Mercedes Says EQC And B-Class Won’t Get AMG Variants

Mercedes-AMG has worked on an increasing number of Mercedes-Benz models in recent years, but there are some of them the performance brand will not touch.

Speaking with Motor Trend at the Frankfurt Motor Show, AMG chief Tobias Moers clarified that the new EQC and B-Class shall not get the AMG treatment. Understandably, Affalterbach’s engineers won’t work on the German brand’s commercial vans either.

The latest-generation Mercedes-Benz B-Class is available with an AMG Line package in Europe consisting of 18-inch wheels, a unique body kit, lowered suspension, and an upgraded steering system, but that’s just a bells-and-whistles job. AMG could undoubtedly make B 35 or B 45 variants of the B-Class using the engines from the A 35 and A 45 if it wanted to, however demand for such models doesn’t justify such an investment.

Also Read: 2019 Mercedes B-Class Goes On Sale In The UK, Starts At £26,755

Then we come to the Mercedes-Benz EQC. This crossover is the first all-electric vehicle in the brand’s new EQ-family of vehicles and sold exclusively with a 402 HP powertrain that’s good for a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) sprint of under five seconds. Moers didn’t specify why AMG won’t tweak the EQC.

It is possible they may be thinking building an AMG-branded electric vehicle isn’t the smartest move so early on in their push towards electrification – and, besides, with a touch over 400 horsepower, the standard model has more than enough oomph as it stands.

Mercedes-AMG most recently unveiled the GLB 35 in Frankfurt, and it’ll be interesting to see how receptive customers are to such a model. Many diehard enthusiasts aren’t particularly fond of the division’s moves to diversify its portfolio, but it clearly has no intention of slowing down.