I just attended the AMG Driving Challenge event in Las Vegas and it was great. I got to drive the SL55, E55, CLS55, CLK55, C55 & SLK55 all in one day under severe driving conditions. The two shining star of the bunch was the CLS55 and SLK55. The CLS55 handles so much better than our E55. The ABC suspension has been refined so there is less body roll and more stiffness but not sacrificing any of the ride. The steering is so much better were our E55 tends to understeer which the CLS55 does not have that same issue and is quite responsive. The CLS55 has a much throatier exhaust sound and sounds like an exotic auto. In many respect, the CLS55 has answered alot of the handling issues that we E55 owners have been complaining about. The SLK55 is just a blast to drive. It is so nimble and truly can be charactarize as a sports car. I was able to drift the SLK55 side-to-side on the slalom with confidence and not hit any cones. BTW, we were able to chat with the VP of AMG North America and we talk about the new line of motors coming for the E class. He did confirm that the 6.3 N/A will be out next year and a BiTurbo to follow within 6-12 months. The transmission will remain 5 speed since there will be so much torque coming from these new engine. Don't be surprise if the new 6.3TT puts out around 600hp. Additionally, they are also focusing on the handling of these AMG vehicles by continually refining the ABC suspension and providing stiffer setups. The CLS55 manufactered after September 2005 will offer an optional sport package which comes with LSD, stiffer suspension and composite brake pads (package #030 when ordering). I definitely recommend attending the AMG Driving Challenge event since you get to learn or improve better driving skills with all the different AMG vehicles which we completely abused. BTW, there was one participant who banged up a CLS55 against an embankment wall while coming into a turn during a lap run around the track. Bear in mind, these are all brand new vehicles that we were driving. I am probably going to sign up for the Fontana event in April again for the more advance course.

How do we find out about upcoming AMG Events?

Macmtr

http://www.mbusa.com/amgchallenge or 1-866-797-9671.

BTW another MBWorld member was there (Noredline) and he drove in from Phoenix. There was at least 70 people in attendance from all over the country which I got to know quite a few of them which can also be a great place to network with other die hard AMGrs.

Did you take any pics?

It would be interesting to know what happened with the guy who damaged the CLS. Did what happened in Vegas stay in Vegas???

Thanks for the report - looking forward to Lime Rock (August).


TJC

I talked to the same guy, he said there will not be a 6.3TT.

What is the first name of the VP of NAmerica?

His first name is "Rob" and he has such a passion and love for the AMG's that you can see it and hear it. He made no bones about it, he NEVER said "don't tell anyone" or anything like that. He was a pleasure to talk to and did not hold back.

Rob also said Bluetooth will come out in '06 sometime.

Unfortunately, I did not bring a camera but will check with some of the other participants to see if they have any pictures.

The guy who crashed into the wall barrier fortunately was fine. However, the brand new CLS55 was had some serious front end damage.

Here assured me that the 6.3 will come out with a biturbo version which they already have in development. The interesting fact he mentioned about the new motors is that the engine block are not MB blocks which are modified. Rather, they are engine block manufactured completely by AMG from the ground up and not the same block as the regular MB vehicles.

Yes, as AMGbliss has said, his first name is Rob. He is a wealth of knowledge not just on MB and AMG but automobiles in general.

All I can say after speaking with Rob, there is going to be alot of exciting vehicles to come from AMG. BTW, they are definitely going to have much more performance type suspension in the future to match the overall engine performance. The CLS55 is definitely a start in the right direction especially with the optional sports suspension package you can order starting after September 04. I am definitely an AMG customer for life.

Hi all, hey ADX, you guys ever get together Monday night? I left a VM for Ron and never heard anything back. Probably just as well, I fell asleep fairly early.

I also spoke with "Rob" who confirmed the TT V8 coming out in late '07 after the N/A coming out in late '06.

What a great time it was too, Lots of great people there, the instruction was great, and driving all of the other AMG cars was a treat, I regret that I stuck with the E55 on the open laps though. After hearing the reviews of the handling I think I missed out. But I feel much more confident in my car after having driven one on the track! I had almost as much fun driving home, except for getting delayed for about 45 minutes at Hoover Dam. Later in the day, I ended up catching an SL55 who wanted to have some fun. There was a street bike ahead of him, and for about 30 miles or so, we had a blast, passing slower vehicles in unison. Dotted yellows and plenty of room ahead, nothing crazy, just fun! Yes, triple digits. The bike ended up pushing it a bit hard towards the end, he got impatient and passed a truck on the double yellow, unfortunately, behind the oncoming truck was a trooper who proceeded to brake and turn on his lights, he u-turned and pulled the bike over

Anyway, I highly recommend this event for anyone thinking about it. A BLAST!

Noredline, we didn't get together since Ron did not call me back either. Oh well, maybe next time. I am glad you made it home safely. BTW, you also confirm what the VP of AMG North America had said that the 6.3TT will be coming out in 07 so everyone start saving some money for this bad boy.

Don't feel bad about sticking with the E55. I purposely did the same thing last year except for one hot lap in the SL55 for the hell of it. Figured It would be better to see how my car reacts. I'll probably try the CLS once this year just to see how it handles, but would still spend most of my time with the E

I'll post some of the photos I took later on when I download them from my camera. BTW, That shirt they put in our bag was ay too small for a large.

So you pay to go to this thing? How much?

They gave me the right size, medium. BTW, the AMG hats they gave is so much better than what you buy at the MB dealership. What group were you in? I was in the red group.

$1,295 - well worth it.

The track laps were a blast -- also the slalom and autocross evolutions. I enjoyed it all so much that I had to sing a tune:

Got a big white X on the top of his car
Rex keeps his speed in a little glass jar
Racer X on the road, Rex on the track
Little cartoon Nips -- Racer X on attack!

--From "Racer X", by Big Black

I couldn't help singing that all the way home!
NB: I was in the yellow group.

Yellow group.

Below is a link with pictures.

BTW, the VP was not a VP but a product mgr. He really did know his stuff and a great guy. He told me they are going away from a super charged V8 in the SL to a normally aspirated one due to the pedestrian law that is being implemented in Europe. Sounded like '07 timeframe.

Also mentioned a customizing program that will allow a customer to pick any ext. color you desire. Probably see some hideous MBZ's in the future :p

What a blast!


https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....7&postcount=25

Any idea what the new law requires, or how the 6.3 liter engine will change the car to meet those requirements? Seems like the 6.3 would just be heavier (with or without the twin turbos). But I could be wrong ....

He said there is rumor that some mfgs will have the hood at least partially open, reverse hinge like a Jag or BMW (at least the older ones open that direction) in an effort to somehow protect a pedestrian? Maybe bump them off the front of the car verses into the windshield? He further mentioned that a super charger is a large block of metal sitting up high, presumably causing more danger than maybe a plastic airbox. Turbo's may sit lower in the engine bay. Doesn't make much sense to me but...

He confirmed there will be a SL 550 with somewhere around 400 horsepower (new S 500 motor) then a SL55 version with over 500 hp, also non-aspirated. He didn't mention anything about TT but then again, I did not ask. I implied the changes to the AMG motor were for reliability or cost savings and that is when he mentioned the pedestrian thing. Seems wierd but who knows? Implied these changes will hit in '07.

Was there for the second day - Graduate Course. Format was better than last year. Instead of the goofy passing exercise on a course that looks like the greek letter omega, they modified the autocross with longer straights where you would play cat anad mouse with an instructor car and practice passing. The course they set up for the autocross resembled more of a road course than an autocross...very enjoyable, fast course.

The SLK 55 was the definite surprise for me...very nice power to weight ratio, nice balance, much lighter than the rest...awesome on the autocross setup. The CLS 55 was a monster as expected...didn't think it handled "better" than the E...in fact, found it to push too much on the road course compare to the E. (not that I am complaining...it was still a hoot to drive). Still pretty amazingly tossable given its heft. Does sit a bit lower and has beefier rubber...headroom is a bit scarce, particularly with the helmet on. Detailing much sweeter than the E in my opinion.

No S or CL's this year...just the CLS, E, SLK, SL, C, and CLK (not too many of them either)

Had the silly skid car set-ups again...would really rather have a drifting session or a short 8 with traction off, first gear and a little sprinkler action...much more realistic that way!

The big course set-up at Vegas was sweet...three high speed sections (front, back and infield)...the front straight probably topped at 120 or so (really didn't pay too much attention to the speedo) back straight maybe 100 on a good run...a couple of 180's thrown in the mix and a few switchbacks/chicanes.

Hot laps as usual was the highlight...you just never know how slow you are going until you are in the passenger seat with a pro. After that lapping session, I probably could've gone 5 seconds faster on the course easy (Had Derek Hill...guy was really racing...had the car up in the air for one of s curves coming off the front straight...basically jumped the two curves (straightened up the line for those turns, that is for sure)...I am convinced that the motor mounts will crack one of these days on the poor unsuspecting owner of this slightly used E55...several years downt he road

Those of you planning on going will most definitely enjoy the day...another reason I was glad I flew out there for the program since there were only 36 -37 people signed up out of a max of 50 - according to Rob Allan - Manager, Product Management at AMG

Now I need to figure out how to convince the wife I need the CLS55 as well as the SLK55... :v Gotta say, the SL still looks better but I am no longer as smitten with it given that the SLK performs better at a 40-50% discount...

Mos55 -

I think you must mean Derek Bell - 5 time Le Mans winner, right?


TJC

Nope...Phil's son...one of the group leads. The "Racing Guest of Honor" was Tommy Kendall (they had Derek Bell in previous years as guest of honor)