A weekend with Mercedes Benz AMG Private Lounge and Driving Academy

Team PuristSPro spent a high speed Saturday at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA with Mercedes AMG Private Lounge and Driving Academy.

The AMG Private Lounge is an official Mercedes Benz exclusive community for AMG owners. It offers special access to driving events, auto show parties (such as the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show), sneak previews, and specialized apparel and collectibles. In addition these driving events, AMG also offers a 5651 square feet Private Lounge in Affalterbach, Germany where AMG owners and potential customers can visit for a guided factory tour.

We arrived in the early afternoon for registration and while we waited for the presentation session, we checked out the AMG SL63.

Outside the paddock area was a CLK AMG DTM. I like the styling of the aggressive flared fenders.

Besides MB AMG sports cars, there were a few exotics as well like this McLaren MP4-12C

And a rare Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder Performante

The parking lot was full of AMG's. In fact, during the presentation I learned that nearly 80% of all AMG's are sold in Southern California. Now I believe this because of the impressive number of AMG's that showed up for this event.

Besides the regular production AMG series of cars, there were many Black Series, like this C63 AMG Black Series sports car.

And a sleek looking AMG SL63

In lieu of the 3 point MB star, AMG has a special logo for their cars

A neat looking carbon front grill. Upon closer inspection, it was actually carbon fiber wrap.

After hanging around for while, the presentation started for our group

Here's a quick video of the introductions of the AMG team

And a presentation by MB driver Reinhold Renger, Chief Instructor of the AMG Driving Academy

Before getting into the cars, it was time for a group photo:

In the parking lot I spotted this aggressively lowered and negatively cambered AMG car.

And a classic AMG in fantastic condition

AMG race cars returning from the track

Next, we headed over to the autocross track for a test drive a few laps around the course

The AMG driving instructor talks about the course and driving rules. At the end of the track with the checkered flag, you're supposed to come to a complete stop.

And a final video of the AMG SLK65 at the autocross

Hope you all enjoyed the photo and video report. Thanks to the AMG Private Lounge staff for their warm hospitality and an enjoyable afternoon with some phenomenal sports cars.
Regards,
ED-209

This message has been edited by ED209 on 2012-10-31 19:58:55 This message has been edited by ED209 on 2012-10-31 22:17:14 This message has been edited by ThomasM on 2012-11-01 07:29:10

So what's your driving impression on the cars? I've never owned any AMG cars, but have driven some in past years. In my opinion, they are very powerful cars, but not quite up to par in the handling and drivability department comparing to the Porsches and ...

Having had some long term seat time in both Mcars and AMG

By: ThomasM : November 2nd, 2012-09:07

Iwould tend to agree with you on the older cars, but not so much the current 2007+ cars. In fact, BMW seems to begoing towards the older Audi / MB feel (slightly dead) while the current AMG models are building in much more of the "feel" of the older BMW's...

Automotive