AMG to go AWD

[Wretched]

Mercedes-Benz's performance division AMG will move away from rear-wheel-drive cars in favour of all-wheel-drive.

The company says it will add several all-wheel-drive models in the coming years, because sending the drive to all four wheels will make better use of the power produced from its V8 performance models.

The company currently only sells the ML-, GL- and G-Class SUVs with all-wheel-drive, but the new A45 AMG hatchback and the CLA compact sedan due next year will both send their power to the ground via all-four wheels.

All of AMG's current performance models not based on an SUV - including the C-, E-, SLS- and CLS-Class - are rear-wheel-drive.

Advertisement AMG head of engines and powertrains Friedrich Eichlers says all-wheel-drive will be offered across more models because getting so much power to the ground via only the rear wheels can be a problem.

"We will not only have all-wheel-drive in the SUVs and the compact cars, we will also have that in the performance sedans," Eichlers says.

"Next year there will be a presentation of a new all-wheel-drive concept," he says. "It's absolutely necessary, our competitors have all-wheel-drive [cars] in the performance segment, so we have to do that too.

Mercedes-Benz already produces a four-wheel-drive system for its sedans and wagons - known as 4Matic - but those versions are not sold in Australia, instead reserved for markets such as the US, where snowy or icy conditions are more prevalent in some areas.

Eichlers says that AMG cars with engines producing more than 900Nm of torque are the main candidates for all-wheel-drive.

"To compare the performance, especially the torque - 900Nm - you cannot bring that to the street," he says.

"If you want to be a member of the club with cars that have 0-100km/h times of around 3.0 seconds, then you need to have all-wheel-drive for your sports cars.

"The traction is a little bit of a problem for us, and we can solve this problem with all-wheel-drive.

"It's a good idea to have all-wheel-drive. We just think about that because we won't bring the power and the torque to the road if you always lose the grip and the [traction control system] kills all the power and torque," he says.

"So with four-wheel-drive you have more opportunity to accelerate really quick," Eichlers says. "In that case we have to look at our sports cars ... and we have to think about that, whether it's a good idea or not."

That doesn't mean the end of the rear-wheel-drive sports car, though.

"I think we will have both [rear- and all-wheel-drive models]," Eichlers says.

"Some people like two-wheel-drive because the steering is a little bit lighter and you can have more fun, with drift, when the rear of the car comes around. Some people like that."

Eichlers steadfastly ruled out any chance of AMG producing front-wheel-drive models though, despite parent company Mercedes-Benz relying on the layout for models such as the A- and B-Class.

"Front-drive cars are for children," he says.

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/a...117-29ifz.html