With its AMG styling, the C 32 AMG appears powerful and dynamic, even at a standstill. It is perfectly complemented by AMG twin oval tailpipes and the newly-designed AMG 17" light-alloy wheels in a twin-spoke design painted in sterling silver. The wheels are 7.5 inches wide in front with 225/45 R 17 tyres, 8.5 inches wide with 245/40 R 17 tyres at the rear axle.

Two new high-performance cars from Mercedes-AMG stand for performance in its highest form: the C32 AMG sedan and the SLK32 AMG roadster. Sheer fun is guaranteed by their high-tech powerplant - an all-new supercharged Kompressor V6 – plus a new innovative AMG SpeedShift™ automatic transmission and suspensions with feline agility. The vast reserves of power generated by the supercharged V6 engine and the superbly able suspension calibrations, unique to each model, makes the C32 AMG and SLK32 AMG serious dance partners for the twistiest of twisty bits.

The new Mercedes-AMG Kompressor V6 engine delivers unrivalled power and flexibility in each car’s segment. Thanks to supercharging, it belts out 349 hp, with a league-leading 332 lbs.-ft. of torque. By coupling this with an innovative automatic transmission using the new AMG SpeedShift function – combining the advantages of a five-speed automatic transmission with the dynamics of a manual transmission – Mercedes-AMG GmbH shows its innovative strength in developing particularly agile products.

"With the C32 AMG and the SLK32 AMG, we are presenting two desirable high-performance automobiles which illustrate the expertise of Mercedes-AMG GmbH more than ever before," says Ulrich Bruhnke, Managing Director of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. "Together with the AMG SpeedShift automatic transmission, our powerful new supercharged V6 engine represents a unique propulsion package. These cars guarantee mile after mile of sheer driving enjoyment and represent the measure of all things in the competitive environment." American market launch for the C32 AMG and SLK32 AMG will be this fall. The roughly 1,000 examples of the C32 AMG sedan destined for the USA will cost about $50,000, while the SLK32 AMG roadsters, of which about 1,000 will arrive in the USA for model-year 2002 also, will be in the mid-$50,000 range.

AMG has been concerned with the professional enhancement of Mercedes-Benz cars since 1967, and is seen as a pioneer in this business. Company founder Hans-Werner Aufrecht has impressively demonstrated the expertise of his company on the international motor racing scene by achieving numerous successes over several decades. A continuous technology transfer from motor racing to series production still benefits every Mercedes-AMG customer.

The outstanding performance of these new models comes from a V6 engine developed using components from motorsports with extreme resistance to high load and temperature. At its heart is an innovative helical supercharger that generates boost at very low engine speeds, producing remarkable torque characteristics. About 90 percent of maximum torque – almost 300 lbs.-ft. – is available at 2300 rpm. Preliminary testing indicates both new models require less than 5.2 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph. Both new AMG models are therefore in the same performance category as thoroughbred sports cars, yet with everyday practicality typical of a Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-AMG’s development objective for the new automatic transmission with SpeedShift function was to maintain the comfort of an automatic transmission while offering the agility of a manual transmission. With AMG SpeedShift, a slight movement of the gearshift lever to the left readies the transmission to immediately select the best gear for powerful acceleration, depending on road speed and the stored engine management data. Likewise, the transmission will automatically carry out a downshift when a set rate of braking deceleration is reached, selecting the correct gear for the situation. Conversely, the transmission reliably maintains the selected gear when negotiating a bend at speed, thereby avoiding any load changes. Gear changes with much greater speed and response and a torque converter lockup function above first gear round off the innovative configuration of AMG SpeedShift.

The sporty suspension calibration of the new AMG models meet the needs of more adventurous drivers for optimum feel and athleticism on fast bends, yet retains high levels of long-distance comfort. Springs and gas-pressure shock absorbers by Mercedes-AMG and specially- developed anti-roll bars make this ideal solution possible. In addition to the standard ESP Electronic Stability Program, Brake Assist and traction control, the fade-resistant, high-performance AMG braking system guarantees a high level of handling safety. Generously sized, internally vented disc brakes at the front and rear ensure outstanding braking performance. (The C32 AMG front brakes are also cross-drilled.) Braking distance from 62.1 mph (100 kph) is less than 118 feet for both the C 32 AMG and the SLK 32 AMG.

With their distinctive, expressive designs, the C32 AMG and SLK32 AMG immediately demonstrate their family resemblance to all the other high-performance cars produced by Mercedes-AMG. The powerful sweep of the front air dam with its integral fog lights, the special side skirt panels and the muscular rear apron leave no doubt as to their dynamic qualities. The harmony of the overall effect is completed by the characteristic chrome AMG twin oval exhaust pipes. The newly developed, elegantly integrated airflow breakaway edge on the trunk lid of the SLK32 AMG reduces lift at the rear axle by more than 50 percent. The "V6 Kompressor" lettering on the front wing discreetly but unmistakably indicates the power within. New 17-inch alloy wheels of twin-spoke design, which are painted in sterling silver with 225/45 tires at the front and 245/40 tires at the rear, serve to reinforce this athletic appearance.

Sportiness and exclusivity dominate in the interior of the new AMG models. The AMG leather-covered steering wheel and the newly developed, highly contoured AMG sports seats ensure optimum steering feel and perfect lateral support even when taking corners at high speed. Two-tone leather upholstery (a no-cost option) and leather-lined interior door panels create a luxurious atmosphere and enhance driving even further. A revised instrument cluster also strikes a sporty note.

Mercedes-AMG is able to look back on an outstandingly successful 2000. In the U.S., Mercedes-Benz sold a total of 4,349 Mercedes-AMG models, and more than 11,500 Mercedes-AMG cars globally. This figure is not just a new record in the 30-plus-year history of the company, it also more than doubles the sales result for the previous year. The turnover grew to about $300 million, an increase of more than 50 percent over 1999.

The most successful AMG models in 2000 were the ML55 AMG with more than 4,500 units sold, the E55 AMG with almost 2500 units, the S55 AMG and CL55 AMG which together accounted for almost 2,000 units, and the CLK55 AMG with more than 1,500 examples sold.

When the engineers at Mercedes-AMG were debating over the successor to the C43 AMG and considering a further development of the SLK-Class roadster, every conceivable engine concept was discussed. Following numerous computer calculations and exhaustive test runs it became apparent that many arguments favored the future of a supercharged V6 engine. The 3.2-litre V6 is considerably more compact than the eight-cylinder cousin. This means better weight distribution for the vehicle itself, with beneficial effects on handling. Another positive side effect of the shorter engine is improved crash behaviour.

In conjunction with the twin-spark/three-valve-per-cylinder arrangement, the smaller displacement and fewer moving parts of the 3.2-liter V6 offer significant benefits in reduced fuel consumption and exhaust emissions. In addition, a belt-driven supercharger provides extremely positive torque characteristics. Almost 300 lbs.-ft. of torque is available at a mere 2300 rpm and remain on tap up to the 6100 rpm redline. This torque band is not only superior by a wide margin to that of any competitor in these segments, it also guarantees easy passing power. The torque peaks at 332 lbs.-ft. at 4400 rpm. As a comparison, that’s just 7 lbs.-ft. shy of the larger 5.0-liter V8 that powers the S-Class, the CL-Class and the SL-Class.

The top-class technology of the new Mercedes-AMG models will guarantee mile after mile of sheer driving enjoyment. The supercharged AMG V6 engine with 349 hp enters a new realm in terms of torque. A stout 332 pound-feet of torque is on tap from 4400 rpm – an absolutely outstanding value which makes the C32 AMG and SLK32 AMG the world torque champions among all series-production cars in their respective segments. The torque band of this supercharged six-cylinder powerplant is equally impressive. About 300 lbs.-ft. is available from as little as 2300 rpm, and this value remains constant up to 6100 rpm, providing outstanding acceleration at any time. Thanks to the enormous power on tap even at very low engine speeds, gliding along effortlessly in a high gear is as pleasurable as rushing the redline in the lower gears. And that rushing can be very quick, both cars preliminarily reaching 62.1 mph (100 kph) in less than 5.2 seconds. The C32 AMG sedan reaches the kilometer mark from rest in just 24.5 seconds, while the SLK32 AMG completes this exercise in just 24.2 seconds. All Mercedes-AMG models reach an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.

Mercedes-AMG also proves its great expertise where fuel economy is concerned. With NEDC combined fuel consumption (based on European testing criteria) of 21 mpg for the SLK32 AMG and 20.5 mpg for the C32 AMG sedan, the new high-performance cars demonstrate that power and excitement must by no means be at the expense of environmental compatibility. These performance cars also meet the European D4 emission standards thanks to the latest catalytic converter technology. In fact, these Mercedes-AMG models already comply with the stringent limits of the EU-4 emission standard, which does not come into effect until 2005. U.S. Federal EPA test results are expected this summer.

Comparative data:

The supercharger concept in conjunction with the advanced V6 engine provides the best conditions for top-notch performance together with optimum environmental compatibility. Two further comparisons illustrate the unique status of the new Mercedes-AMG supercharged engine: at 109 hp per liter of displacement it has the highest volumetric efficiency of any series-production gasoline engine with a belt-driven supercharger in the world. Its maximum mean pressure – a figure used by engine specialists to describe the absolute performance of an engine – is 17.7 bar (257 psi) at the maximum torque of 332 lbs.-ft. at 4400 rpm. With that rating, this supercharged V6 is the top production spark-ignition automobile engine with a belt-driven supercharger.

A newly designed supercharger lies at the heart of the powerplant and ensures an unusually high airflow rate. This belt-driven charger is of the helical type with cast aluminium, Teflon-coated rotors. At maximum engine speed these rotors reach up to 20,700 rpm, forcing up to 1200 kilograms (2646 lbs.) of air per hour into the cylinders of the AMG V6 engine. This innovative technology therefore produces a significantly higher charge pressure than conventional belt-driven charging systems. The supercharger in the Mercedes-AMG 3.2-liter V6 produces charge pressures of more than 1.0 bar (14.5 psi), or roughly 30 percent higher than comparable systems.

To achieve the greatest possible efficiency, engineers designed the supercharger to cut in via a magnetic clutch as a function of engine speed and load conditions. Jointly developed with specialists at the Japanese company IHI, the supercharger is not continuously driven. Under partial load conditions, the 3.2-litre V6 operates purely as a naturally aspirated engine. The supercharger only goes into instant action when the driver wishes to accelerate. There are many advantages to this solution: thermal efficiency, fuel consumption and noise/exhaust emissions all benefit.

The load- and rpm-dependent activation procedure is carried out by an electromagnetic coupling which obtains its control impulses directly from the newly developed, fully-electronic Bosch ME 2.8.1 engine management system. The driver feels and hears nothing of the supercharger activation. Torque build-up is extremely smooth and the supercharged V6 shows its muscle very evenly, with a surge of power already on tap from just above idle speed.

To improve efficiency even further, the specialists at Mercedes-AMG have developed an innovative charge cooler, or "intercooler". Mounted between the cylinder banks, this is connected to a separate radiator located at the front of the vehicle in the fresh air stream. In contrast to conventional air-to-air systems, where ignition timing and therefore engine power must be reduced under certain thermal load conditions, this sophisticated counterflow water-to-air cooler always enables the full output and torque potential of the supercharged V6 to be exploited.

To achieve these top power figures, the technicians at Mercedes-AMG build every engine by hand, ensuring the closest possible tolerances. This is where individual workmanship and skill count: each technician is responsible for a complete engine. With the utmost care, the craftsman installs each and every part himself, from the crankshaft, connecting rods and pistons to the supercharger. To achieve the exceptional performance characteristics and the long operating life typical of a Mercedes, the Mercedes-AMG engineers were also obliged to make significant modifications to the mechanics of the engine. The know-how gained during three decades of motor racing is incorporated into this process, as are the strict Mercedes-Benz standards.

These modifications included the following:

a new crankshaft with bearings adapted to the high torque

new stronger connecting rods

pistons of highly temperature-resistant material defy the high temperatures at peak pressures of more than 90 bar (1305 psi)

a new balancer shaft suited to the dynamic nature of the engine

a new oil pump with higher output for a reliable oil supply to the oil nozzles, and new oil nozzles with increased output by 70 percent to optimize internal engine cooling

extremely lightweight, multi-piece camshafts

higher-rate valvesprings to enable a higher redline and handle the resulting valve forces.

The modifications to the valvetrain enabled a rise in redline from 6000 rpm to 6220 rpm. In addition, the greater lift and duration of valve events allow the six cylinders to be charged more efficiently. To achieve compact installed dimensions, Mercedes-AMG dispenses with the usual hot film air mass measurement in the engine management system, integrating a pressure sensor into the charger module instead. The engine management system of the supercharged V6 is the first in the world to meet the strict EU-4 emission standard with this sophisticated technology.

The Sound of Power

Technological refinement also marks the exhaust system. With the exception of the two exhaust manifolds, the complete exhaust system of the C32 AMG and SLK32 AMG have both been redesigned. All four catalytic converters are of ceramic material and feature thin-wall technology. The larger surface areas in the catalytic converters ensure a reduced exhaust backpressure and more rapid heating on a cold start. This benefits both performance and exhaust emissions. The sound escaping from the characteristic, twin-oval AMG tailpipe is also exciting, for the supercharged engine produces a sound with a very special resonance that manages to avoid being irritating.

AMG SpeedShift™: A New Speed for Automatics

The high-tech V6 transfers power to the rear wheels via a five-speed automatic transmission with a newly developed one-touch function to suit the extremely sporty character of the new AMG models. Mercedes-AMG’s SpeedShift configuration combines the advantages of a five-speed automatic transmission with the immediacy and control of a manual transmission for the first time.

Innovations include:

Active braking downshift: If a high pre-set rate of deceleration is achieved, the transmission automatically executes a downshift – useful before taking a bend briskly, for example. At a high pre-set rate of lateral acceleration, the transmission maintains the same gear through the entire bend, preventing load-change reactions. In addition, selection of the correct gear allows the car to be quickly and powerfully accelerated on exiting the bend. Both hands may stay on the wheel, for a further increase in driving enjoyment and safety. The almost instantaneous calculation of longitudinal and lateral acceleration forces necessary for the active braking downshift function is carried out by wheel speed sensors acting in conjunction with the transmission management system.

Optimum gear function: This technology makes overtaking easier by automatically selecting the gear that ensures the best acceleration according to the speed and pre-stored characteristic engine data when the shift lever is moved to the left and briefly held in that position.

Torque converter lockup: A lighter torque converter with a lower inertia reduces torque converter slip above first gear by means of a mechanical lockup clutch. This means that the V6 engine responds immediately and directly to the accelerator in any driving situation.

Sporty shift program: The engineers at Mercedes-AMG have also configured the Speedshift program in line with the engine’s dynamic character. The shift points and shift logic are tailored to the high-performance engine. The result is 35 percent more rapid gearshift response compared with the basis transmission.

Naturally, the transmission also shifts down to the correct gear in other situations, intelligently taking account of the driver’s requirements by analyzing the pedal and driving dynamics. It also rapidly recognises gradients and will use the braking effect of the engine on downhill stretches, for example. This transmission may either be controlled by one-touch shifting (+/-), or manually, and is specifically configured for the uncompromisingly sporty character of the new AMG high-performance cars. The selected gear is displayed in the AMG instrument cluster.

The agile handling and stopping ability of the Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG are owed directly to Mercedes-AMG’s racing successes, which span 30-plus years. The C32 AMG’s suspension is specifically tailored to offer outstanding performance with reconfigured springs, dampers and a new stabilizer bar for the front suspension and for the Mercedes-pioneered multi-link independent rear suspension. Larger stabilizer bars limit roll when negotiating bends briskly. Precise road feel as well as inventive brake cooling is taken care of by new twin-spoke 17-inch AMG light-alloy wheels painted in sterling silver. At 7.5 x 17 inches in front with 225/45ZR17 tires and 8.5 x17 inches in back with 245/40ZR17 tires, the new configuration ensures precise handling together with a high level of long-distance comfort and outstanding rolling characteristics.

Mercedes-AMG’s racing experience shows even more in the C32 AMG’s competition-derived braking components. The newly developed braking system is always ready to deliver outstanding stopping power. Front brake disc diameter has increased by 0.43-in. compared with the preceding C43 AMG model, providing the best possible basis for short braking distances and fade-free performance. Cross-drilled, internally vented, 13.6- x 1.2-in. brake discs are used at the front, with internally vented 11.8- x .9-in. discs at the rear.

In preliminary brake testing from 100 km/h (62.1 mph), the new C32 AMG comes to a complete stop after just 118 feet. Naturally, the standard anti-lock braking system with electronic brake force distribution, the Electronic Stability Program ESP, Brake Assist and the traction control system have been specially programmed to suit the dynamic performance of these cars.

Thanks to their powerful, supercharged engines, the new C32 AMG and SLK32 AMG quickly take one’s thoughts back to the glorious tradition of Mercedes-Benz. Just mentioning "supercharger" triggers a host of glorious stories among car lovers, their thoughts going back to the legendary Mercedes-Benz Type S (Sport) models which caused such a sensation on racetracks towards the end of the 1920s. From these Type S models, Mercedes also developed the SS (Super Sport), SSK (Super Sport Kurz, or "Short") and SSKL (Super Sport Kurz Leicht, or "Short Light"). These were landmark road cars that featured the era’s most exciting technology and performance.

Words are scarcely enough to describe the power generated by the supercharged engines in these cars. A test report of the time written by a British motoring journalist indicates what happens when the engine of a Mercedes-Benz S begins to deliver its full power: "At this point, you think you are travelling quite fast, and of course you are. But then you depress the throttle completely, and the supercharger cuts in with a furious bellow. You feel your neck being snapped backwards and the car shoots forward as if propelled by a rocket." The supercharged sports cars of the 1920s were also automobiles with a very human special character: Alfred Neubauer, many years the Mercedes-Benz Racing Manager. This series of racing cars gave motorsports a specific character. The racing legend Rudolf Caracciola gained his world reputation with these Mercedes sportsters.

Also unforgotten are the eight-cylinder Mercedes-Benz models 500K and 540K; powerful and sleek sports cars of the 1930s. The open-top roadsters from Stuttgart gained a reputation that lasts to this day, with breathtaking technology that made them among the most desirable dream cars of their time. This tradition links those historic models to the modern C32 AMG and the SLK32 AMG, yet with new, unique highlights.

The C32 AMG immediately confirms its membership to the AMG family of high-performance cars with uncompromising sportiness with the elegance typical of a Mercedes. The striking front air dam with its integral fog lights emphasises power. The special side skirts continue the muscular lines of the front air dam and impart motion even when still. The rear apron shape echoes that of the front and side skirts, harmoniously rounding off the picture in conjunction with the special AMG rear silencer and the chrome-plated twin tailpipes. The overall design is neatly complemented by the new twin-five spoke light-alloy wheels painted in sterling silver. The unique status of these potent new AMG models is clearly, yet discreetly indicated by the V6 Kompressor lettering on the front fender.

Exclusive styling and exquisite appointments dominate the C32 AMG’s interior. Aluminium trim on the center console and door panels emphasize the car’s high-tech character. A special instrument cluster and the tilt/telescoping AMG leather sports steering wheel with decorative seams in silver are typical AMG features. The AMG sport seats – upholstered in fine Nappa leather with an option of two-tone colors at no extra cost – perfectly represent the company’s exquisite style. The seats are not only electrically adjustable for height and backrest angle; their special contours also provide optimum lateral support when cornering at speed. The interior door panels and the gear lever are trimmed in fine-quality leather.

The Mercedes-Benz C32 AMG supersedes the C43 AMG and the European-market, small-series produced C55 AMG, of which approx. 4200 have been produced. Together with the C36 AMG – the very first complete AMG vehicle – a total of some 9000 sporty C-Class vehicles drove out of the production buildings in Affalterbach and Bremen between 1994 and May, 2000. The new C32 AMG and SLK32 AMG will continue this success story.

A M G. These three letters have long stood for outstanding, top technology, performance and exquisite luxury. Thanks to its continuous success, Mercedes-AMG is also a profitable, innovative and constantly growing company.

Being the performance division within Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG GmbH specialises in the development of unique high-performance cars. The company is based in Affalterbach (near Stuttgart) and has responsibility for all its own development processes relating to engines, drivetrain, suspension, brakes, aerodynamics, interior and design.

"With our wide range of products, we offer exciting high-performance cars and meet even the most demanding customer wishes. Mercedes-AMG represents both emotional appeal and ultimate performance in equal measure," says Ulrich Bruhnke, Managing Director of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. New AMG cars are included in the preliminary specifications booklet from the very start of the conceptual phase of every new Mercedes-Benz and, like every Mercedes-Benz vehicle, pass through every development stage right up to series production maturity. All the high-tech test benches and test tracks are available to the company. On the engine test rigs in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim, Mercedes-AMG engines may be seen running directly alongside McLaren-Mercedes Formula 1 powerplants. During development and production, each Mercedes-AMG product is subject to precisely the same quality standards that apply to any other vehicle bearing the Mercedes-Benz star. Significant advantages in function, quality and long operating life are the result, rather than retrofitted solutions.

Mercedes-AMG currently has roughly 470 employees, all highly motivated and qualified specialists who constantly search for the best possible solution to any potential problem. Managing Director Ulrich Bruhnke: "Emotive products can only be developed and produced by emotionally committed employees. A willingness to work as a team and enthusiasm for ambitious projects of all kinds are an inseparable part of the company philosophy, and are lived on a day-to-day basis by every employee of Mercedes-AMG."

In the supercharged V6 engine of the C32 AMG and SLK32 AMG, Mercedes-Benz uses two spark plugs per cylinder, with resultant benefits in the form of short ignition paths and optimized combustion control. The two spark plugs are located near the cylinder walls and are therefore in a favorable position for optimum ignition of the air/fuel mixture. Among other things, the dual ignition system activates the two spark plugs in each cylinder one after the other in quick succession (rather than simultaneously), with varied "stagger," depending on engine load and speed. This phase-shifted twin-plug sequence (as well as the basic ignition timing) changes after each combustion cycle for extremely precise control of the combustion process. This also enables combustion chamber pressures to be closely controlled to minimize combustion noise without sacrificing efficiency. In addition, the dual ignition system allows an extremely lean fuel-air mixture and late ignition timing during warm-up (retarded by 5-10 crank degrees) that further increases exhaust gas volume and temperature. In this way, the tri-metal catalytic converter is heated up more quickly and begins converting pollutants even sooner.

These Mercedes-Benz engines all feature innovative three-valve-per-cylinder technology, which can reduce exhaust emissions dramatically – over 40 percent – during the critical warm-up stage. Catalysts must heat up to work effectively, and this takes nearly two minutes with most modern engines. Increasingly strict emissions limits mean this converter light-off time must be reduced to about one minute, and the new Mercedes-Benz engines meet these tough criteria. There’s about 30 percent less surface area at the exhaust port, relative to a comparable four-valve engine, which dramatically reduces exhaust heat losses between the engine and the catalytic converter. This translates to higher exhaust temperature (about 70 degrees Centigrade or 125 degrees Fahrenheit) and converter "light-off" about 12 seconds earlier.

Combustion heat in each of the large, single exhaust valves is dissipated through a sodium-filled valve stem, while exhaust heat is retained and insulated by double-wall piping in the exhaust manifold. The seamless double-wall manifold is made by using high-pressure liquid-forming technology, for greater durability and lighter weight.

Winner of the Discover Magazine Award For Technological Innovation in 1996, the breakthrough safety system helps drivers maintain directional stability – especially on slippery or gravel-covered roads – by preventing oversteer (rear-end "fishtailing") or understeer (front-end "plowing"). ESP can sense impending loss of control – at the front or rear end – and momentarily apply the brake on one wheel to restore stability, something that even a skilled driver cannot do.

Using electronic sensors and computer logic, the new system calculates every microsecond if the car is going exactly in the direction it is being steered. If there’s the slightest difference between what the driver is "asking" (through the steering wheel) and what the vehicle is doing, the system corrects with split-second speed by applying one of the left or right-side brakes, even before the driver may sense any changes.

ESP uses the angle of the steering wheel and the speed of the four tires to calculate the path being steered, and it gets electronic signals about lateral "g" and vehicle "yaw" to measure what the car is actually doing. (Yaw can be demonstrated by rotating a model car on a toothpick stuck through its roof; engineers define yaw as the vehicle’s rotation on its vertical center axis.)

ESP measures any tendency toward understeer (when a car is slow to respond to steering changes) or oversteer (when the rear wheels try to swing around, causing the car to "fishtail"). Whenever it senses understeer in a turn, ESP increases brake pressure to the inside rear wheel. With an oversteer tendency, it increases brake pressure to the outside front wheel.

The Mercedes-Benz 190 in 1983 also marked the start of the multi-link independent suspension system, which still remains unsurpassed in many respects today. The multi-link principle is based on practical research and computer simulations to establish the best possible kinetic behavior for the rear wheels of a car. If one looks at a wheel suspended in space, without any axle connections whatsoever, it is able to move in six possible ways. It can push or pull vertically or horizontally and it can turn in three directions. However, the aim of suspension engineers is to prevent uncontrolled kinematic behavior of this kind and restrict the wheel’s freedom so that it only moves along a precisely defined spatial curve. They therefore attached the wheel to the axle using five flexibly mounted, independently moving links that limit five of its movement possibilities. Because of this sophisticated suspension design each of the rear wheels is able to move in only one way: controlled upward or downward suspension travel.

The sidebags fitted as standard in the C32 AMG and SLK32 AMG are located in the front doors above the armrests, and the rear doors of the C32 AMG. Each of these asymmetrically formed air cushions has a volume of approximately 12 liters (C32 AMG) or approximately 15 liters (SLK 32 AMG). In a side impact, the sidebag deploys, forming a cushion between the car occupant and the door, thereby preventing the occupant from making direct contact with the door or side panels. This has two beneficial effects. The sidebag not only significantly reduces chest loads acting on the occupant on the side of the impact, it also limits movement by the occupant's torso.

Working in conjunction with existing door-mounted side airbags (first introduced on Mercedes E-Class and SL roadsters in 1996), the curtain side airbag is the only system that can prevent both front and rear occupants from hitting their heads on the side window or roof pillars in a severe side collision. In addition, the air-filled cushion can block glass splinters or other objects that could cause injury in a side impact or rollover. Over six feet long, 14 inches in height and about two inches thick, each curtain side airbag deploys from the ceiling directly above the side windows in about 25 milliseconds and extends across both front side and rear side windows. There is a curtain airbag on each side of the car.

The curtain side airbag design is based on findings from Mercedes Accident Research, whose experts conducted detailed analyses of lateral impacts. Many severe and often fatal head injuries in side collisions are due either to objects intruding into the interior or the whiplash movement of the head toward the window. Crash tests with the curtain side airbag indicate about a 90 percent reduction in the forces likely to cause head injuries.

Xenon headlamps use xenon gas and metallic salts as a light source. Under high voltage, an arc of light is created; this replaces the filament used in conventional lamps. Similar to flourescent lights, the ignition voltage of up to 28,000 volts is provided by an electronic ballast in the headlamp housing. The light beam generated by Xenon technology is brighter than a halogen lamp, it has five times the operating life and consumes 30 percent less power. More importantly, the light quality (technically, the color temperature) is closer to that of natural daylight. To avoid dazzling oncoming traffic, Mercedes-Benz has developed an electronically controlled, active headlamp aiming system that automatically detects changes in the vehicle’s body attitude and adjusts the headlamp reflectors with the help of electric motors.