Mercedes Announces C450 AMG Sport to Debut in Detroit

2015 Mercedes Benz C-Class (Credit: © Mercedes Benz)

Following suit from Audi and BMW, Mercedes is about to deploy its own in-between performance line that bridges the gap between the insanely-powerful AMG models and its more mainstream vehicles. The first debut of the new wave of models will be the C450 AMG Sport, and everyone will get a nice up-close view of it at the Detroit Auto Show in January, says Automotive News.

In case you aren’t aware, this new model is based on the C-Class and will slot below the C63 AMG. In fact, the latter car is officially slated to be shown off at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November of this year.

The good news is that if you aren’t quiet well-heeled enough to afford a C63 AMG, yet find the rest of the current C-Class line too “common” for your tastes, you will be able to go with the C450 AMG Sport. Nestled under the hood will be a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine that kicks out 329 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque. It’s likely engineers are coaxing a good 50 extra horsepower from the engine, but that will be part of the fun of the reveal in the Motor City. That’s not the earth-shattering performance the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 in the C63 AMG produces, but it’s also nothing to dismiss.

While details are still up in the air, many sources agree that the new C450 AMG Sport will be made with Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive at least as an option. If true, that will make the new model compelling to consumers who live where there’s significant snowfall each winter. Expect some exterior styling modifications, special AMG wheels that will be extra light, plus beefier brakes than what the C-Class has to offer.