2008)
AMG already offered a diesel offering in the form of the C30 CDI AMG. Of course, this wasn't offered in the U.S.
http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/31390/mercedesbenz_c30_cdi_amg_sc.html
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lovice 11:57AM (1/25/2008)
Yeah, that's what I thought.
I mean AMG has never offered diesel power in the states. But it doesn't mean AMG has never offered diesel power else where!
zamafir 12:00PM (1/25/2008)
@lovice - yup, and considering how diesel outsells petrol in the luxury market in europe it wouldnt make any sense not too.
EJ25RUN 12:35PM (1/25/2008)
DEISEL POWAH!!!!
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John Johnson 12:53PM (1/25/2008)
First it was AMG, then came AMG Black Edition, now are we getting ready for AMG Green Edition?
At the very least, it can produce GOBS of torque. Most Merc drivers won't really want to do 200MPH, but sometimes they want to squash that pesky M5 at the light.
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lovice 2:51PM (1/25/2008)
You should really say first the normal AMG, then the diesel AMG, finally the black edition AMG.
Coz AMG introduced their first ever diesel AMG in Merc's C-Class Sport Coupe years ago. Again like I said earlier just because you guys don't have the C-Class Sport C-Class Sport Coupe in the states, it doesn't mean AMG hasn't done diesel power before!
Just google 'C-Class Sport Coupe C30 CDI AMG', you'll see...
jgp 5:15PM (1/25/2008)
Blue Series!!
J.Crew 12:53PM (1/25/2008)
Nice job AMG - following the new leader in German high performace - AUDI!
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sledge 12:58PM (1/25/2008)
As mentioned earlier in the comments, AMG sold a C30CDI model way back in 2003. So they were obviously ahead of the competition! :-P
J.Crew 5:57PM (1/25/2008)
So what you are saying is that they had the ball and then dropped it. They only offered it in Europe as well. : P
lovice 6:42PM (1/25/2008)
No, Merc/AMG never dropped it. It was only stopped when the current C-Class Sport Coupe production ended. But, the all new C-Class Coupe will be introduced later this year.
The only reason that C-Class Sport Coupe C30 CDI AMG was not on sale in the sates is because the whole C-Class Sport Coupe range was never introduced in the US market.
So to answer your comment, yes, Merc/AMG did have the ball to sell a diesel version of AMG before.
No, they never dropped the diesel AMG since they introduced it (only in the process of replacing the whole C-Class Sport Coupe range).
And finally yes, the only diesel AMGs were only sold outside North America. But it's only because the whole C-Class Sport Coupe range was never introduced in the states at the first place!
J.Crew 7:37PM (1/25/2008)
Very interesting and all valid points. I still think Audi is now wearing the crown for performance diesels based on their LeMans wins and the R8 TDI I saw yesterday in Detroit. Benz may have been first, but it was hardly known outside of the Euro market. Audi is pushing the limits with their diesel powertrains and paving the way in changing North American consumers perceptions about diesels by racing and winning with the technology.
I may go that route my next purchase as I like diesel torque and fuel economy.
Jonny 1:58PM (1/25/2008)
Lazy sounding engines, those diesels are
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lovice 2:55PM (1/25/2008)
I understand what you mean when you say all diesel engine you've tried sounded lazy.
But how the hell do you know the future AMG diesel power sounds lazy?!
Have you driven one yet? Have heard one yet?
Oh wait, it's not even on the market yet!
So what's your point?
Jonny 2:58PM (1/25/2008)
Wow, taking my comment seriously are ya?
That was a quote from the announcer at the Long Beach Grand Prix when the ALMS diesel-powered Audis went by..
I thought it was funny and this post reminded me of it
jeesh
lovice 6:26PM (1/25/2008)
Sorry, didn't get it.
My fault...
James 8:06PM (1/25/2008)
The C30 CDI AMG was a monster; i think it was a 5 cylinder with 231bhp/389 lb-ft. it got nearly 40mpg and could hit sixty in the low 6's... nice car, rather uncommon but I bet it'd be fun... and imagine it with an engine remap done! wooo torques!
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RLQ 5:23PM (1/25/2008)
Sweet.
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