In a year in which arch-rivals such as BMW are present in a smaller format and only the Volkswagen Group rivals Daimler in occupying a pavilion, Mercedes-Benz and Smart (especially the former) are in force... and driven, mostly , electricity.
There are, in all, more than a dozen world premieres, between new models and updates — from absolute novelties like the GLB to the retouched Smart (exclusively) electric, passing through a series of plug-in hybrids and up to 100% electric of the brand of the star.
However, not only electricity moves the star brand's novelties at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. we had early access to all the news from the group , where the octane also had a strong presence by the experienced hand of AMG.
The stars? The Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC and the “war” versions of the brand's SUVs, the Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC and the Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupé 4MATIC+.
All of them with clothes capable of catching the attention of the most absent-minded driver, and with powerful four- and six-cylinder engines. In the case of the two smaller AMGs, despite both having a four-cylinder 2.0 l turbo petrol engine, they are totally different units.
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In case of GLB 35 , the engine is the M 260, to be announced "only" 306 hp (5800-6100 rpm) and 400 Nm (3000-4000 rpm). Coupled with an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox and 4MATIC four-wheel drive (50:50), it is capable of launching the SUV with up to seven seats up to 100 km/h in just 5.2s and reaches 250 km/h of maximum (limited) speed.
In case of At 45s , the M 139 sets the bar pretty high when it comes to four-cylinder engines in production — it's simply the most powerful four-cylinder in the world! 421 hp at 6750 rpm and 500 Nm 500 between 5000 rpm and 5250 rpm — in the regular version, not “S”, it also surpasses all other four cylinders on the market, by debiting 387 hp at 6500 rpm and 480 Nm between 4750 rpm and 5000 rpm.
The M 139 is coupled to an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox and also has the 4MATIC system, with the benefits being, simply, ballistic: this hot mega hatch only needs 3.9s to reach 100 km/h and maximum speed amounts to 270 km/h.
Finally, the GLE 53 Coupe , presented simultaneously with the second generation of the GLE Coupé, is powered by a 3.0 l inline six-cylinder petrol engine. 435 hp and 520 Nm , promising 5.3s from 0 to 100 km and 250 km/h of top speed.
Like the other “53” from AMG, the GLE 53 Coupé is also a semi-hybrid (EQ Boost), which allowed the integration of an electric compressor to complement the turbo at low speeds.
Hydrocarbons, and more specifically, octanes, still reign in Affalterbach's household, but as the “53” demonstrates, electrification will little by little become part of the menu — no reason to fear it … it will certainly mean even more powerful monsters. See the case of the very special One.
When do you arrive in Portugal?
The Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC is expected to arrive closer to the end of the year. The Mercedes-AMG GLB 35 4MATIC and Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 Coupé 4MATIC+ are only scheduled for arrival in the first quarter of 2020.