AMG boss Tobias Moers has revealed that all next-generation Mercedes-AMG models could feature all-wheel drive as standard, and that includes the AMG GT, Autocar reports. Engine downsizing is also being considered, as the tri-star brand ramps up development on its brand-wide electrification strategy.
Moers told the publication that the idea of a pure rear-wheel drive system is dying: “Customers have given us the answer, and most want all-wheel drive. Back in the days when we had an AMG E-Class as rear-wheel drive and with all-wheel drive as an option, over 90% chose AWD. In the new E 63 with Drift mode, you have a real rear-wheel-drive car but with all-wheel drive also.”
As for the AMG GT, Moers said: “When I ask customers about the GT, they ask me about all-wheel drive. Regarding our competition, this is the downside of the AMG in terms of usability. People in Munich, for example, always, always ask for all-wheel drive – I think it’s for safety and stability.”
To quickly refresh your memory, the W213 E 63 AMG features a clutch-based all-wheel-drive system that’s able to send up to 100% of engine torque to either axle. In Drift mode, which can only be activated in Race drive mode, disengages the front driveshafts and turns the sedan into a rear-wheel drive vehicle.
Meanwhile, Moers also confirmed that the iconic AMG V8 would be electrified in its next generation, stating “we are not going to push the performance output of the V8 in future” beyond the 638 hp it currently offers. Moving forward, the V8 will be mated to a plug-in hybrid system with an electric rear axle.
The first model to receive this next-generation AMG V8 system is the AMG GT 4-Door hybrid, Moers said, which puts it up against the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid (the plug-in Panamera makes 680 PS and 850 Nm!). The 4-Door is said to make its debut sometime next year.
Also, Moers revealed that there will no longer be V12 engines in the Mercedes-AMG family, not after the S65 Final Edition. “We’re still responsible for V12s – maybe Maybach is going to use them in the next-generation S-Class, but not AMG. Having a high-powered competitive V12 would be a new engine, and in the new times there is no room to do that,” he explained.
Other engine downsizing plans potentially include the introduction of a turbocharged six-cylinder gasoline unit into the next AMG C 63, although Moers’ response was simply “there is room for speculation there.”
As for the SLC, Moers said Mercedes-AMG is unable to revive the Porsche Boxster-rivalling sports car, saying “I know companies trying to exercise approachable sports cars in that £34,000 (RM182k) segment – they are not doing so well. It’s a question mark for the future.”
Instead, AMG is focusing its resources on the next-generation SL, which Moers confirmed will be developed and have its platform shared with the next AMG GT. “We are focused on SL for the future,” he said. “Totally different car – it’s a sports car. The company has been running at full throttle for two years on that programme. It’s a shared platform between GT and SL.”
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Purist will still want a true RWD sports car as handling is just isn’t the same even with an AWD car that is rear biased.
“Customers have given us the answer, and most want all-wheel drive.”
So, I am not sure who exactly you are referring to when you say “purist”. Maybe they are the minority in this case?