Mercedes-AMG to Build V12 Engines at Chicago Show

AMG 'One Man, One Engine' Philosophy Comes to Life on Show Floor

CHICAGO, Feb. 3 -- One of only 45 master engine builders from AMG, the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz, is demonstrating his skills at assembling an AMG engine from start to finish, right on the floor of the Chicago Auto Show. During news media activities at McCormick Place on February 9 and 10 prior to the public opening of the Show on Friday, February 11th, Michael Pfugfelder will build two 604-horsepower AMG V12 engines from crankshaft to valve covers at the Mercedes-Benz exhibit.

The live demonstration celebrates the Chicago Show launch of the new S65 AMG -- the quickest four-door production car on the planet. The new S65 AMG melds the whisper-smooth luxury of the top Mercedes-Benz four-door sedan with the staggering power of AMG's six-liter twin-turbo V12 engine, which whisks the car from 0 to 60 mph in about 4.2 seconds.

Other noteworthy cars at the Show include the next-generation M-Class sport utility -- a 2006 model that will go on sale this spring -- and another AMG model, the CLS55 AMG, which features a supercharged V8 powerplant. The 200-mph SLR McLaren super sports GT car -- also powered by an AMG supercharged V8 engine -- will be on display as well at the Mercedes-Benz exhibit.

One Man, One Engine

All AMG models are powered by a hand-assembled AMG engine. The company's "One Man, One Engine" philosophy means that a master engine builder assembles each engine from start to finish in the AMG headquarters in Affalterbach, Germany. Each engine builder completes only 2-3 engines per day, with total responsibility for their production. When it's done, the builder affixes a signature plate to each engine.

AMG has been a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler since 1999 and is located near Stuttgart in Affalterbach, Germany. Employing 650 specialists in development, production and administrative areas, AMG develops each of its models from the engine and driveline to suspension, brakes, chassis and aerodynamics. Each engine is produced and tested at AMG's headquarters, and AMG models are assembled at Mercedes-Benz plants. Spanning nearly all Mercedes-Benz model lines, more than 10,000 AMG models were sold in the U.S. during 2004.

About Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2004, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales record of 221,610 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in its history and achieving 11 consecutive years of sales growth. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found on the Internet at http://www.mbusa.com/ and http://www.maybachusa.com/.