AMG | Frequently Asked Questions

General


AMG stands for Aufrecht, Melcher (the two founders) and Großaspach (place of foundation).

Mercedes-AMG GmbH is a subsidiary of the Daimler-Chrylser Group. Mercedes-AMG develops high-performance vehicles and customization components for the Mercedes-Benz passenger car program.

Until 1978, AMG was in Burgstall. The exact address was "Old Mill". When the building ran out of space, they moved to Affalterbach. AMG is still there today. A certain period there was also a field office in Oßweil, where the CLK-GTR was built.

In 1990, Mercedes-Benz and AMG signed a cooperation agreement, which came into effect in 1991. Based on this partnership, the "AMG C 36" was the first model produced in series. In 1999, Hans Werner Aufrecht sold his shares to the Daimler-Chrysler Group. Since 1999, AMG is now also officially called "Mercedes-AMG GmbH".

With the exception of the small series and handcrafted models, the AMG vehicles are produced in the respective Mercedes-Benz plants.

The engines are mainly mounted at Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach, according to the slogan "One man - one engine" by specially trained mechanics. From there they are sent to the various plants. Since 2003, the engines have adorned a plaque with the signature of the mechanic who mounted it.

At Mercedes-AMG, the motto has always been: "One man - one engine". Provided with a consecutive number, the engines that were produced before 2003 were assembled according to the same principle. In addition, since 2003, a plaque with the signature of the mechanic who mounted it has graced the AMG engines. Unfortunately, this badge can not be retrofitted.

Mercedes-AMG offers several sports trainings. The participants are trained by special instructors and racers. See the AMG website for more information.

Upon request, AMG customers can pick up their new vehicle at the AMG Customer Center in Affalterbach. For a surcharge you not only get a delivery control with vehicle preparation, and full tank contents, but also a factory tour in the engine factory and the AMG Performance Studio as well as a lunch snack in the AMG Private Lounge.

Technology


At present, no diesel engines from AMG are offered.

A mechanical limited-slip differential is offered as an option ex factory or as retrofit for various AMG vehicles.

History


Hans Werner Aufrecht worked in the development department of Mercedes-Benz. The chassis specialist left Daimler-Benz in the 1960s and, together with Erhard Melcher, founded AMG in 1967 with the target "Ingenieurbüro, Konstruktion und Versuch zur Entwicklung von Rennmotoren". In 1999, he sold AMG to the Daimler-Chrysler Group. Until 2005 he held shares in AMG. In 1999 he founded the H.W.A. GmbH, which deals with the development and construction of racing and road vehicles.

Erhard Melcher worked as an engineer at Mercedes-Benz. The engine specialist left Daimler-Benz in the sixties and founded together with Hans Werner Aufrecht 1967 AMG "engineering office, design and test for the development of racing engines". In the 70's he left AMG.

In the late 1980s AMG offered a 5.6 and a 6.0 liter V8 engine for the 124 sedan, which was literally baptized "Hammer" by American journalists.

For the coupes of the model series SEC "C 126" and CE "C 124" a so-called "wide" version was offered. This possessed clearly flared fenders on the rear axle.

Long before the "OM 612.990" (C 30 CDI), AMG offered two different performance kits with turbocharger for the 240 D and 300 D in the 70s. The project was discontinued due to lack of demand after a short time.

The French Air Force (Aerospatiale Matra) ordered at AMG a performance enhanced 300 SEL 6.8, which developed at that time 428 hp. Aerospatiale Matra needed a vehicle to simulate jet landing on the runways. The SEL was big enough to hold all the gauges, including the suspension of a fighter jet, and strong enough to accelerate to 200 km / h within a kilometer!

AMG's first race car was a 300 SEL 6.8, which finished second in the overall classification at the Spa 24 Hours in 1970.