AMG-fettled Mercedes E-Class Coupe to favor agility over power?
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery
Exact details are few and far between, but for those that value handling over tire-smoking POWA, this is great news. Autocar is reporting that the next AMG-fettled Mercedes-Benz E-Class will rely on weight-saving materials and techniques, as well as fine-tuning of suspension pieces to increase agility. You know, as opposed to the regular AMG way of doing things, which is lobbing yet another salvo into the breach of the sky's no-limit horsepower war. The next AMG E-Class Coupe will actually be a Black Series model, meaning that not only will there be no "regular" AMG E-Class Coupe (for now), but you really ought to start saving your pennies now. Err, saving your bundles of Grants and Franklins.
According to Autocar, there's also not going to be any Black Series C-Series cars because the limited edition AMGs must be based on two-door models (though we'll see how long that actually lasts). There will, however, be a new C63 – and unlike the upcoming Black Series E-Class Coupe, there will be better driving through more power. The current C63 is AMG's weakest offering with "only" 453 horsepower on tap. The new version will belch thrust to the tune of 500 to 525 ponies. Phew, we were worried there for a moment that AMG had lost its power uber all mind. One last thing: even though it will fit, there's no plan to use the highly lauded seven-speed dual-clutch Speedshift transmission from the E63 and SL63 in the C63. Pity.
Photos Copyright ©2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Autocar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tool 2:06PM (8/06/2009)
Not having an E63 AMG Coupe is really a strange move by Mercedes, considering they have AMG versions of practically every model they produce.
I'm a huge AMG fan. If they announced a coupe AMG I would promptly drive over to my Mercedes dealer and put down a deposit.
The coupe looks great in person. Not so much in the pictures. It is very low and sporty looking.
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Level 2:27PM (8/06/2009)
The excuse they used last time to not having an AMG coupe only on the convertible was to not steal sales from the AMG CLS 4 door coupe, im pretty sure its the same reason why they are not doing it now...
IK 3:37PM (8/06/2009)
you know, amg does a lot of custom work
the models in the catalog are only the volume models
if you are serious about wanting an e-coupe with the 6.2 liter amg engine, you could most likely get it done with a reasonable (~) premium
Paxx 2:08PM (8/06/2009)
I think AMG got tired of Top Gear testing their cars and saying you could never use any of the horsepower. Though this is a sexy looking car that is sure to make my manhood feel 10x larger. Piano black finish for mine thanks.
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Art 2:08PM (8/06/2009)
FINALLY
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phooky 2:09PM (8/06/2009)
How do I make that thing on of the homepage STAY CLOSED?
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Turall 2:21PM (8/06/2009)
The E63 develops 518bhp, not 450..
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xtasi 2:34PM (8/06/2009)
is it just me or AMG cars the new muscle cars? homage back to the 60-70's? Lot's of power (torque and hp). Front bias weight. Handling not a priority... though, it probably doesn't matter for the market of them. I don't think you see many AMG cars at autocrosses.
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Tool 2:56PM (8/06/2009)
Yes, very much like a muscle car.
Fire up the 6.3L engine and it is the most intoxicating sounds known to man. Plus the great thing about Mercedes engine is that they have gobs of torque.
Matt 1:26PM (8/07/2009)
It's a 6.2L engine. The badging is a homage to the MBs of yesteryear. Audi does this too, their 3.2 is actually a 3.1.
MikeW 2:51PM (8/07/2009)
Audi's 3.2 is now a 3.2 (the bore was increase by 1mm)
Redline 2:37PM (8/06/2009)
Agility over power? Blasphemy! Hehehe!
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yacoub 2:41PM (8/06/2009)
Seems strange they won't offer that transmission on the C63 when it will reportedly fit.
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MikeW 2:47PM (8/06/2009)
It is the same transmission. Remove torque converter, install clutch pack. How would it not fit?
inline6 2:47PM (8/06/2009)
If the E AMG Coupe is going to favor agility over power, the first thing it'll need to do is drop 500lbs.
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BigMcLargeHuge 3:37PM (8/06/2009)
I think the first thing they actually need to do is fix the traction control / rear torque distribution.
There are some RWD heavy and powerful cars out there that can put down the power. CTS-V and SLR come to mind.
But the regular AMG's have some of the most intrusive traction control systems under normal driving, and when you turn them off they don't limit slip at all so you do a donut in a cloud of smoke. There is no happy medium.
skablaw 2:57PM (8/06/2009)
Yeah, you might not want to autocross an AMG car, but I'd be hesitant to say that they DON'T handle. Watch the Top Gear comparison of the C63, M3 and S4. The Benz doesn't "win," but you can't really tell me that in an objective sense it handled poorly. It just has so much torque that you have to have a light foot not to step out the back end.
I like their approach, to be honest. I never think "agility" when it comes to MB, and that isn't a slight. I have been on the autobahn enough times to understand what the purpose of these cars is, and that's to rocket down glass-smooth highways at ludicrous speed (potentially going to plaid), without so much as a quiver of hesitation.
I don't mind the idea of going light and agile because these engines are already so absurd that saying they're going to forego some supercharged Saturn V engine with 700hp hardly equates to neutering the car. Besides, Brabus will always be happy to satisfy your suicidal tendencies.
On a side note, though, I really hope that the earlier comment about them looking better in person is true because I'm not sure that these are a step forward from the W215s and W209s as MB's interpretation of the coupe. I still think those are gorgeous cars that will stand the test of time in styling.
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Maestro1 7:08PM (8/06/2009)
If you really take Top Gear word for word on everything they say then you need to take a step back and look at the facts. Top Gear is largely an entertainment show and not a completely factual driving show. Take their caravan trip as an example where they said you shud put your foot down on a swaying caravan - complete exxageration and false but entertaining.
Many reviews of the C63 speak to the fact that it corners well and would even make an excellent drift car. It may not be an M3 but its the best handling Mercedes-Benz to date.
And by the way, it was the RS4 not the S4 in that comparison.
JZeke 3:55PM (8/06/2009)
They really ought to spend some time making it un-ugly.
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P.V. 6:38PM (8/06/2009)
Wow. I'd really love to see that happen (no sarcasm intended).
Also, (this has been mentioned before but) why no AMG E-Class Coupe?
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