Mercedes-AMG Targeting 30% Reduction in Fuel Consumption by 2012
05 February 2009
AMG, the performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars, outlined a series of steps it will take to lower the emissions and improve the fuel efficiency of its vehicles.
All AMG vehicles will surpass the EU-5 standards which come into force from 2009 and also the EU-6 standards which will apply from 2014.
To reduce fuel consumption, AMG is shortly to introduce efficiency-increasing engine-generator management as well as regulated oil and water pumps.
From 2010 AMG will equip its vehicles with direct gasoline injection engines and with a stop-start function.
AMG will from 2012 achieve a reduction in consumption of 30 per cent in comparison to present levels.
In 2008, AMG sales increased by 19%, selling 24,200 vehicles (previous year 20,300). As in previous years, the USA was the strongest market for AMG with a 38% of total sales. Germany came in second place (13%), followed by Japan (8%).
The greatest growth markets of 2008 include amongst others China and Brazil with rates of increase of 260% and 565% respectively.
Interesting - suddenly a major auto company can improve fuel economy by 30% in 3 years..
Posted by: pat | 05 February 2009 at 11:05 AM
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Change over to diesel: Instant 30 to 50 percent mileage increase.
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Posted by: The Goracle | 05 February 2009 at 11:08 AM
If everyone's car was Diesel powered, the price of Diesel fuel would become so high as to negate whatever fuel economy advantage Diesels currently have.
Posted by: Alex Kovnat | 05 February 2009 at 11:33 AM
Note to the commentors:
This is not Mercedes saying they are improving the fuel efficiency of all Mercedes vehicles by 30% but rather the AMG (high performance) arm of a manufacturer (Mercedes) saying they will improve vehicle efficiency by 30%.
Such as taking the C63 AMG with combined figures of 15mpg and improving that to 19.5mpg (the C350, non performance version already achieves 20mpg combined), E63 AMG from 15mpg combined to 19.5mpg (the E550 currently gets 17mpg combined).
You are better off buying most SUVs than an AMG if you are concerned with fuel economy.
Posted by: Patrick | 05 February 2009 at 12:17 PM
Patrick: absolutly, the main thing they can do is give a damn.
AMG have been building performance modified cars for the last few decades without reference to fuel consumption.
It should be easy to get the first 30% improvement because they have been so profligate in the past.
The next 30% won't be so easy, but first is the most important (in terms of amount of fuel saved).
Also, because the cars are expensive, they have plenty to play around with.
Posted by: mahonj | 05 February 2009 at 01:12 PM
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Alex said: "If everyone's car was Diesel powered, the price of Diesel fuel would become so high as to negate whatever fuel economy advantage Diesels currently have."
Yes, just like gas being way higher than diesel in the US because almost everyone uses gas. What? It's not like that? The heck you say!
Fortunately private industry is in charge of production (for now - Pelosi/Reid are trying to take it over) so they will switch over to producing more diesel and the price will drop. Capitalism, and competitive markets, are not that hard to understand.
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Posted by: The Goracle | 05 February 2009 at 01:52 PM
due to the characteristics of AMG, i don't think they will introduce FULL hybrid or series hybrid cars but with direct injection, turbocharging and reduction in weight can bring 30% increase in fuel consumption with little effort. Just look at Porsche, which has fleet avg of 26mpg(i think i remember this correctly or it was somewhere around 26mpg) AMG sits below 20mpg now i believe...
"efficiency-increasing engine-generator management" I think they meant alternator? no series hybrid...
Posted by: Sean Lee | 05 February 2009 at 03:03 PM
- US diesel recently switched to USLD, for which there is a limited production capacity.
- The USA exports diesel to Europe (which cannot produce enough to meet demand) and exchanges it for gasoline (which Europe produces in excess). When diesel demand in Europe goes up or the dollar goes down, US diesel prices go up.
It's simple, unless you're a simpleton.Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 05 February 2009 at 03:41 PM
Even lip service is worth something.
Most auto manufacturers have reduced fuel consumption by 30% or more - even starting with semi-efficient cars - they are selling 30% less cars.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 05 February 2009 at 07:29 PM