harrower

Guys,

I am attending a AMG Academy Pro event over the next few days. My experience is that at these events in Europe they not only have instructors there but also product managers and marketing people as well. The people I have met at these events have always known the inside scoop/information on upcoming products. While I have access to these people I would be happy to ask them any questions you may have. Please list questions in listed format as I will have little time to edit and compile the questions. Cars to be driven at this event: C63 (have opted to drive my own car in place of the provided car), E63, SL63, and SLS. Will post pics and vids after I return.

Dave

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Roswell

Sounds like a lot of fun Dave... enjoy!!

My question is:
1. Will the facelifted C63 have different headlights & LED fogs?

Sheep

How will AMG handle carbon build up issue for the new DI 5.5 TT engine compare to others (i.e. Audi's)?

KEMA

Has it finally been decided to add the new 5.5 TT to the C AMG and if yes which model year is it expected for?

Thanks

Ken

Jycke

When will the facelifted C-class be available for order?

Cheers

Yuille36

I actually have two questions. How much of an braking improvement does one get with the P31 package as compared to the P30 for the C63? Does AMG plan to put wider rear tires on the new up and coming W205 AMG?

SonnyakaPig

Why did Mercedes underrate the power of the P31 cars and why did they install forged internals? I understand the quicker revs, but I haven't heard anyone describe the difference between non-forged bottom end P31 to be night and day, so what gives?

Edit: Here's two more to consider asking: 1) Do ROW airbox tops make more power when the car is driving? and 2) Do carbon filters limit power compared to when they are not used?

harrower

Guys, got the questions and will ask technical staff from AMG and report answers. So far cool event. Instructors include Bernd Schneider & Susie Stoddart (factory DTM driver and very good looking woman!). My morning session starts with SLS with Schneider as instructor. They will be providing us video and telemetry on our track passes in the cars which are C63, E63, SLK55, SL63 & SLS. Group is pretty mixed with personal cars from Holland (2011 E63) and a couple of Austrians with BS. Factory Conti rep also here so if you want any intel on their tires let me know.
Dave

SonnyakaPig

This is a good thread, Harrower. Thanks for reporting back.

I hope you enjoy yourself. I was supposed to attend something like this event in CA this past weekend, but the scheduling didn't get worked out. I was on the waiting list but I never received any confirmation.

Anyway, I'm sure your having a blast.

Could you ask the Conti rep which of their tires they recommend for a C63 that wants to have more rubber surface area on the road than stock P0's. Do they make 265's to fit the rear? What about the front? Can they safely be wider than 235's?

Even if you don't get a chance to ask, thank you for taking our questions.

harrower

Hi, sure can. Are you running 18" OEM rims? I have SP5s and run 265s in rear and there are no clearance issues and I am on 19" rims.

SonnyakaPig

Ahh... yes, I do have 18" OEM rims. Good to know that you have no clearance issues.

Vegas_AMG

Why didn't they put the correct tires on this car from the factory?

And but don't ask this; didn't MB realize that we (collectively) would be in serach of the additional 50 - 60 hp that they took away at the factory knowing it was there all along??

BTW I just put on the Conti Extreme DW's I like so far, very grippy.

harrower

Guys, just a short note. The next new car will be the SLX which will be getting a new 5.5L engine - same block as the new TT but without Turbos. The C-class couple is out in Nov in Germany and the TTwill be in the C in 2012 later in that model year. On tires they know 255 just cut it. They are looking at making 265 Conti standard in Europe, but US gets Yokohama!

I will post pics later tonight. The SLS is a amazing car and abolsutely brutal on the track! Amazing machine!

hhughes1

Projected power for the TT in C63 form??? Does this also mean that the MCT will be included to handle the torque?

Thanks a bunch for providing access to this information jackpot!

Must be a great venue.....enjoy!

SonnyakaPig

Great updates. Thank you very much.

Roswell

Great infos David!! And props for having the chance to track an SLS... I can see your big smile while red lining the beast... hahaha!

GHAZAN

I thought TT weren't going in Cclasses until >2013. Sounded like they wanted to keep them NA, maybe detuned from factory with MCT coming sooner or at the same time 2012/13.

harrower

That was the original plan but market pressure from US is pushing them. AMG sells more than 50% if it cars in the US and the feedback from dealer network is that people are holding back on C-class purchases until they put in 5.5TT. So they realize that they will only get 2 year or less of getting the premium $ for the 5.5TT in the more expensive models.

Hans Delbruck

Maybe I am in the minority, but I don't want a twin turbo AMG. I love the n/a 6.2l.

Q: Any chance they will put out some kind of final edition C63 with 520HP?

GHAZAN

I agree. 6.3 NA with MCT would be perfect for me.

Dark_Knight

so this is the last year of the 6.2 N/A motor for the C63

JamE55

harrower,

Hope you are still able to ask this question.

What is the replacement for the discontinued CLK 63 Black Series?

Thanks

transferred

I'd rather have a dual clutch box than a christmas tree front end...

harrower

Here is their thinking as of now. Projected power for TTM157in C will be 508-520 base and the MCT will be included. It will be the same motor but just slighty detuned version which is going in the S63. They will also offer PP-type upgrade (probably TCU mods) which will get you closer to the 540 range. Expect 265s to be standard and even option for cer brakes. BUT, and this is important. ECUs from 2012 forward will be completely locked out - fully encrypted so it will be impossible to redo maps on the new version of ECU. Guess they are a little pissed at all the moding going on and the loss in $ they could have had.
Here is the sweet news to all...they are considering a BS version of the C63 - expect the same premium pricing as in other BS - if you look at my pics in the thread Pics and Vids from AMG Academy and take a look at some of the matte finished instructor cars you will see some hints of what this might look like to a degree. Seats/console/roll-cage/gutted trunk etc etc. A mix of DD/track ready machine...he would not give possible decision if they will make, but promised to let me know when they do.

harrower

see answer above. No CLK but they are looking at C-class or even a E-series. They realize 60% of the demand for BS come from outside of Europe and C sells more in US than anywhere else, so they are letting market drivers make the decision. I would bet (based on the smile of the AMG reps face when I pushed him on C BS) that they will make a c series next.