Thought it was the Chinese market that was keeping oversize SUVs and big engines alive in these austere times? Not quite. As far as Mercedes is concerned, its biggest and badass-est cars still remain most popular in the United States.
GLK revised but still not for the UK - shame
Which explains why it chose the 2012 New York International Auto Show as the place to unveil the new-generation GL and the V12 bi-turbo SL65 AMG.
The significance of this was not lost on the assembled audience of hacks and hangers-on here, who turned out in considerable numbers to see the above debuts, and welcome a heavily revised GLK (we'll ignore that little fella since we still won't be getting it in the UK).
We'll pass quickly over the GL as well - even if it does now feature a 408hp V8 in GL500 guise, and a substantially more powerful 258hp GL350 turbodiesel. The original was actually the first non-American 'full-size' SUV to be sold in the US, and America continues to prove its most lucrative market.
Moves like Jagger, as dull as Wyman
It was heralded on to the show stage by a marching band playing "Moves Like Jagger". Curious choice, but then the GL always was a surprisingly accomplished all-rounder - and the introduction of new tech means this one will probably prove even more so. Not entirely sure we approve of active steering systems like Crosswind Assist, but better on something like this than a
driver oriented performance car
This brings us to the SL65. This car basically exists because of the US market, where the V12 remains an important status symbol in some quarters, thank goodness. With the two turbos it has no less than 630hp and 738lb ft of torque - enough to make the SLS elsewhere on the stand stop and think for a moment.
No replacement for ... you know the rest
The Chinese, incidentally, don't buy convertibles - because of the smog, apparently. But they do like themselves a S65 limo or several.
We were lucky enough to grab dinner with AMG product boss Thomas Rappel the night before the show, and took the opportunity to discuss the plight of big engines in an eco-conscious world.
The look on his face at the mention of the word "hybrid" is enough to reassure you that the Mercedes tuning division is safe from harm for the time being. Instead the firm is concentrating on lightweight technology - hence the structural carbon fibre pieces in the latest AMG SLs - and optimising the combustion engine.
New SL looks better after AMG tickle
Cylinder deactivation
and its ilk we can live with. Especially when Mr Rappel also confirms that the
characteristic AMG sound
is one of THE major decision makers amongst AMG buyers. He's determined to keep it real, too - unlike some other German tuning arms
we could mention
- though what to do about the
SLS E-Cell
is causing a bit of head scratching at Affalterbach right now.
This got us on to how the one man, one engine philosophy might work with electric motors - hand winding, anybody?