Mercedes-Benz Performance Tour: Rewarding Loyalty
For several years, Mercedes-Benz Canada has offered advanced driver training through the Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy. It’s a very honourable program, considering that training is undoubtedly the best way to ensure your and your children’s safety on the road. Plus, it helps improve what is an everyday activity for many: driving. Last summer, we had the opportunity to participate in a Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy training session. Open to everyone, these advanced driving courses help drivers acquire better skills while giving them a chance to get behind the wheel of an array of remarkable cars, including a few AMG models.
Last year, Mercedes-Benz took the idea a step further by introducing a global initiative called AMG Performance Tour. This tour, however, is open only to Mercedes-Benz customers. In fact, Mercedes-Benz Canada is inviting, through its dealerships, hand-picked customers who are either loyal to or interested in AMG products to participate in an unforgettable driver training program. Last year’s inaugural program took place in Dallas, while the 2010 edition took place under the bright lights of Las Vegas.
A bevy of dream cars
Just reading the invitation was enough to capture the imagination of any car lover. Las Vegas is an attractive destination to begin with, but the list of vehicles on hand made performance enthusiasts drooling. All 13AMG models were present and accounted for, including the SL, CLS, C, S, ML and E 63 AMG, but the uncontested showstopper was the new uber-car at Mercedes-Benz: the SLS AMG... Hard to imagine a more enticing venture!
As the realm of casinos and luxury awoke from its slumber, the bus was taking us to the private race track at the Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch, located about 45 minutes from Las Vegas. The promoter’s idea is for the client to feel right at home at the track. That’s why it has a clubhouse worthy of the greatest golf courses with a patio and BBQ, a private garage that can be rented to store your high-performance car, a spa where you can get a relaxing massage, a pool and hot tub, a race simulator... Basically, there’s everything you need for comfort. Yet, with the cost of membership at a cool $100,000 plus the other extras, you’re going to need much more significant means than most of us to join.
Good things come in small packages!
Canada represents a very important market for AMG with many units sold annually. These high-performance cars, built from Mercedes-Benz production models, take output up a notch thanks to more powerful engines and to a series of modifications that make handling sportier overall. However, to respect the tastes of buyers, every AMG model still has the production model’s fundamental qualities. Comfort is still the priority in the S-Class AMG, whereas more extreme sportiness will be number one with the SL AMG.
The Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG turned out to be one of the most attractive cars in the whole line, which is very ironic given that it’s the most affordable AMG. With a price slightly higher than $63,000 and its 6.2-litre, 451-horsepower V8 engine, it’s one heckuva car. Agile and powerful, it handled magnificently on the track because of its lightness and its efficient braking. The BMW M3 is still quite a car but with its lower price and superior power, especially its torque, the C63 AMG takes the lead.
Of course, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG’s presence just couldn’t be ignored. It’s the return of a mythical car, since it captures the very essence of the Mercedes 300SL. With its roadster-esque proportions and vertically opening Gullwing doors, it’s a car that will get noticed. What a pleasure it is just to drive this performance car designed and developed entirely by AMG. With its 563 HP and a surprising 479 lbs-ft of torque, the 6.2-litre V8 gives the SLS AMG exemplary performances, all accompanied by a sound as exciting as a symphony orchestra.
The SLS’ best feature turns out to be its handling. Solid as a rock, the car takes on corner after corner with practically no weight transfer. Of course, it’s an exceptional car and the asking price of the SLS AMG reflects that. However, be aware that there’s already a waiting list to get one and don’t expect to be able to negotiate much on the price. There are very few cars that deserves a $200,000 tab, but, like the Audi R8, the Mercedes SLS AMG is one of them.
As for the Mercedes-Benz Performance Tour, this program is an extremely appealing way to thank its best clients and promote AMG products. For the rest of us who would love to experience something similar, you can always make do with the manufacturer’s advanced driver training program. These courses are offered in different places across Canada at more than reasonable prices. And you know what, you’ll probably get the chance to drive the SLS AMG!