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Next AMG Black Series coupe will pay more attention to grace than power

 
5 2,188 views Aug 4, 2009

2010 mercedes benz e class coupe 007

The horsepower wars aren't over, but with everyone at a standoff, the most agile will be the winner

The horsepower wars aren't over, but with everyone at a standoff, the most agile will be the winner

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Finding a way to make productive use of more than 500hp in a standard two-wheel drive configuration is a tough thing - at least without going to ridiculous tire and wheel sizes. So the next generation of super-performance coupe from Mercedes-Benz's AMG division won't focus on pushing the outer boundaries of power. Instead, it will focus on something often left behind: agility.

Getting power to the ground, then taming it through the curves, will ultimately make for a faster car than one that's simply outrageously powerful. Just ask a Lotus driver.

But that's not to say that the next AMG Black Series coupe will be gutless - far from it. Expect at least 500hp, as the next C63 AMG - currently the least powerful AMG model - will sit just above the 500hp mark as well, according to Autocar.

Five hundred horsepower is more than enough to provide abundant rubber-burning fun, but not so much as to make the car useless below fourth gear. And with judicious use of engine electronics and technological wizardry, it could even return relatively economical fuel consumption and emissions figures.

Based around the E-Class Coupe (pictured), the next Black Series will supplant the AMG E-Class Coupe, and instead focus on delivering the ultimate in balanced handling, power and speed. The current Black Series SL65 AMG is a brute with some serious capability, but its 4,125lb weight makes for less impressive transitional performance than its spec sheet might indicate.

How Mercedes plans to achieve this lithe yet powerful beast isn't yet clear, but expect to see advanced materials including extensive use of carbon fiber to save weight.
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-class Coupe Official

HI-RES GALLERY: 2010 mercedes benz e class coupe 007




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Comments (5)

  1. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 8/4/2009 11:20pm PDT

    I like that idea, power, and great handling, for an all around car
     
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  2. ma_secrummy avatar secrummy Posted: 8/5/2009 12:14pm PDT

    Well, obviously the first step is to trim the weight of the car. At more than two tons, the new E class is a tank. Carbon fiber and advanced materials they say? Well, the price sure won't be coming down will it. I'd say this is a step in the right direction though.
     
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  3. ma_SuperSkyline89 avatar SuperSkyline89 Posted: 8/5/2009 7:11pm PDT

    These cars are really heavy but they are luxury cars after all. A Mercedes isn't a Mercedes without all the technology and pampering. They could try making those systems lightweight, like the audio system in the McLaren F1. Kenwood made it weigh less than 19 pounds whereas other stereo companies were saying 36 pounds. If Mercedes can find ways to trim weight like that they can make much lighter cars without compromising luxury.
     
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  4. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 8/5/2009 9:15pm PDT

    Well, obviously the first step is to trim the weight of the car. At more than two tons, the new E class is a tank. Carbon fiber and advanced materials they say? Well, the price sure won't be coming down will it. I'd say this is a step in the right direction though.

    AMGs will never come down in price, that is why they are AMGs, for the perofmance
     
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  5. By  orpin rose Posted: 12/21/2009 11:20pm PST

    I've come to the conclusion that Mercedes and AMG are muscle-car makers for the rich. This isn't a true track car (look at the weight). AMG's answer to improve performance? More horsepower. And I agree Sportphotog, this isn't even a really special Mercedes like the SLR which was a true halo model. A $300K+ price tag has to buy something special, not a repackaged SL. No, I can't afford a car like this and probably never will. But if I could I still wouldn't buy it because it wouldn't fit in with the collection I would have of fine well rounded performance cars from Europe and the U.S.
     
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