Mercedes-AMGs to be hybrid powered by 2020

Mercedes-AMG vehicles will embrace hybrid power by 2020, according to the company’s R & D boss, Thomas Weber.

Speaking with Autocar in the UK, Weber says Mercedes will be working on incorporating its current hybrid powertrain technology into its AMG range of high performance vehicles.

He admits the increasing pressure to trim CO₂ outputs across the board as the main reason AMG is going hybrid.

“Every car line has to reduce fuel consumption, even AMG,” said Weber, who acknowledges it is no easy task for AMG to reduce its fuel consumption across its range.

He also concedes AMG customers might not be ready for hybrid performance, as extensive customer research suggests most of AMG’s customers want the highest performance with no compromises: “We haven’t done it so far, because right now the customer wouldn’t buy it,” says Weber.

However, ready or not, he is adamant that by 2020, hybrid power will be a feature of AMG: “In our development department, we are already planning for the time when we will have to offer them something special,” Weber added.

As to the type of hybrid setup, Weber believes a light, cheap and simple e-boost solution similar to the current Mercedes Bluetec Hybrid, with a small motor and battery, is a viable option.