Can Two Levels of AMG Exist in Harmony?
The same quality goes into the V6 and V8 AMG models, but does the gap in performance dilute the AMG name?
Fifteen years ago, AMG had a successful run of “55” models. Ranging from C55, to E55, to CLK55, to S55, the number actually meant something: displacement. In recent years, however, the number designation has molded into nothing more than a marketing ploy. The E63 AMG isn’t powered by a 6.3-litre V8 anymore. Accurately naming it the “E40t AMG” doesn’t exactly get the blood pumping, though, so that’s understandable.
Now that AMG has introduced “43” as an additional offering, it got us wondering if you think it’s a serious AMG offering, or merely a marketing ploy to sell the name, but only part of the performance?
CHECK OUT: What Forum Members Are Saying About AMG’s Current Nomenclature
Granted, all AMG models — from the CLA45 GT to the GLE coupe to whatever AMG gets their hands on (Sprinter next?) are tested to the same degree at the Nurburgring. Aslo in place is the “one man one engine” philosophy, where hand-crafted and assembled engines mean you still get your signed square plaque atop the engine cover.
The problem comes with a simple question: why? There are plenty of examples of performance cars that use a less powerful engine in their track-oriented rides, with the Corvette grand sport and 911 GT3 coming to mind. But that’s not the case with the “43” models. We’d hate to think of an AMG model that makes sense to accountants, so we’ll have to wait and see if they catch on.
