What Is the Difference Between AMG and AMG Line?

How to tell them apart

The two can look alike in photos, so go by the model name. A Mercedes-AMG model carries AMG in the name: AMG C 43 Sedan, AMG GLC 53 4MATIC+ SUV, AMG E 53 HYBRID Sedan, AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ SUV.

AMG Line shows up as an option or standard feature on a regular model such as a C 300, GLC 300, CLE 300 or GLE 450. Mercedes-AMG itself is the performance division of Mercedes-Benz, based in Affalterbach, Germany.

Engine and performance

This is the real gap. Here is what Mercedes-Benz USA lists for regular models next to their AMG counterparts:

• C 300 Sedan: 2.0L inline-4 turbo with mild hybrid drive, 255 hp, 0–60 mph in 6.0 seconds, rear-wheel drive
• AMG C 43 Sedan: handcrafted 2.0L inline-4 turbo with an electric exhaust-gas turbocharger and hybrid assist, 416 hp, 0–60 in 4.3 seconds, AMG Performance 4MATIC
• AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE Sedan: Performance Plug-In Hybrid, 671 hp, 752 lb-ft, 0–60 in 3.3 seconds
• GLC 300 4MATIC SUV: 255 hp, 295 lb-ft
• AMG GLC 53 4MATIC+ SUV: AMG-enhanced 3.0L inline-6 turbo with hybrid assist, 443 hp, 0–60 in 4.0 seconds
• E 450 4MATIC Sedan: 3.0L inline-6 turbo with mild hybrid drive, 375 hp
• AMG E 53 HYBRID Sedan: Performance Plug-In Hybrid, 577 hp, 0–60 in 3.9 seconds
• GLE 450 4MATIC SUV: 375 hp; AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ SUV: handcrafted 4.0L V8 biturbo, 603 hp, 0–60 in 3.6 seconds

Suspension, brakes and drivetrain

The AMG hardware goes well past the engine. The AMG C 43 Sedan gets AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension, the AMG Sport Braking System, three-stage AMG parameter steering with active rear-wheel steering, an AMG Sport Exhaust System and a 9-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT transmission. The C 63 S E PERFORMANCE steps up to the AMG High-performance Composite Braking System.

The AMG GLC 53 4MATIC+ SUV uses AMG-developed springs and shock absorbers with three-stage variable damping, plus AMG Performance 4MATIC+ that can send up to 100% of torque to the rear wheels. The AMG GLE 63 S 4MATIC+ SUV rides on self-leveling AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL with roll stabilization.

AMG Line, by Mercedes-Benz USA's description, adds sporty chassis and cabin upgrades. What that includes varies by model, so read the window sticker line by line. None of the AMG Line descriptions I checked on mbusa.com mention the engine, and the C 300 and GLC 300 4MATIC are listed at 255 hp.

Styling

Here AMG Line closes most of the visual gap. How Mercedes-Benz USA describes it, model by model:

• C-Class and CLE: sporty chassis and cabin upgrades wrapped in aggressively athletic lower body styling and AMG wheels
• GLC: AMG body styling and sporty cabin details
• GLE: AMG wheels, bumpers and color-keyed fender flares; AMG Line Plus adds sport seats and more
• S-Class: aero-sculpted lower bodywork around AMG wheels, and the AMG wheels require AMG Line
• Night Package, available on several lines, adds gloss black or darkened exterior details

Standard or optional

AMG Line is standard on some models and optional on others. On the CLE it's standard on the CLE 450 and optional on the CLE 300. On the GLE it's optional on the GLE 350 and standard on the GLE 450. The E-Class Sedan lists AMG body styling as standard: a sporty front apron, flared side sills and a sculpted rear bumper.

The AMG models add their own design cues. The AMG C 43 Sedan, for example, gets an AMG-specific grille and 18-inch AMG wheels.

Who should choose which

Choose AMG Line if you want the sharper look on the regular model and its regular engine. A GLC 300 with AMG Line, or a GLE 450 where it's standard, fits a buyer who cares how the car looks but doesn't need AMG performance.

Choose a Mercedes-AMG model if the driving is the point: the acceleration numbers, the AMG suspension and brakes, the AMG all-wheel drive. Each handcrafted AMG engine follows a one man, one engine approach, with one builder assembling it and signing a plaque attached to it.

If you can't decide, drive both back to back on the same road before you choose.

Questions people ask

Is a Mercedes-Benz with AMG Line an AMG?

No. AMG Line is a styling, chassis and cabin option on a regular model. Mercedes-AMG models carry AMG in the model name, such as the AMG C 43 Sedan or AMG GLC 53 4MATIC+ SUV.

Does AMG Line add horsepower?

Mercedes-Benz USA's AMG Line descriptions don't mention the engine. The C 300 Sedan is listed at 255 hp, while the AMG C 43 Sedan is listed at 416 hp.

Is AMG Line standard?

It depends on the model. It's standard on the CLE 450 and GLE 450 and optional on the CLE 300 and GLE 350.

What does handcrafted mean on an AMG engine?

Mercedes-AMG builds its handcrafted engines on a one man, one engine approach: a single builder assembles each engine and signs a plaque attached to it. Engines Mercedes-Benz USA lists as AMG-enhanced, such as the inline-6 in the AMG GLC 53, are not described as handcrafted.

Models in this guide

• Mercedes-Benz C-Class
• Mercedes-Benz GLC
• Mercedes-Benz GLE
• Mercedes-Benz E-Class