AMG is taking the next logical step in its 40-year history of building high-performance Mercedes derivatives and running successful race teams, by building a completely bespoke supercar. AMG founder Hans-Werner Aufrecht is getting his chance to prove his company can build a better car than McLaren, and Autocar can bring you an exclusive preview of that car in the shape of our artist’s impression above.
New Super-Benz is go
Mercedes has just given the green light to Aufrecht and his company HWA (a spin-off from AMG itself) to build a supercar, which should be unveiled in concept form at the Geneva motor show next spring.So far there’s little in the way of solid detail about the car, aside from the fact that it will be powered by a high-performance AMG V8 engine, possibly a new 6.0-litre turbocharged V8. This engine was put on hold but is said to be back in development. The Mercedes-AMG is also likely to be both more compact and lighter than the SLR, and could use parts from the forthcoming SL Black Series. Like the CLK Black Series, this car will be re-engineered with bespoke suspension and drivetrain components. Using them in a second model would help spread the considerable cost. The production version will be built in Affalterbach near Stuttgart, possibly starting in 2009 if the Geneva reception is favourable.
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