March 21, 2001

• C 32 AMG: high-performance Saloon and sporty Estate with 260 kW/354 PS
• SLK 32 AMG: power roadster with 450 Newton metres of torque
• AMG SPEEDSHIFT: effortless gearshifts for sheer driving enjoyment
• New record: Mercedes-AMG sold more than 11,500 cars in 2000

Lisbon - Three new high-performance AMG cars stand for dynamism in its highest form: Mercedes-AMG GmbH is presenting a sporty Saloon, an elegant, sporty Estate and an uncompromising power roadster in the form of the C 32 AMG, the C 32 AMG Estate and the SLK 32 AMG. Unadulterated driving enjoyment is guaranteed by their high-tech powerplant: an all-new supercharged V6 engine works in conjunction with the innovative AMG SPEEDSHIFT automatic transmission to provide a truly dynamic driving experience.

The new AMG V6 engine ensures unrivaled superiority versus any competitor in all three AMG models. Thanks to supercharging it has an output of 260 kW/354 hp, with an unrivaled maximum torque of 450 Newton metres. By coupling this with an automatic transmission with the innovative AMG SPEEDSHIFT function, which combines the advantages of a five-speed automatic transmission with the dynamism of a manual transmission, Mercedes-AMG GmbH once again shows its innovative strength in the development of particularly dynamic products.
"With the C 32 AMG and the SLK 32 AMG we are presenting three desirable high-performance automobiles which illustrate the expertise of Mercedes-AMG GmbH more than ever before. Together with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT automatic transmission our new, powerful supercharged V6 engine represents a unique propulsion package", says Ulrich Bruhnke, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. "The Saloon, Estate and Roadster guarantee mile after mile of sheer driving enjoyment and represent the measure of all things in the competitive environment."

The three new, supercharged AMG models will be launched on the European markets starting in March 2001. The right-hand-drive versions and models for North America will follow in the summer.

Power and passion: the ultra-powerful AMG supercharged engine

The outstanding performance of the new models is provided by a V6 engine developed by Mercedes-AMG, using extremely load and temperature-resistant components from motorsport. The heart of this six-cylinder unit is an innovative helical supercharger which generates a high charge pressure even at low engine speeds and thereby produces remarkable torque characteristics. Expressed in figures, 90 percent of the maximum torque - more than 400 Newton metres - is already available from 2300 rpm. The SLK 32 AMG and C 32 AMG require just 5.2 seconds to accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h, and the C 32 AMG Estate only 5.4 seconds. All three new AMG models are therefore in the same performance category as thoroughbred sports cars - though with the everyday practicality typical of a Mercedes.

The powerful, supercharged V6 engine also meets the highest demands in terms of economy and environmental compatibility: despite their enormous output these high-performance cars have a fuel consumption of only 11.2 litres (SLK 32 AMG), 11.5 litres (C 32 AMG Saloon) and 11.9 litres (C 32 AMG Estate) per 100 kilometres (unleaded premium 95 RON, NEDC overall consumption) and meet the D4 emission standards thanks to the latest catalytic converter technology. In fact these AMG models already comply with the stringent limits of the EU-4 emission standard, which does not come into effect until 2005.

AMG SPEEDSHIFT: An exceptional, dynamic package

Maintaining the dynamism of a manual transmission while offering the comfort of an automatic transmission - this was the development objective for the automatic transmission with AMG SPEEDSHIFT function, which is standard equipment in these models.

With AMG SPEEDSHIFT, a slight movement of the gearshift lever to the left, for instance, is all it takes for the transmission immediately to select the best gear for powerful acceleration, depending on the current speed and the pre-stored engine management data. Likewise the transmission will automatically carry out a downshift when a certain braking deceleration is reached, selecting the correct gear for the driving situation. Conversely, the transmission reliably maintains the selected gear when negotiating a bend at speed and thereby avoids any load change reactions. Faster, much more responsive gear changes and a torque converter lockup above first gear round off the innovative configuration of AMG SPEEDSHIFT.

AMG sports suspension as the ideal solution

The sporty suspension configuration of the new AMG models meets the need of the more adventurous driver for optimum road contact and a low degree of roll on fast bends - while maintaining consistently high long-distance comfort. Spring struts and gas-pressure shock absorbers by Mercedes-AMG and specially developed torsion bar stabilizers make this ideal solution possible.

In addition to the standard Electronic Stability Program ESP® with Brake Assist and acceleration skid control, it is particularly the fade-resistant, high-performance AMG braking system that guarantees a high level of handling safety. Generously dimensioned, internally ventilated disc brakes at front and rear - the front discs are also perforated in the case of the C 32 AMG - ensure braking deceleration at the highest level: the braking distance from 100 km/h is less than 36 metres for both the C 32 AMG and the SLK 32 AMG.

Dynamic appearance thanks to striking AMG styling

With their distinctive and expressive design the C 32 AMG and SLK 32 AMG immediately demonstrate their family resemblance to all the other high-performance cars produced by Mercedes-AMG GmbH. The powerful sweep of the front apron with its integral fog lights, the special side-skirt panels and the muscular rear apron leave no doubt as to their dynamic qualities. The harmony of the overall effect is completed by the characteristic AMG "dual oval" chrome exhaust tailpipe. The newly-developed, elegantly integrated airflow breakaway edge on the boot lid of the SLK 32 AMG reduces the lift on the rear axle by more than 50 percent. The "V6 Kompressor" lettering on the front wing discreetly but unmistakably indicates the potency of these three unique AMG cars. The new 17-inch light-alloy wheels of twin-spoke design, which are painted in sterling silver with 225/45 tires at the front and 245/40 tires at the rear, serve to reinforce this athletic appearance.

Exclusive interior with a full range of standard appointments

Sportiness and exclusivity predominate in the interior of the new AMG models. The AMG leather-covered steering wheel and the newly-developed, highly contoured AMG sports seats ensure optimum road contact and perfect lateral support even when taking bends at high speed. Two-tone leather upholstery available as an option at no extra cost and leather-lined interior door panels create a luxurious atmosphere and enhance a ride in the C 32 AMG and SLK 32 AMG even further. An additional, sporty note is struck by the newly designed instrument cluster with its 300-km/h speedometer dial.

The multifunctional interior of the new C 32 AMG Estate will particularly appeal to individualists with a decidedly active lifestyle: In addition to a fully folding rear seat unit and a load capacity of up to 1384 litres, standard features in this power-estate include a newly-developed, easily operated load compartment cover with an integral safety net.

Sales record: more than 11,500 AMG cars sold in 2000

Mercedes-AMG GmbH is able to look back on an outstandingly successful year 2000: more than 11,500 sporty AMG cars were sold last year. This figure is not just a new record in the more than 30-year history of the company, it also more than doubles the sales result for the previous year. The turnover grew to almost 600 million DM, an increase of more than 50 percent over 1999.

The most successful AMG models in 2000 were the ML 55 AMG with more than 4500 units sold, the E 55 AMG with almost 2500 units, the S 55 AMG and CL 55 AMG which together accounted for almost 2000 units, and the CLK 55 AMG with more than 1500 examples sold.

Model of success: AMG has sold some 9000 sporty C-Class models

The Mercedes-Benz C 32 AMG supersedes the C 43 AMG and C 55 AMG, of which approx. 4200 have been produced. Together with the C 36 AMG, the very first complete AMG vehicle, a total of some 9000 sporty C-Class vehicles drove out of the production buildings in Affalterbach and Bremen between 1994 and May 2000. The new models C 32 AMG and SLK 32 AMG will continue this success story; 3500 units of the Saloon and Estate are planned per year, together with 2000 units of the SLK 32 AMG.