Mercedes-AMG Says It’ll Shift All Its Models To All-Wheel Drive

Although it used to be renown for its rear-wheel drive monsters, AMG, which is now integrated into Mercedes-Benz as its performance division, is set to make all-wheel drive standard across all of its models.

While recently speaking with Autocar, AMG boss Tobias Moers said that this decision was taken due to customer demand.

“Customers have given us the answer, and most want four-wheel drive. Back in the days when we had an AMG E-Class as rear-wheel drive and with four-wheel drive as an option, over 90% chose 4WD. In the new E63 with drift mode, you have a real rear-wheel-drive car but with four-wheel drive also,” Moers said.

Asked directly whether or not the Mercedes-AMG GT supercar, currently sold with rear-wheel drive, would also follow the lead of the new E63 by adopting an advanced al-wheel drive system, Moers indicated that it should.

“When I ask customers about the GT, they ask me about all-wheel drive. Regarding our competition, this is the downside of the AMG in terms of usability. People in Munich, for example, always, always ask for four-wheel drive – I think it’s for safety and stability,” he said.

Mercedes-AMG premiered its advanced clutch-based all-wheel drive with the latest-generation E63. Unlike previous AWD models, this new system is able to send 100 per cent of power and torque through the rear wheels at the touch of a button. This system, therefore, perfectly caters to those customers who want the safety and all-weather usability of an all-wheel drive system without denying them the ability to kick out the tail if they so wish.