C-Class [Spy shots] Mercedes-Benz AMG GT (C190)

[rollo]

Looks absolutely stunning in the illustration. But can it really compete with the legendary 911 where it counts most, behind the wheel? If that's the target, MB is definitely setting the bar high. If it looks like that and delivers on the driving experience, it just might be my first Mercedes!

 

[Levi68]

Looks absolutely stunning in the illustration. But can it really compete with the legendary 911 where it counts most, behind the wheel? If that's the target, MB is definitely setting the bar high. If it looks like that and delivers on the driving experience, it just might be my first Mercedes!

BMW/BMW M was a leader in driving experience, but AMG, and RS have caught up, if not even overtaken, just look at the M6 vs. SL comparo. The strong points of a 911 are :
- stearing
- low weight
- low center of gravity thanks to horizontally opposed engine
- rear-biased weight distribution for best traction thanks to rear engine

Mercedes can to that in there own way and even better if they bencharmk a potential Cayman with 991 Carrera S engine. That is also what McLaren's 911 rival, codename P13, is to do. I think that both the SLC and P13 will be "911 Killers" by making the car that Porsche doesn't want to build, for fear of hurting the 911 badge.

What Mercedes should focus on is :
- stearing
- low weight thanks full aluminium chassis and body panels
- weight distribution : light aluminium/magnesium mid-front mounted dry sump V8 and transaxle gearbox

Mercedes could bring up a really good car that would be a Cayman and 911 in one and get a market share from both the Cayman S and the 911 GT3, by being a perfect compromise. A two seater sports coupé weighing ~1400 kg, powered by NA V8 making ~480 PS would be the ultimate daily sportscar. The only "plus" of the Porsches will be the manual gearbox, unless AMG decide to offer their first manual car.

 

[Merc1]

A very tall order, but if Mercedes really loosens up some of their tradition criteria for this car they can do it, match the 911. I just don't think they can outright beat it, but they should be able to cause some media outlets and some 911 fanatics to questions whether or not they have.


M

 

[soulless]

lack of CLA45AMG

 

[Wolfgang]

lack of CLA45AMG

Maybe that's the 2013 3dr A45 AMG Coupe?

http://www.germancarforum.com/commu...brate-45-year-anniversary-tease-future.44764/

 

[soulless]

They write that AMG45Coupe is 2 door styling...

 

[Deleted member 1071]

I can only hope that the new Autocar Magazine rendering of the upcoming SLC is accurate. It displays a flawlessly gorgeous vehicle. And it will thoroughly rehabilitate M-Bs' recently heavily criticized exterior design department. I sense some VERY good things lurking in the M-B pipeline.

 

[NarutoRamen]

^^Though I do like the front. The rest of it seems very CL-ish. So, i'm not sold on their design just yet.

 

[Wolfgang]

I can only hope that the new Autocar Magazine rendering of the upcoming SLC is accurate. It displays a flawlessly gorgeous vehicle. And it will thoroughly rehabilitate M-Bs' recently heavily criticized exterior design department. I sense some VERY good things lurking in the M-B pipeline.

Inspired by Aesthetics 125?

http://www.germancarforum.com/commu...s-the-motor-car’s-125th-birthday.35977/page-3

 

[Levi68]

I can't say if I like or not. I just don't want it to have the dropping line. I want it to be like the SLS but more sharp and more aggressive.

 

[Wolfgang]

^ Looks fairly aggressive.

http://www.carbodydesign.com/galler...25th-anniversary-with-new-design-sculpture/4/

http://www.seriouswheels.com/2011/k...by-Slavche-Tanevski-Rendering-4-1920x1440.htm

 

[MBFanToDeath]

The World Of Mercedes-Benz AMG™

Look at this model behind the new A-Class clay model

 

[Deleted member 1071]

I am beginning to suspect that the gorgeous Autocar Magazine SLC rendering is in fact a good indication of what the next CL may look like. Remove the gills on the front wings, add a smidgen of length to the wheelbase and...Voila ! Well, hopefully at least...

 

[Pagani]

I see plenty of similarities between that Autocar rendering, the silhouette of Aesthetics S and the 2025 vision presented some months ago. So, I fully believe we are seeing traces of the next S Coupe.

As for the SLC, it seems it is taking a Jaguar-esce and/or 300 SLR type of shape. I sure hope it is less boat-like than either the SLS and the SL.

 

[Wolfgang]

The Lamborghini and Bentley SUVs are on hold now, and Mercedes may be refocussing on BRAND, TRADITION, HERITAGE and DESIGN instead of sales, and so may have cancelled some future models, including the "mini SLS" or SLC according to Auto, Motor und Sport.

 

[klier]

Well that sucks.. The idea of a "911 killer" by MB sounded so great...

 

[Wolfgang]

I'd take the 911.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

The Lamborghini and Bentley SUVs are on hold now, and Mercedes may be refocussing on BRAND, TRADITION, HERITAGE and DESIGN instead of sales, and so may have cancelled some future models, including the "mini SLS" or SLC according to Auto, Motor und Sport.

Care to elaborate Wolf? Where is this info from? I wonder what the whole story is. MB bracing down for tough times ahead?

 

[Wolfgang]

Here's the last paragraph from the article translated, Mr. Mercedes.

Smaller Mercedes SLS is deleted
The new alliance, which Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche will announce shortly, is part of the austerity program "Fit for Leadership". Under the program, Daimler apparently wants to reduce not only the production of S-and E-Class in Sindelfingen. Production chief Wolfgang Bernhard also wants to reduce the production time per car from 43 to 30 hours. In addition, Daimler
intends to cut new models. So the little sports car which was planned below the SLS will be cancelled.
Source: Auto Motor und Sport

These Mercedes-Benz models up through 2015 might survive (IMHO):

 

[K-A]

Wow, great, so they're cutting quality by cutting down on how long each car has to be produced. Common sense says that you can't put the same care and attention and detail into a product in 30 hours than you can in 43 hours.