Monday 13th October 2008

AMG CDi

The man from AMG, he say 'torque'

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Less of these in future

Mercedes’ AMG division has announced that they’re looking into hybrid and diesel tech for future cars, the first of which launching before the end of the decade.

The group of hardcore engineers are adamant that the change won’t limit the legendary performance by adding extra chunk to their cars. They’re going to be drawing on Merc’s S400 BLUEHybrid concept and using lighter materials – minimising weight and carbons and maximising performance.

Detractors have said the hybrid tech may blunt the performance; but again the engineers refute this, citing that AMG is about torque – which electric engines develop from standstill.

As well as hybrid drive they’re looking into adding a diesel to the line up, stating that it’s more likely to go in a small saloon. That’ll be the C-Class then…

However, there is some bad news. AMG claim that creating monster engines with 600bhp+ is over, capping the power to (a still quite obscene) 500bhp.

“But how will the cars go eye-poppingly quick?” We hear you ask. Well, AMG has decided that making their cars as light as possible is the way forward. They won’t be Lotus light, but light enough to make 500bhp more than enough to take on the competition. And they might just win.

[Polarbert]

No no no. If I was in the market for a C class AMG. It would never be a diesel version. Hell would quite literally have to freeze over before I'd consider it.

[Lord Snot]

Artical said:

but again the engineers refute this, citing that AMG is about torque – which electric engines develop from standstill.

AMG is about making an engine with a note that would make Thor shake with fear.

Electric motors do not make any noise at all, and diesels.. well the noise is just a horrid clanging, even the cream of Diesels, the Audi R10, sounds awful.

I guess in all fairness though Mercedes are looking at technology that will allow them to manufacture in times of legislation, although I do not think hybrid's are the right way forward.

A few years ago I thought that the Supercharged 55 AMG was the best sound track in the world, and that AMG could not possibly do better.

It is looking as if I am right

Edited by Lord Snot on Monday 13th October 12:48

Edited by Lord Snot on Monday 13th October 12:51

[Cassius81]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it wouldn't be the first time AMG have produced a diesel car...

Wasn't there a C30 AMG diesel available several years ago?

[Lord Snot]

Cassius81 said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it wouldn't be the first time AMG have produced a diesel car...

Wasn't there a C30 AMG diesel available several years ago?

If there was then I have never heard of it or seen one.

Which sums it up really.

[SleeperCell]

Cassius81 said:

Wasn't there a C30 AMG diesel available several years ago?

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/31390/mercedesbenz_c30_cdi_amg_sc.html

[vz-r_dave]

Cassius81 said:

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it wouldn't be the first time AMG have produced a diesel car...

Wasn't there a C30 AMG diesel available several years ago?

I have seen loads of Mercs with AMG wheels and badges and they where all diesel's too

This is where AMG will fail with diesel models, AMG options.

So many diesel mercs have these amg options, why bother buying an amg when you can buy a smaller cheaper diesel and make it look like one?

[danielhodgkiss]

Stop moaning about alternative power sources!

Would you prefer that these companies get legislated out of existence or continue to innovate and reduce/remove the (many) current drawbacks of these new technologies?

[Lord Snot]

SleeperCell said:

Cassius81 said:

Wasn't there a C30 AMG diesel available several years ago?

http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/evocarreviews/31390/mercedesbenz_c30_cdi_amg_sc.html

Woah they liked it?! I stand corrected... although I would still have a petrol.

[iluvmercs]

The C30 CDI AMG was LHD only, and was a "showcase" for AMG, to show they can modify diesels, too.
This plan sounds more widespread

Leave diesel tuning up to the aftermarket tuners. Leave the in-house tuner doing what it does best - making bonkers, affordable mainstream Mercs. (Affordable in comparison with the aftermarket tuners, before anyone comments!)

Darren

[toohuge]

I hate when AMG do this, the engine is capable of producing this much but we have limited it. If you want the customer, especially in this case to buy diesel then it should be stupidly quick and powerful. We have all seen what happens when car companies claim that there is 'adequate' power on hand.

[MrTappets]

Bah! Even an AMG diesel wont be as fast as a chipped 335d...

[Agoogy]

you guys make me laugh so hard... oh the engine note needs to be this, the revs need to be that.

AMG knows that power needs to be substantial, that torque needs to be substantial and that weight needs to be reduced so that FUN ultimately results...
Personally held beliefs and opinions should be respected but AMG, BMW, Audi, Lambo(?)Porsche (?) they're all going there...

head out of arses time gentlemen, head out of arses time.

[patmahe]

I think the times they are a changing, we need to accept that among the customer base for companies like AMG there is a huge demand for a performance car that can also do reasonable MPG.

Don't get me wrong I love AMG's and as trans continental cruisers go they are epic, but if AMG don't respond to customers demands then M-power will, so building a diesel or a hybrid AMG is the lesser of two evils.

Eventually we will probably see a headline 'diesel Ferrari on the way' Audi have started the revolution with the R10. I think the recent fuel 'spike' has paved the way for these cars and if the demand is there then why not? If you don't like it then don't buy it.

[Agoogy]

patmahe said:

I think the times they are a changing, we need to accept that among the customer base for companies like AMG there is a huge demand for a performance car that can also do reasonable MPG.

Don't get me wrong I love AMG's and as trans continental cruisers go they are epic, but if AMG don't respond to customers demands then M-power will, so building a diesel or a hybrid AMG is the lesser of two evils.

Eventually we will probably see a headline 'diesel Ferrari on the way' Audi have started the revolution with the R10. I think the recent fuel 'spike' has paved the way for these cars and if the demand is there then why not? If you don't like it then don't buy it.

bang on, its not about whats best, its about choice... and it seems pretty clear through some engine developers that the 'threat' (for want of a better word) of diesel, only spurs on the best engineers to uncover better and better technology to keep petrol relevant.

revs, noise, power, torque, weight all matter, but in as many variations as possible to create a colourful and broad canvas of alternatives

Then you move on to chassis, looks inside and out, spec, colour, its just great!

Don't try and reduce the choice to one ultimately awesome power plant that can best all others

[collateral]

Agoogy said:

you guys make me laugh so hard... oh the engine note needs to be this, the revs need to be that.

AMG knows that power needs to be substantial, that torque needs to be substantial and that weight needs to be reduced so that FUN ultimately results...
Personally held beliefs and opinions should be respected but AMG, BMW, Audi, Lambo(?)Porsche (?) they're all going there...

head out of arses time gentlemen, head out of arses time.

Agreed. I don't think it's a massive story though seeing as Alpina have made diesels for a while

[chazwozza]

Surely it could be interesting to cap the power and look at ways to make the cars faster, more responsive to drive and ultimately more fun. (and for the eco-aware russian billionaire) more efficient. Through using lighter materials and more advanced construction techniques. Imagine the Mac-Merc SLR with the AMG engine but a 100% Maclaren designed chassis without all the gubbins. How much more involving would that be... As it stands compare it as a drivers tool to the Porsche C GT..

[matt uk]

At last! Maintain the power, but lose the weight!

[Wigeon Incognito]

Well I think it's a worthy experiment, particularly the pursuit of lightness. If it doesn't work out, they can always go back to huge petrol lumps (my preference admittedly) but nothing ventured nothing gained.

One thing though - I'd rather they gave us big power too.

[DamoLLb]

“But how will the cars go eye-poppingly quick?” We hear you ask.......


500 BHP should just about do it! FFS

[Polarbert]

collateral said:

Agoogy said:

you guys make me laugh so hard... oh the engine note needs to be this, the revs need to be that.

AMG knows that power needs to be substantial, that torque needs to be substantial and that weight needs to be reduced so that FUN ultimately results...
Personally held beliefs and opinions should be respected but AMG, BMW, Audi, Lambo(?)Porsche (?) they're all going there...

head out of arses time gentlemen, head out of arses time.

Agreed. I don't think it's a massive story though seeing as Alpina have made diesels for a while

Alpina are there own company though really. More like a Brabus rather than AMG. An M car diesel would be equivilent.