4WD AMGs for the UK
Next C-Class AMG will be first to add 4Matic option for UK buyers
You'll not be doing this in next AMG C-Class
He wouldn't elaborate but we think that it only leaves the SLK and potentially next year's 911-rival as rear-wheel drive only (although that's not for certain), given the A-, CLA and GLA45 are all four-wheel drive, as is the S-Class and its forthcoming coupe derivative.
What has spurred on AMG to roll out the 4Matics is the immense take-up for the lightweight AWD system in Germany. Moers told us that where 4Matic is offered alongside a standard rear-wheel drive AMG car, for example with E63 and CLS63, the split is a whopping 94 per cent to 4Matic. As Moers said, "If in a four-wheel driven car it's easier for normal customers to be faster on track than a rear-wheel drive, then it's got to be a good thing."
Downsized (relative term) turbo V8 coming
Expanding on our previous chat at Frankfurt, Moers also came close to admitting the rumoured downsizing of the twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 to a 4.0, also a V8. "Look at China. Beyond 4.0 is getting very expensive for their displacement tax, so 4.0-litre is a good size," he said. Don't think we need to worry it'll make less than 557hp.
Of course it'll be a while before we get our hands on four-wheel drive in a V8 car, but hopefully the C40 AMG 4Matic (or whatever it'll be called) comes pretty hard on the heels of the standard C-Class launch early next year.
Part of the reason i moved to the AMG was for the extra drama, the RS4 was relatively boring in comparison.
That said the RS4 was undoubtedly a faster car all year round in scotland!
I've just stuck winter boots on the C63 this week, if i get through this winter ok, including snowboarding trips up the hill, then i wont be clamoring to get back into a 4wd car.
The C63 certainly makes you treat it with respect, nothing wakes you up in the morning quite like the back end twitching and some opposite lock!
But on the other hand, the progressive dumb-ification of drivers continue. Whatever happened to needing some driver skill and nous to drive fast?
I understand the need for top tier performance models to be faster than their everyday variants, but I just want a car that will be fun to drive at normal speeds.
The fact that I will never, uh, publicly get a car sideways is irrelevant. I would at least like the car to be able to go sideways if I was being brave/ stupid on the road.
yeah, I'm grumpy this morning.
I think for the majority of drivers, 4wd will allow them to use more of the performance. Remember that a good number of owners of this type of super saloon are only buying it because they can afford it, and not because they're necessarily a 'driving god' as Hammond so humbly out it that time. The only difference between them and your average Mondeo driver is their bank balance, and I would say it's unlikely they'll have had any driver training.
Personally, I'd always choose a RWD over a 4wd as I just find it more entertaining and challenging. Modern 4wd cars like the GTR give a considerable impression of a RWD car with loads of traction, but it just doesn't interest me as much as feeling the car moving around properly!
But choice is a good thing....so well done MB!
A fully switchable 4WD/2WD system would be ideal balance for messing about on a Sunday morning hoon, versus pressing on, which lets face it, the '63 was born for.
You really don't need to be Harris to have fun in safety and not particularly sideways either...
It's all about point and squirt or short travel throttle maps nowadays though...
I'd personally be keen on a AWD performance saloon as my driveway slope precludes me from parking a rwd car in the snow. XFR AWD would probably be my choice though.
[quote]Jensen FF chassis number 119/025 photographed in Switzerland 1968 - Motoring journalist Michael Scarlett at the steering wheel. In a fit of bravado, Scarlett decided to drive this FF up a ski-slope. Unaided and with basic crossply tyres, 119/025 drove up the ski-slope without fuss; much to the surprise of skiers.
[/quote]
Good news from MB. It's only taken nearly half a century.
They did keep the 63 name on other models when they went from 6.2 to 5.5 though.
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