For a century now, the name Mercedes-Benz has been associated with some of the best cars in the world. And the most outstanding of them are prepared at AMG, a small enterprise that will soon turn 50 years old. Which cars brought worldwide fame? German mark– further in the review.
In the 1950s Mercedes-Benz company left motorsport. And in 1967, two engineers opened their own business in a small garage. They started “tuning” serial cars and they succeeded quite well in this. The best of their cars often don't stand out from the crowd, but they're capable of more than some supercars. The name AMG has become synonymous high performance and world-class innovation. This required years of work, during which outstanding sports models were created.
1. Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8 (1971)
AMG's first success was the racing Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.8, which was nicknamed the "Red Pig". The car was prepared for touring car racing against smaller and lighter cars. Alfa Romeo, BMW, Opel, Ford.
AMG took a big one executive sedan and increased the volume of the 8-cylinder engine from 6.3 to 6.8 liters. As a result, the engine began to produce power up to 428 hp. and torque up to 610 N m.
In 1971, the car took part in the race for the first time, where it amazed everyone, immediately winning in its class. The "Red Pig" became famous as "the most fast sedan in the world". The car accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, and its maximum speed– 265 km/h.
2. Mercedes-Benz 300SL AMG (1974)
The next high-profile project from AMG is the improved Mercedes-Benz 300SL. Basic sports coupe with gullwing doors, considered a classic these days, it took a year to rework. The inline 6-cylinder engine was replaced with a 4.5-liter V8, almost every body panel was changed, and a new interior was installed.
3. Mercedes-Benz 190E AMG (1984)
In the early 1980s, the popularity of the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) began to grow and Mercedes-Benz decided to create its own racing car on the base compact sedan 190E. The order for the main, “branded” cars went to Cosworth, and AMG began making cars for private teams, and quite successfully. Moreover, for the production 190E they have developed an AMG Power Pack, which allows increasing power by an additional 30 Horse power.
4. Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse W124 “Hammer” (1986)
By the mid-1980s, AMG's fame had grown so much that Mercedes-Benz began to treat the "tuning" company as its own department. In 1986, AMG introduced sedan E-Class, turned into sport car with a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 385 hp. The car became known as “The Hammer”, accelerated to 300 km/h and could compete with the best of supercars. Acceleration to 100 km/h took only 5 seconds, and this is spacious car With luxurious salon and a huge trunk. Such tuning did not go unnoticed and AMG became one of the leaders in the field of improving car performance.
5. Mercedes-Benz C36 AMG (1993)
In 1990, AMG officially merged with Mercedes-Benz and began creating its first production car based on C-Klasse W202. New model The 1993 C36 was a response to the introduction of its competitor, the BMW M3 E36.
The tuned inline-6 engine produced 276 horsepower, 36 more than the M3. The C36 was also the first "pumped up" Mercedes-Benz model in several decades. An impressive 5,221 C36s were built between 1993 and 1997.
6. Mercedes-Benz SL73 AMG (1999)
Externally, the SL73 looked almost an exact copy the regular SL-Klasse roadster, but under the hood was a huge 7.3-liter V12 developing 525 horsepower. In two years, only 85 SL73 AMG cars were assembled, one of which was owned by Horatio Pagani, creator of the Pagani Zonda.
7. Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR (1997)
With an eye on racing in the FIA GT series, Mercedes-Benz and AMG have embarked on yet another joint project. The result was the CLK GTR, the German company's first supercar and, at the time, the most expensive car in the world. He stood out incredible speed(330 km/h) and advanced technologies. The car was a stunning success FIA racing GT and 24 Hours of Le Mans.
8. Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG (1999)
AMG is renowned for its ability to squeeze the most out of any Mercedes-Benz model, but it was the G55 that showed just how crazy things can get german cars. The famous G-Klasse SUV was equipped with an improved suspension, stronger brakes and a 5.4-liter 500-horsepower V8 engine.
The result was a 2.5-ton Jeep that had more power than the Ferrari 360 Stradale, and which accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 5 seconds. The “pumped up” Gelaendewagen G63 and G65 models are still produced, including those with a 6.0-liter 612-horsepower V12.
9. Mercedes-Benz SLS 63 AMG (2010)
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a car that is notable for several reasons. The gullwing doors and rounded tail are reminiscent of the 300SL from the 1950s, and the 6.3-liter V8 engine is the first engine built from scratch by AMG. The model was produced for 4 years and during this Mercedes-Benz time became an equal competitor for Ferrari and Porsche.
10. Mercedes-AMG GT3 (2016)
Newest Mercedes-AMG development GT3 is specially tuned for racing requirements. Like previous models Mercedes-AMG GT, the car received a lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber body and a new 6.2-liter V8 engine. It's a serious competitor to the Porsche 911 GT3, as well as an attractive road car.
German Mercedes-Benz cars known not only high power And high speed. The company also cares about the environment. Also, cars with a “sight” on the hood are consistently included in the ratings.
The annual Geneva International Motor Show is one of the five leading automobile shows in the world. One of the most anticipated events is the premiere of the new brainchild of Mercedes-Benz - GLC Coupe.
On the eve of the opening of the exhibition ( from 3 to 13 March) we decided to do small excursion into the history of the motor show and introduce our readers to the greatest innovations from Mercedes-Benz presented in Geneva since 1924.
Benz stand at the Geneva International Motor Show, 1924
The first Mercedes-Benz stand after the merger of Daimler and Benz, 1926
Elegance on wheels: Mercedes-Benz stand at the Geneva Motor Show, 1928
Success: Mercedes-Benz stand attracts everyone's attention at the exhibition, 1950
Vehicles of interest: Mercedes-Benz at the Geneva Motor Show, 1952
Model range: Mercedes-Benz 170 s, 220 and 300 (from left to right), 1952
A stunning success: Mercedes-Benz presented a fire truck with a rotating ladder at an exhibition, 1954
Trendsetter: Mercedes-Benz 220 Ponton, 1954
Quality cars from Germany: Mercedes-Benz displays the 300 and 190 SL, 1954
Spotlight: the big Mercedes-Benz Coupe at the 31st Geneva Motor Show, 1961
Power under the hood: Mercedes-Benz Coupe at an exhibition, 1968
Eye-catching: experimental model of the Mercedes-Benz 111, 1970
Magnetic effect: presentation of the S-Class and SL at the Geneva International Motor Show, 1973
Safety comes first: at the 1974 Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz presented a wrecked car with the surviving passenger compartment, as well as the ESV 22, an experimental safety vehicle
Engines and technology: motor show in 1975
Roomy: the first estate car from Mercedes-Benz S 123 series, 1978
Sports car success: luxury sports car coupe becomes the main attraction of the exhibition, 1980
Clear structure: presentation of Mercedes-Benz at the Geneva Motor Show, 1981
The beginning of a new era: Mercedes-Benz 190 (Baby Benz) was exhibited together with the 123 Series and S-Class (W126) models in Geneva, 1983
Compact dynamism: Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16 at the Geneva Motor Show, 1984
Interesting for young people and older people: the Mercedes-Benz 300 D was presented to the public at an exhibition in 1985
In the ranks: Mercedes-Benz at the Geneva International Motor Show, 1987
Spotlight: Mercedes-Benz SL (R129) at the 1989 Geneva Motor Show
Powerful: long wheelbase version of the Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL (S-Class, W140) at the 1991 show
World premiere: Mercedes-Benz presented a design development with four headlights, 1993
Focused on the future: the concept car presented at the exhibition in 1996 formed the first impression of the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class
New model: Mercedes-Benz presented the A-Class at the 1997 Geneva Motor Show
Variety: from A-Class to SL - Mercedes-Benz presented the entire model range, 1998
Pleasant atmosphere: Mercedes-Benz always welcomes visitors to the Geneva International Motor Show with a stand with a special architectural design, 1998
World premiere: Mercedes-Benz CLK, 1998
Question: How do you see the future of cars? Answer: self-confident, like CL. New coupe from Mercedes-Benz, 1999
Appealing to all senses: that was the company's motto at the 2000 exhibition. Mercedes-Benz presented the E-Class, CL, CLK, SLK and SL
Unflagging interest: The A-Class also attracted huge crowds at the 2001 Geneva Motor Show
Closest neighbors: Mercedes-Benz presented its new products next to Chrysler and Jeep, 2002
Under one roof: Mercedes-Benz and Smart presented their model ranges side by side at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show
Puzzle: Using a sophisticated stand design, Mercedes-Benz answered mobility questions, 2003
Aesthetic appeal: Mercedes-Benz on display, 2004
Attractive: the Mercedes-Benz stand at the Geneva Motor Show has always attracted crowds, 2005
In the spotlight: Mercedes-Benz, 2005
Here you will learn a little more.
As is known, Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler invented the car, truck and motorcycle, so Mercedes-Benz likes to point out that they know how to make cars better than anyone else. Today we remembered the significant creations of the Stuttgart people.
To put it mildly, this is not the most advanced car. And not the fastest, and not the most comfortable. And it appeared even before the merger of Mercedes and Benz. And in appearance it was not much different from a stroller. But there is one very important nuance- This is the first car in the world. It is the Patent Motorwagen (the name itself means “motor trolley patent”) that allows Stuttgartians to proudly say that they invented the automobile.
The drive supercharger, or simply compressor, is the component that set Mercedes-Benz apart from other manufacturers, because Stuttgart cars suddenly became the fastest and most powerful in all of Europe. The compressor Mercedes-Benz 500 and 700 again brought the brand to the forefront in the world, and the most luxurious and desirable among them was the 540K (W29) with a roadster body.
Its 5.4-liter inline 8-cylinder engine produced 180 hp, which allowed it to accelerate to 170 km/h - a huge speed by the standards of 1936. Moreover, the supercar of the late 30s reached 160 km/h in just 1/4 mile! And this despite the weight of 2.3 tons.
Moreover, this is the most dear Mercedes-Benz in history - Formula 1 promoter Bernie Ecclestone paid a fantastic $11,770,000 for it in 2011! What is this money for? Firstly, for beauty, and secondly, for exclusivity - after all, only 25 roadsters were built.
Mercedes-Benz 600 (W100). It is now that Daimler AG is forced to use the Maybach brand to enter the ultra-luxury segment, but from 1963 to 1981 the most cool car the world was a Mercedes-Benz without any sub-brands. Four- and six-door sedans, limousines and landaulets 600 Grosser Mercedes (W100) became a living symbol of the time when cars with a three-pointed star stood on a par with Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
The W100 impressed not only with its solid appearance and size, but also technical excellence. Air suspension, hydraulic drive windows, hatch, trunk lid and even doors, V-shaped 8-cylinder M100 6.3 engine with mechanical injection producing 250 hp. and with a torque of 500 Nm, a 4-speed automatic, Mercedes-Benz looked like an alien from another planet compared to the conservative Rolls-Royce.
It is not surprising that there was practically not a single dictator, billionaire, drug dealer or monarch in the world (with the exception of the Queen of England, who, for obvious reasons, preferred a Rolls-Royce) who did not have a W100 in his garage. And for the Pope they even released a car with a throne instead of a back seat.
There is no more successful large roadster in the world than the Mercedes-Benz SL, and almost every generation of the model has made history. The very first SL was a 300SL Gullwing sports car without a roof and original doors, it immediately became popular, the second generation - the legendary Pagoda - turned out to be even more successful, but it was the third generation with the factory index R107 that finally conquered the world and destroyed all competitors.
It was equipped with in-line six-cylinder engines of 2.8 and 3.0, as well as V8 of 3.5, 3.8, 4.2, 4.5, 5.0 and 5.6 liters. The third generation roadster was produced from 1972 to 1989 - only the G-Class remained on the assembly line longer in the history of the brand! Moreover, the loyalty of roadster buyers was so great that it remained on the assembly line even when in 1981 the C107 platform coupe gave way to the more modern C126.
While the R107 remained in production, the W114 sedan, on the platform of which it was built, was replaced by the W123, and then it was replaced by the W124! Yes, yes, despite the letter S in the name, the roadster was built on the basis of the then E-class. In just 18 years, 237,287 roadsters were built.
Comfort, status, highest quality performance, indestructibility and Hi-tech, – this is exactly what Mercedes-Benz was like in the 1970s and 1980s. And the absolute embodiment of these qualities was the W123, which brought them to the masses. In Stuttgart they were just beginning to think about creating more compact models, and there was no talk of a decrease in quality.
The 123rd was a dream and a symbol of success in life for any European, a symbol of German thoroughness and quality. German taxi drivers even went on strike, demanding continued production of the model! Perhaps it was the W123 that became the latest Mercedes-Benz with million-ton engines.
Despite the fact that the E-class in the body of W124 and the C-class in the body of W203 were a little short of the result of the W123, this particular car is the most popular Mercedes-Benz in history - from 1976 to 1985, 2,696,514 sedans, station wagons and coupes found their buyers.
There have been many failures in the history of the Stuttgart brand, but only once did it lead to the appearance of one of the most legendary cars V history of Mercedes-Benz– SUV W460. The Geländewagen was originally developed for the Iranian army by order of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, but in 1979 the Islamic revolution occurred in the country and the order was cancelled.
For the Bundeswehr, the G-Wagen turned out to be expensive, and the Germans had to urgently think about how to sell the SUV to civilians. In 1990, the G-Classe was divided into two families: the spartan W461 and the more luxurious W463. So Geländewagen together with Range Rover can be considered one of the creators of the luxury SUV segment.
Over time, V8 and even V12 appeared under the hood, AMG versions were added to the range, and the German army was honored to find a budget for the purchase Mercedes SUVs. The G-Class was hopelessly outdated 20 years ago; several times the model was already going to be retired, but a successful restyling in 2012 raised demand to the skies.
The S-class in the W126 body has not become so much in Russia significant car, like its followers, but in the history of the brand this particular executive sedan has forever remained the best. Yes, it did not have a V12, a 7.0-liter engine and a Pullman version, but it was in this generation that its glory flagship Mercedes reached its zenith.
W126 was offered with four straight sixes volumes of 2.6, 2.8, 3.0 and 3.5 liters, V8 3.8, 4.2, 5.0 and 5.6, as well as with turbodiesels 3.0 and 3.5. The S-Class also received a version with an extended wheelbase. W126 is one of the first cars developed according to modern standards - crash tests, air purging wind tunnel. By the way, it was on it that ABS appeared for the first time in history.
The most reliable, the most comfortable, the most advanced and, most importantly, the most popular - from 1982 to 1991, the W126 sold 818,046 copies. For comparison, the second most popular S-Class in history is the W221, which was purchased by... only 516,000 customers!
Of course, it was not only the strong that led to such success. Mercedes-Benz sides, but also the weakness of competitors. The BMW 7-Series in the 1980s was still a fairly modest car, all Lexus brand was only in plans, and Audi had not yet gained the strength to enter the executive segment, so successful people there was simply no choice on both sides of the ocean.
1st place: 4-door sedan. The main and most obvious advantage of such a body is a saving of at least 100,000 rubles compared to other modifications. That is why we put the sedan in first place, although in terms of space on the sofa and cargo capabilities it is inferior to the station wagon.
2nd place: station wagon This option is much more functional than a sedan and, with the sofa folded, allows you to transport up to one and a half cubic meters of cargo. Unfortunately, the only engine with which such a C-class is sold in Russia is the basic one power unit volume of 1.6 liters, which is equipped with the C180 version. True, it is also optimal. And the most unpleasant thing is that in our country, premium-segment station wagons, unlike in Europe, are in extremely low demand, and subsequently it will be quite difficult to sell such a car.
3rd place: 2-door coupe. Least practical body. The coupe has the most modest trunk and not very convenient access to the back row seats, where instead of a full-fledged sofa there are two separate armchairs. In addition, the coupe more expensive than a sedan for a significant 130,000 rubles - if we talk about the C180 model. However, base motor- Not the best choice for a car with sporting pretensions.
Which configuration?
All cars are sold in a rather profitable “Special Edition”. Even basic version "Classic" it is equipped more than generously: seven airbags, ABS, ESP, bi-xenon, MP3 audio system, 2-zone climate control, full power accessories, light, rain and tire pressure sensors, leather interior, daytime running lights And fog lights, skid plates, heated front seats and 16-inch alloy wheels. What more could you ask for optimum? By choosing a basic engine and equipment, you will save a decent amount, part of which you can spend on several options. We recommend taking a closer look at 17-inch wheels, a blind spot monitoring system and the AMG sports package, thereby making the car safer and improving its appearance.
"Classic"/"Elegance" package
The following equipment levels are: "Vanguard" And "Elegance"- are set by default for the C250 and C300, and the basic petrol and diesel version can be upgraded to this level for an additional 126,567 rubles. We cannot consider such an additional payment reasonable, because for this money you will only get an armrest with a double cup holder, improved leather on the steering wheel and gear lever, as well as a number of some external decorations. These versions differ insignificantly from each other: the Avangard has aluminum inserts in the interior and 17-inch wheels, while the Elegance has wooden decor in the interior and wheels an inch smaller. Yes, such cars look better than the basic “Classic”, but the price is too high.
In the all-wheel drive C300, among other things, you will find navigation system"Command-Online" with a 7-inch color display on the center panel and electric front seats with memory.
AMG trim
Actually, the whole beauty С63-AMG This car is powered by a ferocious 457 horsepower V8, which turns the C-Class into a supercar. This version comes with a sports chassis with a differential lock, Dynamic faux leather seats and a black cloth headliner, a Harman-Kardon audio system, 3-zone climate control, and a keyless entry and start system.
Despite the presence of “Special Series”, the Germans offer a huge number of options, including only rims almost two dozen species can be counted.
What engine?
1st place: C180 (1.6 l, 156 hp). Don’t be confused by the modest technical data: for a large metropolis with dense traffic, this engine is more than enough, and on the highway it will allow you to overtake without violence nervous system. But the main thing is that it will save you at least 150,000 rubles compared to the C250.
2nd place: C220 CDi (2.2 l, 170 hp). The base diesel is ten thousand more expensive than the petrol model C250, and a significant 160,000 rubles separate it from the optimum. This motor has excellent traction, but that’s not the only beauty of it. The main advantage of a diesel engine is its efficiency. In addition, moderate power will allow you to avoid significant waste by paying an annual transport tax.
3rd place: C250 (1.8 l, 204 hp). Decent motor, but its capabilities don't make up for the high price. And although it is slightly cheaper than a base diesel, the cost of owning such a car in the long run (fuel plus taxes) will be higher.
4th place: C250 CDi (2.2 l, 204 hp). This is still the same 2.2-liter diesel engine, but it has acquired a second turbine, which extracts an additional 34 “horses” from the engine. This engine comes with all-wheel drive. However, you will have to pay a lot for these bonuses - 130,000 rubles.
5th place: C300 (3.5 l, 250 hp). If you think that a real Mercedes should have a V6, then the C300 is the most affordable way get it. In addition to excellent dynamics and richer equipment, you will also receive 4-Matic all-wheel drive.
6th place: C63-AMG (6.2 l, 457 hp). Incredible performance at an exorbitant price: for three and a half million you will get 457 “horses” and 600 Newton meters. True, in our country there are not many roads on which you will be able to unleash the potential of this engine.
What drive?
The C-Class can be not only rear-wheel drive. The proprietary “4-Matic” system distributes torque between the axles in a ratio of 45:55, but if necessary, it can distribute all the engine torque to one wheel. The most affordable option with all-wheel drive- this is the C250 CDi, which is 240 thousand more expensive than the optimum. The petrol C300 is more powerful, but is valued even higher - 570,000 rubles over the C180 version.
What color?
We decided:
The optimal C-class in our opinion is the basic C180 costing 1,420,000 rubles. Such a car can be equipped with 17-inch wheels, a blind spot monitoring system and an AMG sports package. And - yes: keep in mind that now dealers are full of last year's cars that are sold at significant discounts. Moreover, from some sellers you can still find a very attractively priced C200 model, which is no longer supplied to Russia.
