Mercedes-AMG Performance Tour: All The AMG Debuts
Consider the Mercedes-AMG Performance Tour as BMW's equivalent of the M Festival, where these German brands host events to celebrate the achievements of their respective performance divisions.
Speaking about the AMG Tour, it took place at the iconic Kyalami Grand Prix this past week, where the brand introduced its formidable performance AMG models in the form of the revived A 35, A45 S as well as the new SL 43, GLB 35 and GT 4-Door 63 S E Performance models.
Attended by AMG customers and local motoring journalists, Bernd Schneider, five-time DTM champion and Mercedes-Benz ambassador, made a special appearance, and those lucky enough scored a shotgun ride around the circuit in the AMG GT3 racer.
While I can't speak much about the fierce-looking racer vehicle, I briefly sampled the refreshed A 45 S, GLB 35 and all-new SL 43 AMG models around the Kyalami Grand Prix.
Despite the prevailing trend of engine downsizing at Mercedes, the M139 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine is the star of the show here – and for good reason.
Fierce-looking Mercedes-AMG A45 S
Arguably one of the best-looking hot hatches currently available on the local market, the A45 S sees the Audi RS3 as its direct competitor and ups the ante to 310kW and a whopping 500Nm of torque from a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine.
Brilliance is the name of the game here, as the refreshed model leaves little to fault.
With an 8-speed AMG DCT transmission that shoves power to the tarmac via the 4Matic+ system, the A45 S is capable and composed with superb levels of grip for great confidence even when pushed hard around the track.
In terms of performance, Mercedes-AMG quotes a time of 3.9 seconds to 100km/h, but it certainly feels quicker than that.
Aesthetically, Mercedes-AMG has subtly revised the exterior look of the car, courtesy of reworked headlights, an AMG-specific radiator grille, a new, round badge with the AMG logo, a new front apron, a new wheel design as well as refreshed taillights.
As for the junior A35, it uses the same powerhouse but detuned to deliver 225kW and 400Nm, enough to catapult the model from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds and 4.7 seconds for the sedan and hatchback, respectively. Instead of four exhaust tips, the A35 gets two, one on each side.
Take a closer look at the brutal A45 S, and you will realise that Mercedes-AMG has found a workable formula to make not just a fast hot hatch but a genuinely involving piece of metal that we at TopGear SA still hold in high regard.
Mercedes-AMG SL43 Roadster
Page through the history books of the brand's model portfolio, and you will realise that the SL badge is one of the oldest nameplates the manufacturer has ever built.
For one, there's the legendary W113 model that was not just famous for its impressive performance and style but was designed distinctly with a slightly concave hardtop that earned it the nickname 'Pagoda'.
History lessons aside, the new Mercedes-AMG SL is available locally in a sole 43 variant which makes use of the same M139 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit that delivers 280kW and 480Nm or an additional short-term boost of 10kW/150Nm.
No 4Matic+ special treat here; all that power is sent to the rear wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission.
Though other markets receive the SL55 4Matic+ and SL63 4Matic+ variants, the SL43 has everything you might possibly need in a road car, thanks to its ability to blend performance with style.
On the track, the SL43 combines raw performance with GT-like refinement, and while it has long legs, the enjoyment factor isn't ever-present for me. It lacks the thrill factor of a genuine sports car and doesn't make my heart race or my palms sweat.
I am sure drivers will still appreciate its smooth and comfortable nature. It will do better as a fast cruiser than an all-out performance machine.
Looks? It's bonkers, thanks to an aggressive front end complemented by sporty front and rear aprons and four-rounded double-exhaust tips.
The SL43 has space to seat four passengers, including the driver, and the interior benefits from a user-friendly 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster. It's housed within a high-tech visor that prevents reflections when the roof is stowed away. It also has an 11.9-inch infotainment system that can be electronically adjusted from 12 to 32 degrees.
Gone is the outgoing model's Vario roof, and it's been replaced by the lightweight old-school soft-top that can be opened and closed in 15 seconds at speeds up to 60km/h.
Though it may not be an outright performance roadster, the SL 43 remains an impressive car to pilot with solid performance, superb handling dynamics and generous amounts of technology.
It's easy to fall in love with but it is costly at R2,449,500.
Wait. There's More…
At The Tour, Mercedes-AMG also unveiled its new GT 4-Door 63 S E Performance, GLB 35, EQE 43, and I also had a peek at the brutal C63 S E Performance.
Dubbed the first of its kind, the GT 4-Door 63 S E Performance is the first model under the Mercedes-AMG banner to wield the new E Performance technology paired with the existing 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 powerhouse, thus making it the most potent AMG model ever.
Think of 620kW and a mind-blowing 1,400Nm; it's psychotic. It doesn't end there. It's also electric, courtesy of a 6.1kWh battery pack that feeds power to a rear axle-mounted electric motor enough for a pure EV range of 12km.
On the performance front, the GT 63 S E Performance hurtles from 0-100km/h in 2.9 seconds en route to a top speed of 316km/h while shuffling through a 9-speed AMG Speedshift transmission.
Then there's the GLB 35, which is earmarked to be sold in minimal quantities. How many? Mercedes-AMG says it will only sell 35 examples, and each will be powered by the same M139 engine with 225kW and 400Nm matching the A35's power figures.
Though a large SUV, it completes the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.3 seconds while shifting through an 8-speed DCT transmission that drives all four wheels. Each is priced at R1,425,722, and by the look of it, it's a usable 7-seater with impressive space and performance.
From its EV stable, Mercedes-AMG showcased its EQE 43 4Matic, which has the i4 from Munich in its crosshairs. With 350kW/858Nm and a mind-blowing performance of 4.2 seconds to 0-100km/h, the EQE 43 is a new sort of AMG performance car with plenty of tech and luxury. It employs a 90kWh battery pack with a range of 534km.
Indeed, the Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 is not your average electric sedan. It combines the performance and refinement of a traditional AMG model with the efficiency and innovation of an EQ vehicle. Therefore, it will appeal to those who seek power, luxury, and technology in a sleek and futuristic package.
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