AMG’ recent new models are all offered with optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The E 63 AMG, CLS 63 AMG and even the S 63 AMG have all-paw options (though only in left-hand drive form), while the smaller hotshots A 45 AMG and CLA 45 AMG both come standard with 4MATIC technology.
That trend is set to continue, according to AMG’s new CEO and Chairman, Tobias Moers. He told Australian site Motoring that future AMG models will feature 4MATIC all-wheel drive as a core technology across the range.
Before you shout out blasphemy, it’s a demand-driven decision, with over 90% of E 63 AMG and CLS 63 AMG customers who had the choice between rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive opting for the 4MATIC option. That’s damning statistics that you can’t argue with.
Moers is quick to point out that Mercedes AMG’s latest 4MATIC system has evolved so much that it can now hit all the brand’s dynamic benchmarks. It makes the cars easier to drive, without sacrificing the AMG genes. Plus, 4MATIC AMG models are still rear-wheel drive biased so the fun factor is intact, says Moers.
That’s not to say that pure rear-wheel drive Mercedes AMG models will go extinct soon, as Moers insists that there’s still be room for them within the brand’s future range. Track-oriented models – think the SLS AMG supercar, its SLC cousin and the Black Series lineup – will most likely stick to AMG’s traditional layout.
Up to the recently unveiled S-Class, Mercedes had been unable to repackage its 4MATIC system for right-hand drive models. That engineering challenge will be rectified in the next generation of both models families (Mercedes-Benz and AMG), according to Moers.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
If they gave a button to switch between 4WD and 2WD (either front or back), it will be great.
That’s technically feasible. :) Email the engineers in Merc.
what you have just described is essentially AWD, AWD is not the same as 4WD. in the case of the A45 AMG, power is sent to the rear wheels whenever it’s needed, when power is not needed at the rear wheels, the car runs on FWD. of cuz it’s done by the car automatically without needing the driver push any sort of buttons.
people need to know the terms before they start commenting, terms like FWD, RWD, 4WD and AWD and also turbocharged, supercharged, twincharged, bi-turbo and twin-turbo.
rich people story..
That’s a yay for me ! ..thinking an AWD ride for my very last car (at least for this life :) ) also with uneven and unpredictable Malaysian road that torque distribution tech going to be totally useful for old bloke driver like me..
I think the real reason they equipped all of their models with AWD is to challenge Audi and the RS models
But wait, I missed the last sentence…now its a sad thing for me :(. S-class is what I’m going for
Audi’s quattro is now in its 6th generation if i’m not mistaken and has sold more all-wheel-drive automobile than other marques in the premium segment globally. i think more buyers are into “safety-first” in real world practicality than the hardcore petrol-heads who prefer RWD for fun and excitement and hence the decision for Merc to go for 4matic.
These amgs are for Ah Pek that thought they are very macho. Yuck!!
Then Lexus are for grandpa?