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New Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 Priced From £155k In The UK, Nearly £16k More Than 751HP Taycan Turbo S

December 23, 2021 in Uncategorized | Permalink

Two months ago, Mercedes unveiled the AMG EQS 53 at the Munich Motor Show as the first electric vehicle to wear the AMG badge. Now, the German automaker has released pricing for it, and it’s about what you’d expect for a range-topping high-performance EV sedan.

The EQS 53 will start at £154,995 (equal to around $208,000 at current exchange rates) in the UK, or 55% more than the base EQS 450’s starting price of £99,995. It’s also more expensive than the current flagship Porsche Taycan Turbo S that’s rated for 761PS / 751HP and kicks off from £139,280 (about $186,900).

For that money, you get a dual-motor AWD drivetrain producing 649 hp (658 PS / 484 kW) and 701 lb-ft (950 Nm) of instant electric torque. Upgrade to the AMG Performance Package with the Night Edition that pushes the starting price to £163,900 (around $220,000) though, and that same drivetrain produces 751 hp (761 PS / 560 kW) and 752 lb-ft (1020 Nm) of torque.

Read More: Electrifying 751-HP Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 Is Benz’s New Performance Flagship Limo

The former enables a 3.8-second sprint to 62 mph (100 km/h) with a top speed of 137 mph (220 km/h), while the latter allows for 3.4 seconds to 62 mph with a top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h). The range is the same for both, with a WLTP-estimated 358 miles (576 km) on tap from the car’s 107.8 kWh battery.

Standard features on all variants include the 56-inch Hyperscreen, an AR heads-up display, Nappa leather upholstery, a Burmester® surround sound system, a Parking package with Active Parking Assist, and 360° camera, Driving Assistance Package Plus, AMG sound programs, AMG-specific bodywork, and an AMG steering wheel.

Included with the Night Edition are 21-inch AMG alloy wheels, a flat-bottomed sport steering wheel, and sport pedals. Upgrading to the £8,995 AMG Performance Package (which is only available with the Night Edition) gets you carbon-ceramic brakes, AMG Dynamic Plus boost for Race Start, the AMG Sound Experience, the AMG Driver’s Package with increased top speed, AMG TRACK PACE, and AMG carbon-fiber interior trim.

Related: 2023 Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 Spied Almost Undisguised With Different Wheel Designs

Finally, serving as a counterpart to the bold Night Edition is the more subtle Touring specification, which comes with 22-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels and elegant ambient lighting in the cabin. On top of that, you can opt for the £2,995 Rear Luxury Lounge package (only available with the Touring), which outfits the multi-contour rear seats with black Exclusive Nappa leather upholstery, power reclining, luxury headrests, neck and shoulder heating, comfort armrests, separate climate controls, an MBUX tablet, wireless charging, and additional USB ports.

The 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 4MATIC+ is currently on sale now, with the first UK deliveries expected to arrive in April 2022.

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Electric Supercar Manufacturers Strive To Find More Efficient Motors, Keep Weight Down

October 10, 2021 in Uncategorized | Permalink

The age of all-electric supercars and hypercars has arrived and as car manufacturers look to push performance boundaries to new levels, some are turning to smaller EV specialists.

One of these companies is British firm YASA which was recently purchased by Daimler. YASA already suppliers motors to the likes of Ferrari, Koenigsegg, and an unnamed British supercar company and will soon supply its electric motors to the Mercedes-AMG brand.

The YASA axial flux electric motor is similar in size to a steering wheel and is flat, meaning it is also lighter and more efficient than more conventional radial flux motors. YASA’s motor is also oil-cooled and already being used by the Ferrari SF90 Stradale and 296 GTB.

Read More: Every New Mercedes Model Will Get An All-Electric Version, Starting In 2025

Fellow British motor manufacturer Saietta has also developed its own water-cooled axial flux motors and will produce them for the Asian motorcycle market. Speaking with Reuters, Saietta’s chief commercial officer Graham Lenden said automakers need a helping hand when it comes to electric motors.

“These manufacturers know combustion engines forwards, backwards and inside out but they do not know electric powertrains and what they are looking for is someone to hold their hand,” he said.

YASA aims to bring the costs of its axial flux electric motor down so that Daimler can use them for its entire range of cars.

Of course, the motor of an EV is only one part of the equation. Supercar and hypercar manufacturers know that weight is their enemy and are also looking for ways to reduce the weight of heavy battery packs or, at the very least, offset a battery’s heft with weight savings elsewhere across vehicles.

For example, the Rimac Nevera‘s body and chassis are made from carbon fiber and its batteries form part of the car’s structure, while the platform of the Lotus Evija uses light aluminum alloys to reduce its weight.

According to Silk-FAW vice president for innovation and technology, Roberto Fedeli, “weight saving is even more important than a higher level of power.” Silk-FAW plans to build a range of electric sports cars in Italy.

YASA axial-flux electric motor

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Manhart’s ER 800 Is A Mercedes-AMG E63 S On Supercar Steroids

September 24, 2021 in Uncategorized | Permalink

Manhart is usually associated with tuned BMWs but the Wuppertal-based company got its hands on a Mercedes-AMG E63 S, bringing supercar-level performance to the sports sedan. The Manhart ER 800 as it is called, will be produced in a limited number of five units, making it the ultimate rival of the BMW M5-based MH5 800.

As we can see from the pictures, Manhart’s offering is based on a pre-facelift E63 S, but the same upgrades could be applied to the facelifted model. After all, both cars are fitted with the same twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine from AMG.

In stock form, the engine produces 603 hp (405 kW / 612 PS) and 850 Nm (627 lb-ft), sending power to all four wheels through an AMG Speedshift nine-speed dual-clutch transmission and the 4MATIC+ system.

Thanks to upgraded turbochargers, intercooler, a new carbon intake, spots downpipes with 300-cell catalytic converters (only for export), and ECU remapping, power has been increased to 798 hp (595 kW / 809 PS) and torque to an impressive 1,070Nm (789 lb-ft).

See Also: Brabus 800 Is A 789 HP 2021 Mercedes-AMG E63 That Eats Supercars For Breakfast

In order to better handle this much power, Manhart also upgraded the brakes with carbon-ceramic discs measuring 405 mm (15.9 inches) at the front. They also lowered the air suspension by 20 mm (0.79 inches) to 30 mm (1.18 inches), either via new coupling rods or via software adjustment.

Black And Gold

The ER 800 received the Manhart treatment with golden graphics contrasting the black bodywork and the custom black grille. The livery is combined with a set of matt black 21-inch Classic Line rims shod in performance tires measuring 255/30 ZR21 at the front and 295/25 ZR21 at the rear.

If you are interested in tuning your own Mercedes-AMG E 63 S, the performance kit for the engine costs €17,999 ($21,108) and the carbon intake adds €4,630 ($5,430). However, this applies to the full 798 hp (595 kW / 809 PS) of power since Manhart also provides cheaper options for less power using the MHtronic module.

See Also: Manhart Brings 804 HP To The BMW M5 With The New MH5 800 Package

The exhaust system will cost you €8,499 ($9,968), plus €2,899 ($3,400) for the downpipes and €700 ($821) for the carbon or ceramic tailpipes. For a sportier look, you will have to pay €8,200 ($9,614) for the rims, €999 ($1,172) for the decals, €595 ($698) for the black grille surround, and €355 ($416) for lowering the air suspension. Finally, inside you can add Manhart floor mats for €178 ($209) and a Rolls-Royce style Starlight headliner for €1,990 ($2,333).

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Spot The Difference: Mercedes-AMG GT 4 Door Facelift Spied

March 7, 2021 in Uncategorized | Permalink

While much has been said of the new forthcoming Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door 73e, there hasn’t been all that much attention shown to the model-wide midcycle refresh we expect to see for the 2022 model year.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe is a bit of an oddity in the line-up. Visually similar in many ways to the CLS, but with a price tag and performance to far surpass the original ‘four-door coupe,’ the AMG GT 4-Door may not even see a second generation. In a world that is increasingly choosing crossovers and SUVs rather than sedans (or their coupe-fied equivalents), and with Mercedes‘ thrust towards developing its EQ division, the super saloon’s future is in question.

Read: Mercedes Teases New EQS Electric Luxury Sedan’s Chunky Profile

But as these pictures show — the first time we’ve been able to get a good look without too much camouflage — there’s life in the GT yet. Despite the lack of too much disguise, there doesn’t appear to be an awful lot different with the new car. The front bumper has notably received some tweaks, with vertical grilles in the two outer vents and a reprofiled middle. The rear and sides of the GT 63S appear to be identical to the outgoing model.

The brunt of the alterations are expected within the cabin, with the GT getting the latest software and layout designs. However, it looks unlikely the new AMG GT 4-Door will adopt an S-Class/C-Class-like cabin, with the outgoing model’s landscape-style screens appearing to be unaltered in their layout.

Changes to the line-up may also be made, with the possibility of increased mild electrification, along with the AMG GT 73e range-topping PHEV hybrid that may have a combined total output figure of 800 hp.

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Photo Credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for CarScoops

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Magnus Walker Explores What It Means To Be An Underdog In This Red Pig Tribute

February 24, 2021 in Uncategorized | Permalink

Before AMG was brought under the wing of the three-pointed star, it started out as an independent tuning house. Created by former Mercedes engineers Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher in 1967, it specialized in hotting-up some of Merc’s most popular models.

But with motorsports very much the zenith for any performance car outfit, plans were made for AMG to make their race debut. Rather than tread carefully, they decided to jump in at the deep end and compete in the 24 Hours of Spa. The famed racetrack is notoriously unforgiving, and the competition was not only miles ahead in terms of experience, but they also held the edge in terms of car choice.

Read: The Jaguar XJS Has Aged Into Its Looks, But Prices Haven’t Caught Up Yet

AMG’s decision to bring a 300 SEL, Merc’s flagship luxury saloon, was rather offbeat, as the class consisted of small and lightweight contenders, like the BMW 2800 CS and the Alfa Romeo 2000 GTAm.

Despite the heavy tuning that AMG had breathed over the large saloon, which included reworking the 6.3-liter V8 engine to 6.8-liters, the “Rote Sau,” or Red Pig, as it was affectionately known, was regarded as an underdog. Indeed, the heavy weight and large engine meant that the 428 hp race car was harsher on its tires, and gulped lots of fuel, necessitating more pit stops.

See: Mercedes 300 SEL ‘Red Pig’ Replica Gives You The Chance To Own The Coolest AMG Of Them All

Despite this, the Red Pig overcame the odds, winning its class and finishing second overall. You may expect this legendary and storied car to be on a plinth in a museum, but alas, AMG wasn’t the powerhouse that they are today. The sale of a racecar would have been an appealing option at the time. Thus, the original was sold to an aircraft company — being the only car available that could match the takeoff (and landing) speeds of fighter jets, it was modified to test landing gear.

The final resting place of the original Red Pig is still unknown, which is why recreations are all we have left to remember its legacy. Here, famed tuner and out-and-out petrol head Magnus Walker introduces us to the “Silber Sau,” a recreation commissioned by the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, California. Walker, along with director Cameron Thuman, takes us on a cinematic journey remembering the spirit in which the original car was created and just what it means to win against the odds.

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QOTD: Which Discontinued Cars From 2020 Will You Miss The Most?

January 1, 2021 in Uncategorized | Permalink

With a number of cars leaving the US market this year, many people might be disappointed to see some of their favorite vehicles ride off into the sunset. The silver lining is that there will be plenty of new ones to look forward to in the next 12 months, but it still begs the question: which cars being discontinued for 2021 will you miss the most?

This list is in no particular order, but of the many cars leaving the market, the following are what we think are eight of the most notable ones.

1. Mercedes-AMG GT R

Read: Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Costs As Much As Two AMG GT Rs

The AMG GT R, whose demise was confirmed a few days ago, was one of the best sports cars on the market. With its raucous 4.0-liter biturbo V8, the top-of-the-line AMG was a blast to drive, but also livable if you were willing to put up with its track-focused suspension. However, we can’t be too disappointed with its discontinuation, as Mercedes also has the Black Series and plans to fill the GT R-shaped void in their lineup by buffing up the other GT models a bit.

2. Chevrolet Impala

See: GM Builds The Last Chevrolet Impala, Exits The Large Sedan Segment In North America

While certainly not the most exciting car on this list, the Chevy Impala undoubtedly has the longest history, stretching back 62 years and only taking a break from production twice, between 1985 and 1994, and 1996 to 2000. Having earned its reputation as an everyman’s large sedan, the Impala has fallen victim to the ever-growing crossover and SUV craze. Despite the nameplate’s history, in a market with such a proclivity for these high-riding vehicles, large sedans are making increasingly less sense. As a result, Chevy is discontinuing the Impala for 2021.

3. Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 / GT350R

Watch: Which Ford Mustang Shelby Is Better At Autocross: The GT350R Or GT500?

Despite a glorious flat-plane crank V8 and great handling, the GT350 and GT350R are being discontinued to make room for the upcoming Mach 1. The latter was met with a less-than-perfect reception upon its reveal, with many saying it’s not a true Mach 1 and that it doesn’t differentiate itself enough from the GT. While we’re sad to see the GT350/R go, Ford has not stopped trying to reassure us that the Mach 1 will be a suitable replacement.

4. Alfa Romeo 4C Spider

Read More: Alfa Romeo Sends Off 4C Spider In The US With Limited 33 Stradale Tributo Edition

With the 4C Coupe having been discontinued in 2018, the convertible now follows suit. The 4C has always excelled in the “simplify, then add lightness” philosophy of Lotus founder Colin Chapman and while it’s no Lotus, the 4C Spider definitely embodies that philosophy, going so far as to not even include power steering. The car only produced 237 hp from its 1.7-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, but it also only weighed 2,487 lbs. This not only allowed it to handle very well, but also be pretty quick in a straight line, all thanks to that low power-to-weight ratio. Unfortunately, it seems most people found the $67,150 price tag to be a little too steep for the featherweight Alfa and it will be discontinued for 2021.

5. BMW i8

See Also: Alpina Explains Why Its 462 HP BMW i8 Four-Cylinder Project Never Became A Reality

With its futuristic styling, the i8 stood out not just from every other BMW, but most other cars on the road. While we will miss its unique looks and all the attention they garnered, we can understand why it is being discontinued, as it didn’t really have the walk to back up the talk. Its hybrid powertrain made only 369 hp and didn’t quite deliver the performance to match the i8’s exotic appearance, leaving many potential buyers wondering why they shouldn’t just buy something that performs better for the same price.

6. Honda Civic Coupe

Read: The Death Of The Honda Civic Coupe Marks The End Of An Era

While the sedan and hatchback remain, the coupe variant of the Civic will be gone for the next generation. Being a staple of the cheap, fun performance car world, the Civic coupe and its Si variant remain fondly in the memories of many. Cheap enough to be a first car, and fun enough to be a fourth, the Civic coupe’s appeal has spread across many demographics over its lifetime. That being said, we can understand why a front-wheel-drive coupe such as the Civic is being discontinued as the segment is no longer popular.

7. Lexus GS

Driven: 2018 Lexus GS F Is Proof That Power Isn’t Everything

While the Lexus GS wasn’t too exciting, it did a very good job at what it was designed to do: be a comfortable, spacious luxury car. However, what we will really miss is the GS’ performance version, the GS F. The last of what many consider to be a traditional sport sedan, the GS F held on to its naturally aspirated V8 while its competitors turned to forced induction. Even though it made less power than its German rivals, Lexus dared to do something different from the norm. They understood that it’s not always about outright performance; sometimes it’s about the overall experience of driving the car, and in that, the GS shone. Axed to make room for the smaller and better-selling ES, the GS will likely be missed by many, and definitely by those who had the pleasure of sampling the F model.

8. Honda Fit

More: All-New Honda Fit Goes On Sale In Japan With Two Powertrains, Optional AWD

The Honda Fit was actually quite the little car. Very practical and spacious for its size, the Fit often surprised people, even its owners, about what could fit (no pun intended) inside the small hatchback. In addition, while not often talked about, it was actually a spritely little car, being able to handle pretty well due its low curb weight of about 2600 lbs. Despite everything good about it, the Fit will be discontinued for 2021 due to slow sales, and we’re sad to see it go.

What other models have been discontinued?

In addition to these eight, as listed by J.D. Power, there are many other cars being discontinued for 2021 in the United States. These include the Acura RLX, Aston Martin Rapide, Bentley Mulsanne, BMW M8, Buick Regal, Cadillac CT6, Chevrolet Sonic, Dodge Grand Caravan and Journey, Fiat 124 and 500L, Ferrari GTC4Lusso, Ford F-150 Raptor and Fusion, Honda Civic Si, Hyundai Elantra GT, Jaguar XF Sportbrake and XE, Kia Optima, Lincoln Continental and MKZ, Mercedes-Benz SL and SLC, and the Toyota Yaris.

It should also be noted that some of these aforementioned vehicles are being discontinued only because a successor is on the cards. Such is the case with the Ford Raptor, Honda Civic Si, Kia Optima (albeit under a different name), and Mercedes-Benz SL.

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2021 Mercedes E-Class Silently Ditches Its Iconic Hood Ornament

December 26, 2020 in Uncategorized | Permalink

Bad news for those planning to spec their brand new 2021 E-Class with the company’s classic-style front grille and hood ornament as Mercedes has ditched that option from its US range.

For decades the three-pointed star on the hood was considered a trademark of luxury but as years go by, that image slowly faded away in favor of an even bigger star in the middle of the grille. In fact, the trend of having an ornament sticking out of the bonnet is slowly but steadily dying.

Read Also: 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Named MotorTrend’s Car Of The Year

Customers in North America are getting the 2021 Mercedes E-Class with the sportier front grille

Add to that the ever-stricter safety laws in different parts of the globe and hood ornaments are becoming increasingly tricky for automakers with a global footprint.

Mercedes USA has confirmed to Motor Trend that the option, previously available as part of the ‘Luxury’ trim, has been indeed discontinued. Luxury-fitted Mercedes E-Classes came with the classic front grille that featured the familiar rows of chrome slats and the company’s logo proudly sitting on top.

In fact, the only Mercedes models you can still buy with a hood ornament in the US market are the new S-Class sedan and the Maybach GLS SUV, with the rest of the lineup offering the star-in-grille fascia only.

However, the hood ornament option is still available in regions like Europe, where customers can pick the ‘Exclusive’ exterior package. This includes not only the classic chrome front grille and the star on the hood but also adds shiny chrome trim bits to the bumpers and side windows.

In Europe, Mercedes offers the ‘Elegance’ trim level that includes the traditional ‘star’ hood ornament

That means that if you still want that classic Benz feel from your new 2021 Mercedes E-Class, all you have to do is order the parts from the old Continent. It should be plug-and-play.

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Watch The Mercedes EQS Electric Luxury Sedan Being Tested At The Nurburgring

October 25, 2020 in Uncategorized | Permalink

The all-electric Mercedes EQS has been spied during a recent round of testing at the Nurburgring as the automaker is getting it ready for the production line.

Like other prototypes snapped by our own spy photographers, this car is dressed in camouflage that does a good job of hiding its exterior design. Evidently, Mercedes is eager to keep the final design of the EQS a secret for as long as it can. With that being said, the camouflage cannot hide everything. The overall shape of the EQS immediately catches the eye and, thanks to the elongated roofline and long wheelbase, rear-seat passengers should have plenty of head and legroom.

Read Also: 2022 Mercedes EQS Debut Getting Closer As Electric Flagship Starts Nürburgring Testing

Underpinning the EQS is the automaker’s latest Modular Electric Architecture (MEA) and all signs point towards the EV getting a pair of electric motors, one on the front and one on the rear axle. Mercedes will obviously sell the EQS in a number of different configurations with varying levels of power. The base model should have at least 400 hp, while an AMG-tuned variant can be expected to churn out upwards of 600 hp.

The driver behind the wheel of this EQS prototype clearly wasn’t holding back when testing the car as its tires can be heading screeching through some of the corners. While the EQS has not been designed with a focus on track performance, it’s clear that the electric executive sedan, which also features all-wheel steering, handles very well.

Mercedes-Benz should premiere the EQS before the end of the year with production due to commence in 2021.

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2020 Land Rover Defender Off-Road Tested Against Jeep Wrangler, Mercedes-Benz G-Class

August 30, 2020 in Uncategorized | Permalink

The new Land Rover Defender poses as one of the market’s most off-road capable vehicles available new, so it’s only natural to see it going against the likes of the Jeep Wrangler and Mercedes G-Class.

While the three models don’t necessarily fight for the same target audience, it’s certainly interesting to see how they compare in an off-road test. Autocar took them to an abandoned quarry to see which one complete the course with the most ease and the results were surprising.

Read More: Does The 2021 Land Rover Defender V8 Look Better In Black?

It’s difficult to determine which off-roader does the absolute best job when the pavement stops as there are so many different types of surfaces out there, not to mention the importance of tires. The off-road community is pretty wide and includes anything from rock-crawling to desert dune bashing, and from trail driving to green laning, so picking a clear winner here is understandably not the case.

Instead, the review focuses on testing things like the approach, ramp, and departure angles of all three models, as well as their axle articulation and ground clearance. Every off-roader here is capable of completing the course, but some did it without even scraping their bellies on the dirt.

Out of the three, only the Defender comes with an air suspension, as the Mercedes G350d and the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon sport steel springs. The Jeep is also the only vehicle here with a solid front axle, which means that ground clearance will remain constant when the suspension is under load.

There’s no question that all three off-roaders can cope with pretty much everything you can throw at them, but in the same conditions, on the same day, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is no longer the clear winner.

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Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series Costs As Much As Two AMG GT Rs

July 24, 2020 in Uncategorized | Permalink

Unveiled last week, the 2021 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series can already be ordered in Europe starting today.

There’s just one “minor” problem if you want to get one: it starts from €335,240 in Germany, including the local 16% VAT. That is the equivalent of $389,150 at the current exchange rates, but U.S. pricing hasn’t been announced yet.

The price premium over the Mercedes-AMG GT R is astounding; since the latter is priced from €165,474 in Germany, the Black Series basically costs as much as two AMG GT Rs.

See Also: Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series ‘P One Edition’ Is Exclusive To AMG One Buyers

So what does the flagship model of the GT family offer to justify the steep price premium? For starters, it packs the most powerful AMG V8 production engine of all time. In the GT Black Series, the 4.0-liter twin-turbo flat-plane crank V8 delivers 720 hp (537 kW / 730 PS) at at 6,700-6,900 rpm and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque at 2,000-6,000 rpm.

Hooked to the AMG Speedshift DCT 7G seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the power plant enables the Black Series to sprint from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 3.2 seconds and from 0-124 mph (0-200 km/h) in less than 9 seconds. The top speed is equally impressive at 202 mph (325 km/h).

The Black Series is deeply rooted in motorsport and its design also shows it as the body kit is directly derived from the current AMG GT3 racing car. Similarities with the race car include the massive air intake at the front and new carbon-fiber bonnet with two large exhaust air outlets made from black-finished carbon surfaces. The bearings on the upper and lower wishbones of the rear axle also come straight from motorsport. Since they have no play, toe-in and camber do not change even under high loads.

According to the automaker, the AMG range-topper also features the most sophisticated aerodynamics of an AMG production model and the most intelligent material mix. Customers can have the AMG GT Black Series in the special AMG magma beam paint finish (the orange car you see in the photos). Exclusive to this model, it can be ordered as an option – yes, there are optional extras even on a $389,000 car.

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