What does AMG mean on Mercedes Benz cars?
By
Vroomouk
This article will explain the meaning of AMG on a Mercedes Benz car and answer the following questions: What is the one man, one engine philosophy? Who started AMG? And which models are sold by AMG?
What does AMG mean on Mercedes Benz cars?
The meaning of the AMG on the back of the Mercedes Benz car Means it is a high-performance version of the standard Mercedes Benz Model. Mercedes Benz acquired AMG in 1999 and since then AMG has been responsible for developing high-performance engines and models for the ongoing Mercedes Benz models.
Mercedes Benz cars are more oriented toward comfort and luxury and many customers wanted more exciting cars to drive. Mercedes Benz cars were simply no match for the high powered BMW M- Power cars. Therefore, Mercedes Benz took control of the AMG, which was the most famous Mercedes Benz tuner in the 1980s.
Today, when a new Mercedes Benz car is designed, AMG designs a high-performance version of the model. It consists of handbuilt engines, and the handling is more aggressive compared to the Mercedes Benz models. AMG also offers full customization to the customers. There are AMG exclusive designo packages that customers can select at the time of placing the order.
AMG has its separate factory in Affalterbach, Germany and hires its engineers to design and manufacture high-performance engines. AMG also sells engines to Pagani and Auston Martin.
In 2011, Mercedes AMG launched its first car the SLS AMG which was completely designed by AMG. AMG no longer tunes Mercedes Benz cars but the focus has shifted to designing and manufacturing its cars. According to the AMG, the power developed by the high-performance engine is adequate and does not require further modifications to increase the performance.
For customers who are not satisfied with the current AMG models, there is The black series in AMG. It is known for modifying already existing AMG models and extracting even more performance out of the engines. Starting back in 2006, a selected few engine builders in the AMG Affalterbach factory were authorised to manufacture the black series engines.
The customers of AMG black models were also briefed about the increased power of the engine and if not handled correctly there will be the possibility of an accident. The Black series showcased the most consistent technology transfer from motorsports cars to the production vehicle.
Currently, the AMG GT black series is the most powerful car produced by AMG. It is approved to use on public roads but underneath the hood is the most powerful V8 engine ever produced by Mercedes Benz AMG. The 7-speed race DCT gearbox is located on the rear axle for 50:50 weight distribution. There are specially designed two large exhausts on the bonnet and the massive radiator inlet is slightly tilted like in race cars for better cooling of the engine.
After the successful reception of the Mercedes SLS AMG, they launched a new car completely developed in-house in 2014 called the Mercedes AMG GT. Since 2014 Mercedes AMG GT was initially available in only low variants the AMG GT and GTS, In 2016 AMG launched the GTR which was the high-performance version of the ongoing GT. The AMG GT is also available in 4 door models.
What is the one man one engine philosophy?
One man One engine means one engine builder assembles a complete engine consisting of more than 600 parts. It is a very unique concept as one engine is under one engine builder from start to end, there is no production line where different engine parts are added one by one at each station.
AMG has only 50 engine builders currently and only 5-6 engine builders are authorised to build engines for the AMG black series. In a day an AMG engine builder completes two full and half engines, and the half-assembled engine is completed the next day by the same engine builder.
Instead of having different stations in a conventional production line, the AMG production line moves along with the engine builder. There are different stations where engine parts are allocated according to central logistic systems. The engine builder instals the parts allocated to each station performs checks on the installed parts and then moves over to the next station.
If the assembled part has a problem, the engine builder moves to the side and rectifies the problem and then joins back in the main production line. After completing the engine build, the AMG engine builder signs the engine badge and puts it on the engine cover. The colour of the badge is silver and there is an AMG logo on it. Only the Black colour badges are installed on the engine going to be used in the black models.
Completed engines are then shipped to various Mercedes Benz factories where AMG cars are assembled.
Who started AMG?
The full form of AMG is Aufrecht, Melcher, Großaspach. Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher started tunig the early Mercedes SL and S class models in the shed at Aufrecht home town located in Großaspach. The modifications were unofficial but they included big bore kits that increased the engine displacement from 5.3 to 5.6 litres, high lift double overhead camshafts and ported cylinder heads.
In the early 1970s, AMG entered the European touring car championship with a highly modified Mercedes Benz S class. Many people were sceptical because everyone thought the Mercedes Benz S class is very slow and only for the rich old businessman.
Aufrecht & Melcher increased the displacement of the V8 engine in the original S class to 6.8 litres and the overall output was almost doubled to 430 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. The result was a total dominating victory in the debut race and overall second finish in the complete championship.
After the success of the modified S class which was also called Red Pig due to its sheer size, Many customers wanted the modification on their Mercedes Benz cars. One of the most famous cars modified by the AMG is W124 nicknamed the Hammer.
There was a 6.0 litre massive V 8 engine in a midsize family sedan with a choice of 4 speed automatic or a specially designed manual transmission. The power output was an impressive 380 bhp and the car was faster than some of the supercars sold during the 1980s.
Which models are sold by the Mercedes AMG?
The model name in the Mercedes Benz AMG family is represented by the alphabet followed by two numbers. The alphabet represents which class the model is based on while the two numbers determine the AMG series. Following are the different AMG series available currently.
- AMG 35
- AMG45
- AMG43
- AMG53
- AMG55
- AMG63
The AMG series 35.43,53 and 55 do not have one engine. They are known as AMG line models and only have AMG performance exhaust with interior and exterior stylings. Only The 45 and 63 series had M139 and M177 handbuilt man one engines.
Other articles about Mercedes Benz you may be interested in
Are Mercedes cheaper in Germany?
Is Mercedes Benz a German car company?
Where is the location of the 12 V sockets in the Mercedes Benz E Class?
Conclusion
Mercedes AMG makes really fast cars and some of the models even hold the Lap Time record for the fastest production vehicle at the Nurburgring race track. If the 45 and 63 series are too aggressive then customers can try the AMG line models and slowly enter the high-performance world of AMG.
