Mercedes-AMG Performance Studio:
Dynamic performance tailored to the customer's wishes

Mercedes-AMG GmbH is consolidating its activities. And with the AMG Performance Studio, the company is starting a new initiative to appeal to customers with very special wishes. In addition to the AMG high performance cars, which are available through the worldwide Mercedes-Benz sales organisation, the Performance Studio develops and produces special AMG vehicles in exclusive, limited quantities. Offered as the Signature Series, Black Series and Editions, the unique special models stand out by virtue of their outstanding handling, motorsport performance, technical and visual distinctiveness and exclusive equipment features, depending on the vehicle type in question. The latest product from the AMG Performance Studio is the SLK 55 AMG Black Series, a purist's lightweight version with a powerful AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine (294 kW/400 hp) and numerous components with technology borrowed from the world of motorsport. In addition to its focus on thrilling AMG vehicles, the Performance Studio satisfies the customers' individual requests, a traditional strength of Mercedes-AMG. To meet this demand, the Performance Studio team makes very specific technical modifications including AMG sports chassis, AMG high-performance brakes, AMG wheel/tyre combinations, limited-slip differentials and customised interior features, as well as unique, made-to-order models.

Given the growing demand worldwide for greater customisation and even more dynamic, motorsport-level performance, Mercedes-AMG GmbH has decided to upgrade and expand its range. "We are receiving more and more requests from AMG fans and sports car enthusiasts from around the world for even more dynamic vehicles, special equipment features and specific components. And the new Performance Studio makes it possible for us to meet these requests," says Volker Mornhinweg, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

The company's decades of experience in building high-performance automobiles and its wealth of know-how from the world of motorsport are invaluable assets in the concept and implementation stages. "AMG has its roots in international motor racing, and our customers benefit directly from the impressive success our AMG drivers are having in the DTM. And our engineers and technicians are constantly spurred on by our commitment to Formula One, for which we supply the FIA's official Safety Car and official Medical Car. In the Performance Studio, we transfer the technologies from the race circuit into our vehicles," adds Mornhinweg.

As a result of its reorganisation, Mercedes-AMG will be continually expanding its range of complete vehicles, components and custom solutions. To start, there is the new SLK 55 AMG Black Series, a special coupe version of the unique eight-cylinder roadster and a car with very strong appeal for purists. With its AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine (upgraded to 294 kW/400 hp and 520 Nm of torque), many lightweight components, high-strength carbon roof, 19-inch AMG forged wheels, AMG adjustable suspension and AMG high-performance composite brake system, the special SLK 55 AMG is even more of a sports powerhouse and really shows what it's made of on dedicated racetracks.

Even more exclusive is the CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet, which will be available under the Signature Series label. The series name stands for limited-quantity, high-end vehicles with a level of technological sophistication that stands out from the crowd. Limited to a batch of only 100 vehicles, the CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet boasts an impressive combination of motorsport technology, racing-car handling and striking appearance. With its 428 kW/582 hp engine, the AMG high-performance sports car surges from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.0 seconds, and its top speed is 300 km/h (electronically limited), making the new AMG high-performance automobile the world's fastest open-top four-seater.

Compared to series-production vehicles, Editions cars stand out on the basis of their visual and tactile qualities and are sure to be in very strong demand. The CLS 55 AMG "IWC Ingenieur" offered in 2005, for example, featured details specially arranged to correspond to the exclusive IWC "Ingenieur" family of watches. A total of 165 of these unique four-door coupe were produced and there will be more AMG vehicles with similar concepts to follow.

The Performance Studio offers tailor-made solutions to satisfy every customer's individual taste. The SLK, SL and CLS-Class model series, for example, can be equipped with the AMG Performance Package. This package is available ex-works and can include, depending on the vehicle, special wheel/tyre combinations, an AMG high-performance composite brake system, firmer AMG Performance suspension, a more sophisticated cooling system, a multiple-disc limited-slip differential, interior trim made of carbon, and an AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel in leather/Alcantara. AMG vehicles also can be fitted with individual AMG components during the production stage or afterward. In addition to the features mentioned, this will also apply to equipment including the especially lightweight AMG forged light-alloy wheels.

And the experts at the Performance Studio routinely fulfil a broad array of other special requests, including special exterior paint jobs, full leather interiors in a choice of colours, leather or carbon trim, and cutting-edge audio, office and multimedia systems. Even extensive bodyshell modifications are hand-crafted to perfection. The result is an entirely personal vehicle that's one of a kind. All work is completed according to the highest standards of quality and safety.

·       Growing demand worldwide for greater exclusivity and sportiness

·       Extensive analyses carried out to precisely determine customer requirements

·       Production of the Signature Series and Black Series in Affalterbach

·       AMG components and customised production for every possible customer wish

High-performance AMG cars are becoming more and more popular in all markets around the world, and the product portfolio of Mercedes-AMG GmbH satisfies the most diverse customer requirements. A total of 16 unique vehicle models are available, with power output ranging from 265 kW/360 hp to 450 kW/612 hp. AMG customers looking for even greater individualisation will find exactly what they need at the new AMG Performance Studio, which Mercedes AMG GmbH is using to provide personalised service on a global scale and with a significantly expanded range of offerings.

Extensive analyses conducted by Mercedes-AMG experts in all key markets have revealed that alongside buyers of high-performance AMG production vehicles, there are five separate customer groups seeking even greater sportiness and exclusivity. There are customers: who

·       1. ...wish to purchase an exclusive, limited-edition AMG vehicle that is exceptionally sporty and clearly distinguishes itself from AMG production vehicles in terms of engineering and appearance, and is suited to serious racetrack use.

·       2. ...wish to acquire an AMG production vehicle that is significantly more sporty in terms of appearance and engineering, as well as being more suitable for racetrack driving.

·       3. ...are primarily interested in an exclusive, limited-edition AMG production vehicle that sets new standards in interior and exterior design through special equipment features and superior optical and surface-feel details.

·       4. ...who wish to optimise their AMG production vehicle for their personal requirements by obtaining special AMG components at the time they purchase the car.

·       5. ...who have a clear idea of the type of Mercedes-Benz vehicle they wish to own, and use AMG components to make their dream car a reality.

Mercedes-AMG developed the Signature Series for customers who fall into the first category. The series stands for highly exclusive limited-edition AMG vehicles featuring a unique engineering package and expressive exterior design like the CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet. Only 100 of these high-performance sports cars will be built. They are powered by an AMG 5.5-litre V8 supercharged engine with a maximum output of 428 kW/582 hp and maximum torque of 800 Nm. The CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds, and its top speed is electronically limited to 300 km/h, thus making the AMG dream car the world’s fastest open-top four-seater.

Customers from the second category will find the car they are looking for in the new SLK 55 AMG Black Series. The two-seater, which is markedly puristic in design, not only offers an AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine whose maximum performance has been raised to 294 kW/400 hp and 520 Nm, but also numerous lightweight components and a fixed carbon roof, which reduce its kerb weight to 1,495 kilograms, according to the EU standard. The SLK 55 AMG Black Series accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds; the vehicle’s top speed is electronically limited to 280 km/h. With its 19-inch forged AMG wheels, sport tyres with excellent grip, the AMG adjustable sports suspension, the AMG high-performance composite brake system and numerous cooling system features, the SLK 55 AMG Black Series is the ideal vehicle for taking some fast laps on the racetrack.

The limited-edition vehicles in the Signature Series and the Black Series are built by highly qualified experts at the AMG Performance Studio in Affalterbach. The range of components included in each vehicle can be defined in cooperation with DaimlerChrysler production plants, where the respective basic vehicles are produced.

The third customer group is less concerned with exceptional handling dynamics and more interested in a vehicle’s highly exclusive appearance, equipment features, and surface feel. AMG Editions can provide the desired individuality here, as the series features special exterior paint, refined vehicle-body details, interior components of especially high quality, and special leather upholstery all of which appeal to connoisseurs of an exquisite lifestyle.

To achieve the highest possible level of exclusivity, only a limited number of AMG Editions are produced. In the case of the CLS 55 AMG IWC offered in 2005, only 165 vehicles were manufactured. The four-door coupe offers an exciting and unique combination of equipment details. For example, all exterior trim elements and the AMG light-alloy wheels are of a titanium-look design, which means they perfectly complement the exterior’s exclusive metallic colour tone in dark titanium grey. The CLS 55 AMG IWC Ingenieur interior shows off the vehicle’s exceptional nature with the Exclusive line of nappa leather in titanium colour tone and the new AMG instrument cluster, whose styling is based on the exclusive Ingenieur family of watches from the Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen.

AMG components from the Performance Studio are the right tools that customers in the fourth category can use to optimise their AMG production vehicle. Such customers can choose from special AMG Performance Packages and individual components. The AMG Performance Packages are available ex-works for the SLK 55 AMG, SL 55 AMG and CLS 63 AMG. Depending on the model in question, an AMG Performance

Package will include:

·       Special wheel/tyre combinations

·       AMG high-performance composite braking system

·       AMG Performance suspension

·       More sophisticated cooling features, including the special AMG front apron

·       Multiple-disc limited-slip differential lock with reinforced final drive gearing

·       Carbon interior trim

·       AMG leather/Alcantara ergonomic sports steering wheel

High-performance AMG vehicles equipped with an AMG Performance Package thus offer significantly enhanced handling dynamics straight from the factory, and guarantee even better drivability on racetracks. All AMG vehicles can also be equipped with individual AMG components ex-works. In addition to the features from the AMG Performance Packages mentioned above, such components may, depending on the vehicle, include:

·       AMG light-alloy wheels built using ultra-light forging technology

·       Carbon exterior package

·       AMG light-alloy wheels in various designs and of various types (including multi-piece), at sizes up to 21 inches

·       AMG sports steering wheels

·       illuminated AMG door sill panels

Customer group number 5 encompasses those AMG enthusiasts whose personal tastes are even more specialised. Such customers receive competent advice from experts at the Performance Studio when they are putting together their dream car. The portfolio here ranges from special paintwork and leather appointments to multimedia systems and extensive body modifications. These high-quality upgrades are done to hand-crafted perfection.

The Performance Studio offers a full spectrum of interior variants, including complete interior equipment packages with leather covering for details such as the rear-view mirror or the instrument panel. Power curtains for the rear and rear side windows, folding electric tray tables in leather trim with wood or carbon inserts to match the car interior, telephone consoles in various material combinations, refrigerator compartments and bars are also available, as are customised audio, office and mobile media solutions. Passengers can, for instance, select their individual entertainment programme during the ride, on two 6.5-inch monitors integrated into the head restraints. All it takes is the touch of a button to select a TV programme in analogue or digital technology or a DVD film from the six-DVD changer. Each monitor is fitted with top-quality headphones with an individual volume control. Alternatively, the sound can be reproduced through the vehicles speaker system.

Mercedes-AMG also offers, in accordance with the customer’s instructions, sports steering wheels, wood and leather steering wheels and selector levers in various types and designs, fine carpeting and illuminated or un-illuminated door sill panels with the AMG logo (which can be engraved as an option).

Part of the Performance Studio philosophy is that the customers should be able to adapt the interior and exterior of their vehicle to suit their specific personal tastes. Extensive body modifications are therefore also individually finished to perfection using traditional methods. The result is an unmistakably unique car displaying a high level of technological expertise, creativity, value and quality. And, of course, all work is completed according to the highest standards of safety.

A particularly impressive example of the capabilities of the Mercedes-AMG Performance Studio is without doubt offered by the extra-long Mercedes-Benz G-Class. This exclusive development from Affalterbach offers outstanding spaciousness, excellent off-road capability and exceptional performance. The exclusive G-Class, which has been extended to a length of 5.24 metres, was created specifically in response to customer demand; only 19 units of the model have been built to date.

In order to provide occupants in the last row of seats with the comfort and spaciousness typical of the G-Class, the body and wheelbase were extended by 58 centimetres. The width of the newly designed rear doors was increased to 97 centimetres, making access to the second and third rows of seats especially comfortable. The extra-long roof is also new, while the entire rear section of the vehicle, with its long side windows, is based on the short three-door Station Wagon version. The two rear rows of seats offer luxurious seating comfort. They can also be folded down separately, making it possible in combination with the spacious rear cargo area to use the back of the vehicle in a variety of ways. Ultimately, confident off-road capability and generous spaciousness make the long G-Class a truly special all-rounder.