Everything new out of Mercedes-Benz doesn’t always reach our radar… that is until the acronym AMG
enters the picture. Such is the case with the new generation
E-Class. Announced at the New York Auto Show, we weren’t too taken aback by the new E-Class on account of its
evolutionary upgrades, including a subtle restyle that begs not to be noticed.
If you feel a little too wet
behind the ears to handle the 514-hp E63 AMG, then you could opt for the new AMG sports package that adds unique items
like a new front apron with larger cooling inlets, a pair of chrome-tipped tailpipes and 18-inch five-spoke alloy
wheels. While the sports package isn’t a true AMG overhaul since the engines in the E350 and E500 have been left
alone, their suspensions have been firmed up with steel springs and their steering sharpened a bit. Cross-drilled
rotors and special silver calipers also portend this package’s sporting intentions.
Inside the cockpit
the AMG treatment continues with unique color combinations and the use of special ARTICO man-made leather. The seats
have been recontoured to provide better lateral support and the stock steering wheel has been replaced with an AMG
ergonomic sports steering wheel.
Despite the lack of engine upgrades, an E-Class with the AMG sports
package will accelerate faster thanks to the 7G-TRONIC Sport transmission, which, when used in manual mode, will shave
an additional .2 seconds off your blast to sixty.
Pricing for the new package ranges from € 4,611 to
€ 5,365 ($5,692 to $6,623 US). It will be available in June, although the fact MB provided pricing in Euro
doesn’t bode well for North American inclusion anytime soon.
Follow the jump for more pics and
DCX’s official release.
[Source: DaimlerChrysler]
AMG sports package for the new-generation E-Class: Upgrade and even more
dynamism for a bestseller
Affalterbach, Apr 19, 2006
Mercedes-AMG is making the
new-generation E-Class even more dynamic. The new AMG sports package combines an array of appealing optional items
(many of them not available on their own), such as AMG bodystyling, more sportily tuned suspension, special seats and
the AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel.
AMG bodystyling includes a strikingly shaped AMG front apron with
large cooling air inlets and chrome-ringed, oval fog lamps, as well as a powerful AMG rear apron featuring two oval,
chromed AMG exhaust tailpipes. New rear silencers help to provide a rich engine note. Also included in the AMG sports
package are sterling-silver-painted 8.5-inch and 9-inch-wide 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a classic five-spoke
design, shod with 245/40 R 18 (front) and 265/35 R 18 (rear ) wide-base tyres. The 4MATIC models are fitted with 245/40
tyres on AMG 8.5 x 18 light-alloy wheels front and rear. Enhanced levels of handling dynamism are ensured by the more
sporty suspension tuning on models with steel springs, speed-sensitive power-assisted steering and perforated front
brake discs plus silver-painted brake callipers bearing Mercedes-Benz lettering.
Special seats providing better lateral support plus AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel
The AMG
sports package’s roll-call of impressive features is continued inside, with sporty and stylish combinations of colours
and materials. Modified contouring of the special front seats means they give even better lateral support on fast
bends. Upholstery in ARTICO man-made leather with colour-contrasting double topstitching lends the interior its own
particular atmosphere. Further specification belonging to the AMG sports package includes the new, leather-covered AMG
ergonomic sports steering wheel, the sports-look leather/aluminium selector lever, sports pedals made of brushed
stainless steel with rubber studs, and velour floor mats with AMG lettering.
Models with automatic
transmission come with the 7G-TRONIC Sport version. In manual mode “M” the gears can be changed using new
steering-wheel shift paddles, while faster response and shift times add yet further to the pleasure of driving the car.
In addition, acceleration times are also shortened by up to 0.2 seconds – for instance from 6.9 to 6.7 seconds in
the case of the E 350, and from 5.1 to 4.9 seconds in the case of the E 500.
The AMG sports package at a
glance:
Exterior:
- AMG bodystyling, consisting of front and rear aprons
- Rear
silencers with a sporty engine note and chromed oval AMG exhaust tailpipes - 5-spoke 18-inch AMG light-alloy
wheels, sterling-silver-painted - Mixed-size tyres, 245/40 R 18 at the front and 265/35 R 18 at the rear
(4MATIC models 245/40 R 18 front and rear) - Silver-painted front brake callipers with Mercedes-Benz
lettering (except 4MATIC models) - Internally ventilated, perforated front brake discs
- Sporty
suspension tuning (in conj. with steel springs) Interior: - Sports seats covered in ARTICO
man-made leather with contrasting double topstitching - AMG ergonomic steering wheel with shift paddles (in
conj. with automatic transmission) - Speed-sensitive power steering
- 7G-TRONIC Sport with manual
shift program and steering-wheel shift paddles (in conj. with automatic transmission) - Sporty selector lever
(in conj. with automatic transmission) - Stainless steel pedals with black rubber studs
- Velour
floor mats with AMG lettering
The AMG sports package is available for all design and equipment line versions
of the six and eight-cylinder petrol models and the six-cylinder diesels, and can also be combined with 4MATIC all-wheel
drive. Prices for the AMG sports package range from € 4611 to € 5365 (incl. VAT at 16 %); the market launch is
scheduled to start in June 2006.