Product offensive - A 45 AMG: First high-performance vehicle built at Rastatt

Start of production for the first high-performance vehicle at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt: after the A-Class and B-Class, the first AMG model in the history of the factory has left the assembly left recently. "The A 45 AMG is the sportiest car that ever rolled off the line here. We are very proud to be constructing high-performance vehicles in Rastatt. The team has exemplary integrated the AMG model into the ongoing production of the A-Class. For us, this milestone marks the start of a new era at the Rastatt site," said Peter Wesp, Head of Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt.

In the development of the A 45 AMG, the experts from Affalterbach have contributed with their extensive experience in motorsport and the construction of powerful high-performance cars. Thus the A 45 AMG will receive the typical AMG DNA and the brand promise of "Driving Performance" perfectly embodied. This is ensured with the implementation of the AMG-specific powertrain with the performance-oriented all-wheel drive AMG 4MATIC, the AMG sports suspension with independent front and rear suspension and the exclusive interior and exterior features. The Rastatt team has smoothly integrated the production of the volumes of the A-Class AMG model together with the AMG counterparts so that the assembly line is shared with the standard A-Class model. The A 45 AMG boasts a maximum output of 265 kW (360 hp). With the performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive system, it sets new standards in its segment. The acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes just 4.6 seconds, while top speed reaches 250 km/h (electronically limited). The high-performance hatchback is designed to appeal to new customers. The target group is between the ages of 30 and mid 40, which is a tad younger than the usual AMG customers.

The A 45 AMG is powered by an AMG 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which has been launched into production two weeks ago in the MDC engine plant in Kölleda. There, all BlueDirect four-cylinder engines for the A-Class and B-Class are built as well. Especially for the production of the new AMG engines, a new assembly line was set up at the plant according to the traditional AMG philosophy "one man, one engine". From now, the A 45 AMG can be ordered by clients. Starting June, the first units will be handed over to customers.

For the production of the new compact models in Rastatt, Daimler is investing 1.2 billion euros. 600 million euros were invested in a first stage, including the construction of a new body shop. A further 600 million euros follow in 2012 and 2013 for the second stage. These new investments will be including the reconstruction of the assembly line and the corresponding plant structure.

About the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt

The Mercedes-Benz Rastatt plant employs about 6,500 people, making it the largest private employer in the region. In 2012, over 200,000 compact vehicles rolled off the assembly line at the site. The new generation of Mercedes-Benz premium compact cars will include, in addition to A-Class and B-Class, three sporty, emotional models, including a coupe and an SUV. The five models of the new compact car will be produced in the production network of the Rastatt plant, and from the end of March 2012, at the newly opened plant in Kecskemét, Hungary. Rastatt is the competence center for the production of the A-Class and B-Class. In late 2013, the compact SUV under the name GLA-Class will enter production stage here.

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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Mercedes-Benz Sport extends its portfolio: Sporty emphasis for the A-Class

Mercedes-Benz Sport is now offering a broad palette of products to personalise the A-Class. At the Geneva Motor Show the company will use an A 180 in polar silver with detachable body parts in Jupiter red to demonstrate the numerous details with which an A-Class can be sportily upgraded using Genuine Accessories. Mercedes-Benz Sport will also be presenting the entire product portfolio in their own exhibition area.

Reminiscent of the historic Mercedes-Benz racing cars, the designers of the A 180 exhibited in Geneva have combined the polar silver exterior paintwork with detachable body parts in Jupiter red. This striking colour was used for the front apron spoiler lip, the roof spoiler and the rear apron trim in diffusor look. The sporty appearance is underlined by a decorative sticker kit in chequered flag design with a colour gradient and fine lines. The look can be rounded off with racing numbers and a tinted sun protection strip with Mercedes-Benz Sport lettering.

The show car in Geneva shows numerous personalisation options for the A-Class which will all be available as extras for the first time. These include the aforementioned decorative sticker kits and installation kits for a two-pipe rear silencer, sports suspension and brakes with perforated brake discs and red callipers on the front wheels.

Also included in the Mercedes-Benz Sport programme are the "Night" styling package, front and rear trim, the diamond radiator grille, illuminated door sills with the "Sport" logo, sports steering wheel, sports pedals and 18-inch (45.72 cm) two-tone light alloy wheels in black and high-sheen.

Mercedes-Benz Sport portfolio currently for four model series

Over the last three years Mercedes-Benz has offered a portfolio of elegant sporty products for personalising vehicles. The programme includes light alloy wheels, aerodynamic and optically-enhancing detachable body parts and interior products. These retrofit solutions accentuate a vehicle's sportiness and provide individual, elegant touches.

Mercedes-Benz Sport has been available since 2010 for the E-Class family; in 2011 products were added for the SLK and in 2012 for the C-Class family. Other model series are to follow. Most products for personalising the A-Class are already available and can be retrofitted by a qualified Mercedes-Benz partner.

High quality with Mercedes-Benz warranty and intelligent "add-on principle"

Mercedes-Benz Sport components stand out above conventional products for personalising vehicles in three specific points:

- Design is based on the high Mercedes-Benz quality criteria. The development is based on experience and observation of the basic vehicle and the original vehicle computer data. This ensures an outstandingly precise fit for the parts. All parts have been tested for reliability, durability and function in computer simulations and in practical tests. Also the aerodynamic parts have been tested in wind tunnels and test drives including high-speed circuits. As Mercedes-Benz Sport parts conform to the highest standards, they are sold with the Mercedes-Benz original warranty.

- Thanks to the intelligent "add-on principle" for detachable body parts, no existing parts have to be removed or exchanged. For example, original bumpers are retained and enhanced by Mercedes-Benz Sport parts.

- The same designers who design the basic vehicle are also responsible for Mercedes-Benz Sport styling. The features underline the vehicles' character and fit neatly in with the exacting design idiom of the Mercedes-Benz brand. Light-catching edges and taut surfaces create sportiness and reinforce the car's confident appearance.

An overview of Mercedes-Benz Sport for the A-Class

^[1] All prices incl.19% VAT, as valid in Germany, without fitting/painting (as at: February 2013).

Credits: Daimler AG

Copyright © 2013, Mercedes-Benz-Blog. All rights reserved.

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