Tuesday 5th March 2013

Geneva Motor Show 2013: Mercedes

PH talks to AMG development man Tobias Moers about Haldex and going sideways in the A45 AMG

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If you want the AMG mindset personified you could do worse than spend five minutes chatting with its development man Tobias Moers. Focused, no-nonsense, but with a bit of mischief about him too, there's pleasingly little PR nonsense, even in the midst of the Geneva show stand and talking about his new baby, the A45 AMG.

Moers: "It really is a proper AMG, honest!"

So when we ask him how an AMG can carry half the cylinder count you'd expect and hold its head high his intake of breath and "that's a difficult one to answer" feels like it's from the heart, despite the fact he's had plenty of time to rehearse it.

First, noise. "Sound is important, and when you hear it..." he tails off, looking to the middle distance. "Mechanical noise or electronic, through the speakers?" we ask. And he looks like he's about to punch us. "Mechanical!" Induction or exhaust? "Exhaust, for sure!"

And what about the suspicion about the 'Haldex' four-wheel drive system? "It's a Haldex design but it's not from Haldex," he says. So it'll understeer under power before waking up and sending some power rearwards? "No. It's how you calibrate it. I want the car with the ESP off to have a small amount of oversteer. I want to play with the car," says Moers, something he's already demonstrated to Mr Harris. Effectively AMG's calibration means that in the sportier ESP settings the rear axle drive is effectively preset, meaning you're not waiting for a loss of traction at the front wheels before the rears come into play. Combine this with AMG-specific suspension components and set-up and Moers is confident they've got a properly playful, reactive car rather than an overpowered grip monster all about traction at the expense of fun.

Bodykitted A45 shows how far you can take it

There are two visions of the A45 here at Geneva too - one a sensible shoes matt grey one on relatively discrete wheels, another a more in your face option with aero flicks, a big wing and racy seats. Talk of a half cage and R26.R style track prep seems to have been just that but you can seemingly tune the style of your A45 to suit your taste. Or lack of.

We'll see. And, yes, there's a CLA version coming too. Official!

[Uncle John]

Nice Focus RS wing.

Looking forward to this.

Edited by Uncle John on Tuesday 5th March 11:01

[Ali_T]

Sounding better and better. With a self destructing Evo X approaching the end of warranty, I'm seriously interested in this.

[Maldini35]

That bodykit on the white car is gopping!
How could Mercedes allow that on their stand at Geneva?

I will be interested to see how the base AMG car drives and how much it costs.
Expectations are pretty high after a lot of chat.

[corcoran]

I really like that new A CLAAA... WHAT HAVE THEY DONE TO IT?!

[r11co]

Uncle John said:

Nice Focus RS wing.

I was thinking exactly the same. In fact the whole back-end looks a bit latest-gen Focus (which ain't exactly a good thing...)

[Slurms]

Maldini35 said:

I will be interested to see how the base AMG car drives and how much it costs.

^^^^ THIS is the bit that noone seems to be telling us - with the M135i having set the bar they are really going to struggle with anything above £35k

[strike4A]

From £36k according to AutoExpress' article yesterday.

[BuzzLightyear]

An AMG car with go-faster stripes and a roof spoiler? Surely some mistake...

[Ali_T]

£35k ish seems to be the bets, but the M135i was never meant to be under £30k. With a little luck, it'll be more like £32-33k.

[Si_man306]

Good god, did someone new at mercedes AMG used to own a nova in the 90's or something?

I'm all for stripped and modified cars but this is just plain nasty- for a merc too!

[Schnellmann]

Ali_T said:

£35k ish seems to be the bets, but the M135i was never meant to be under £30k. With a little luck, it'll be more like £32-33k.

I think key question is not just what it costs but what you get for the money (i.e. how much will it really cost after you add options that most people are going to want). I think the M135i has a pretty decent base specification, which makes its price even more attractive.

[em177]

Why is every pic of this car of the rear 3/4 view?

Oops edit, I just googled it. I see why now :P

[Ali_T]

Schnellmann said:

I think key question is not just what it costs but what you get for the money (i.e. how much will it really cost after you add options that most people are going to want). I think the M135i has a pretty decent base specification, which makes its price even more attractive.

I would only add the AMG exhaust and possibly suspension upgrade (depending on the standard setup) anyway. Not into adding needless extras at silly cost.

[Amirhussain]

Obviously the big question is, is it better than or as good as the M135i? Hopefully vids should be out soon.

[Guvernator]

Amirhussain said:

Obviously the big question is, is it better than or as good as the M135i? Hopefully vids should be out soon.

Well it's a hell of a lot prettier for a start!

[il sole]

Guvernator said:

Well it's a hell of a lot prettier for a start!

apart from that rear wing!

[Ali_T]

Amirhussain said:

Obviously the big question is, is it better than or as good as the M135i? Hopefully vids should be out soon.

Well, it doesn't look like a pig being mated , so that's a plus.

[oilit]

its a shame they didnt spend more money on a decent dashboard and sat nav set up than on the bought in bolt on c*** which any t***k can buy from their local halfrauds

Have to say that IMHO looks completely naff - but I guess in fairness I am not the target customer

Have to say if I was in that market I would prefer a 2nd hand focus RS500!

[Guvernator]

il sole said:

Guvernator said:

Well it's a hell of a lot prettier for a start!

apart from that rear wing!

Yes but that wing is on a "concept" hard core version, the standard car doesn't come with it and you can always take it off. There is NOTHING you can do to make the M135i prettier.

[Nick644]

[quote=oilit]its a shame they didnt spend more money on a decent dashboard and sat nav set up than on the bought in bolt on c*** which any t***k can buy from their local halfrauds


They have to leave something to do for the face lift..Standard money making practice unfortunately. Did the same thing with the C class.