It may be hard to imagine an environmentally-friendly vehicle sporting Mercedes-Benz ’ AMG badge, but that reality doesn’t look like it’s in the too distant future. In fact, a top AMG exec has revealed that the brand will unveil its first hybrid model by the end of the decade.
In an interview with Car Magazine, AMG boss Volker Mornhinweg revealed that the performance division was working on a hybrid model, which should be unveiled by the end of 2010.
“Although hybrids normally mean more weight, we’ll use our knowledge of lightweight material to offset this increase,” he told Car. “And don’t forget, AMG is all about torque, and electric engines develop their torque at standstill.”
The upcoming hybrid model is expected to improve fuel economy by about 30 percent — compared to the company’s current 6.2L V8 — and will draw heavily from the technologies used in the recently unveiled S400 BlueHYBRID.
Diesel technology will also be a part of AMG’s future plans, although to a lesser extent than other green technologies. Mornhinweg indicated only a single AMG model will receive the diesel treatment, with the most likely candidate a small four-door sedan. Since the C-Class is Mercedes’ smallest sedan offering, we fully expect the C-Class to get the diesel AMG treatment in the coming years.
Mornhinweg also told Car that the days of extreme horsepower – such as in the 670 hp SL65 Black Series – are behind the German tuner. Instead, AMG will look to lighten its vehicles and cap output at a still rather stout 500 horsepower.
So while AMG faithful might have been concerned about the prospect of the brand going green, the conversion sounds light a win-win for everyone: The environment gets a bit of a break while drivers will still get the same legendary AMG performance, all while saving at the pump.
