Ron Ananian, The Car Doctor Interview - Mercedes AMG Book with Matt Delorenzo, Author - November 8, 2025
About this episode
Ron Ananian interviews Matt DiLorenzo, author of 'Mercedes AMG,' diving into the history and performance legacy of the AMG brand. They discuss how AMG transformed from a garage operation into a powerhouse within Mercedes, highlighting key models and innovations like the iconic 'Red Pig' and the AMG GT. The conversation explores the blend of luxury and high performance that defines AMG vehicles, as well as the unique engineering behind their bespoke models. DiLorenzo shares insights from his research and the significance of AMG in motorsports and consumer markets.
This week, Ron talks with automotive journalist Matt DeLorenzo, author of Mercedes AMG, about how two German engineers turned a luxury car brand into a racing powerhouse. From the birth of AMG in a small town workshop to the legendary “Flying Pig” that stunned the racing world, Matt shares how Mercedes’ high-performance division grew into one of motorsport’s most dominant forces. Hear the story behind the initials A-M-G, why each engine is hand-built by a single craftsman, and how today’s AMG hypercars still carry that racing DNA. Whether you’re a Benz fan or just love great car stories, this deep dive into performance history is one you won’t want to miss.
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Mercedes AMG
"And I recently came across Mercedes AMG and I thought, you know, there's something..."
Mercedes AMG is a part of Mercedes-Benz that makes super fast and powerful cars. They take regular Mercedes cars and make them even better for performance.
Mercedes AMG is the performance division of Mercedes-Benz, specializing in high-performance vehicles that offer enhanced power, handling, and luxury features.
racing engines
"...they developed some racing engines and built a race car and campaigned it for a year..."
Racing engines are special types of engines made to go really fast in races. They are built differently than regular car engines to give more power and speed.
Racing engines are high-performance engines specifically designed for motorsport applications. They are built to deliver maximum power and efficiency under race conditions, often featuring advanced technologies and materials.
Mercedes-Benz Hammer
"...introduced this car called the Hammer that got everybody's attention. It was putting a big V8 in a mid-sized Mercedes..."
The Mercedes-Benz Hammer was a fast car that had a big V8 engine. It was important because it changed how Mercedes thought about making powerful cars.
The Mercedes-Benz Hammer was a high-performance version of the Mercedes-Benz models, particularly known for its powerful V8 engine. It gained notoriety for its impressive speed and performance, marking a shift in Mercedes' approach to performance vehicles.
V8 engine
"...It was putting a big V8 in a mid-sized Mercedes. And then they started helping Mercedes..."
A V8 engine is a type of engine with eight cylinders that helps cars go faster and run more smoothly. It's often used in powerful cars.
A V8 engine is an eight-cylinder engine configuration where the cylinders are arranged in a V shape. This design allows for more power and smoother operation compared to smaller engines, making it popular in performance and luxury cars.
Mercedes S65 AMG
"...buy a Mercedes S65 AMG and his reasoning was, that's just the most expensive one..."
The Mercedes S65 AMG is a very expensive and powerful car that offers a lot of luxury features. It's part of the S-Class, which is known for being one of the best luxury sedans.
The Mercedes S65 AMG is a high-performance luxury sedan known for its powerful V12 engine and advanced technology. It represents the pinnacle of the S-Class lineup, combining luxury with exceptional performance.
hand-built engines
"And AMGs, since they were, they have hand built engines, their engines are built by one technician..."
Hand-built engines are made by one person instead of a machine. This means they can pay more attention to details, making the engine better.
Hand-built engines are crafted by a single technician, ensuring a high level of quality and attention to detail, which is a hallmark of luxury performance brands like AMG.
suspension
"But as you say, there's a lot more to it. I mean, the suspensions are different."
The suspension is what helps a car ride smoothly and handle turns better. Performance cars like AMGs have special suspensions to make them drive faster and more safely.
The suspension system of a vehicle is crucial for handling and ride comfort, and performance models like AMG often feature upgraded suspension components for improved dynamics.
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT
"...ere are actually now bespoke AMG models like the AMG GT, which is a sports car that actually competes wi..."
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT is a super-fast sports car that looks amazing and is built for speed. It's made by a special division of Mercedes that focuses on high-performance vehicles, making it a favorite among car lovers.
The Mercedes-Benz AMG GT is a high-performance sports car developed by Mercedes' performance division, AMG. Known for its sleek design and powerful engine, it competes with other luxury sports cars and is often highlighted for its driving dynamics and engineering excellence.
Porsche 911
"that actually competes with the Porsche 911."
The Porsche 911 is a well-known sports car famous for its unique shape and fast performance. It's one of the most popular sports cars in the world.
The Porsche 911 is a legendary sports car known for its distinctive design, rear-engine layout, and exceptional performance. It has been a benchmark in the sports car segment for decades.
Dodge
"I did a 100 year anniversary of Dodge."
Dodge is a car brand from the United States that makes various vehicles, including powerful sports cars and trucks.
Dodge is an American automobile brand known for its performance-oriented vehicles, including muscle cars and trucks.
Chevrolet Corvettes
"...a 100 year anniversary of Dodge. I did a book on Corvettes. I did a Mustang book."
The Chevrolet Corvette is a fast and stylish sports car made in America. It's famous for being fun to drive and has been around for a long time, making it a popular choice for car enthusiasts.
The Chevrolet Corvette is an iconic American sports car known for its performance, distinctive design, and rich history. Celebrated for its powerful engines and agile handling, the Corvette has become a symbol of American automotive engineering and is often discussed in the context of performance vehicles.
Ford Mustang
"I did a Mustang book."
The Ford Mustang is a well-known American car that is sporty and powerful, often seen as a symbol of freedom.
The Ford Mustang is a classic American muscle car known for its performance and iconic design, often associated with freedom and power.
Bmw M
"...we wanna do an AMG book. They had done a book on BMW M, which is somewhat analogous to AMG."
The BMW M Coupe (E36) is a sporty car that is designed for people who love to drive. It has a powerful engine and handles really well, making it a fun choice for those who enjoy a thrilling ride.
The BMW M Coupe (E36) is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, known for its sporty handling and powerful engine. As part of BMW's M division, it represents the brand's commitment to performance and driving pleasure, making it a popular topic among enthusiasts.
Mercedes-Benz SLS Gullwing
"when I was at Rodentrack and saw some of the early development on the SLS Gullwing, which was the first pure AMG product."
The SLS Gullwing is a fancy sports car from Mercedes-Benz that has unique doors that open upwards, and it's known for being very fast.
The Mercedes-Benz SLS Gullwing is a luxury sports car known for its distinctive gullwing doors and high performance, marking the first model developed entirely by AMG.
body kits
"...They were doing body kits and wheels and engine upgrades primarily for road cars for the public."
Body kits are special parts added to cars to make them look cooler and sometimes help them go faster. They can change how the car's body looks, like adding new bumpers or side panels.
Body kits are aftermarket modifications that enhance a car's appearance and aerodynamics, often including new bumpers, side skirts, and spoilers. They are popular among car enthusiasts looking to personalize their vehicles.
engine upgrades
"...They were doing body kits and wheels and engine upgrades primarily for road cars for the public."
Engine upgrades are changes made to a car's engine to make it faster or more powerful. This can involve adding new parts or tuning the engine to improve its performance.
Engine upgrades refer to modifications made to improve a vehicle's performance, such as increasing horsepower or torque. These can include changes to the engine components, tuning, or adding forced induction systems like turbochargers.
German touring car series
"with the German touring car series, which was wildly popular."
The German touring car series is a type of car racing that features regular cars that have been modified for racing. It's very popular and attracts a lot of fans.
The German touring car series refers to various racing competitions featuring modified production cars, primarily from German manufacturers. These series are known for their competitive nature and have a large following.
Le Mans
"It's one of its class at Le Mans, one at Daytona 24."
Le Mans is a big car race in France that lasts for 24 hours. Cars race around a track for a whole day, and it's a very challenging event.
Le Mans is a famous endurance race held annually in France, known for its grueling 24-hour format. It is one of the most prestigious events in sports car racing.
HWA
"...he formed his own company called HWA, his initials, Hans Werner-Aufrecht. And he actually builds a lot of the privateer GT racing cars..."
HWA is a company started by a man named Hans Werner-Aufrecht. They build race cars, especially for teams that want to compete in races, and they work closely with Mercedes.
HWA is a company founded by Hans Werner-Aufrecht that specializes in building racing cars, particularly for private teams in GT racing. They have a close relationship with Mercedes and contribute to their motorsports efforts.
privateer GT racing
"...he actually builds a lot of the privateer GT racing cars for Mercedes..."
Privateer GT racing is when independent teams race cars that they own, rather than being part of a big car company. They often get help from companies like HWA to build and support their race cars.
Privateer GT racing refers to a form of motorsport where independent teams, not directly affiliated with manufacturers, compete in GT races using cars that may be built or supported by companies like HWA. This allows for a diverse range of competitors in the GT racing scene.
Mercedes-Benz Sclass
"and they were doing some road cars for people. Mercedes had put a V8 engine in their S-Class. It had originally been used only in the big 600 limos."
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a very fancy and comfortable car that is often used by people who want the best in luxury. It has strong engines and lots of high-tech features, making it a top choice for those who enjoy a smooth ride.
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a flagship luxury sedan known for its advanced technology, comfort, and performance. It often features powerful engines, including V8s, and is considered a benchmark for luxury vehicles, making it a frequent topic in discussions about high-end cars.
Mercedes-Benz 600
"It had originally been used only in the big 600 limos."
The Mercedes-Benz 600 is a very luxurious car that was popular with famous people and leaders, known for being very comfortable.
The Mercedes-Benz 600 is a luxury car produced from the 1960s to the 1980s, known for its opulence and powerful V8 engine. It was often used by heads of state and celebrities.
6.2 liter V8
"they bought a Rect SEL with the 6.2 liter V8 in it"
A 6.2 liter V8 engine is a powerful engine with eight cylinders that can make a car go really fast.
A 6.2 liter V8 engine refers to an engine with a displacement of 6.2 liters and eight cylinders arranged in a V configuration. This engine size is known for delivering high performance and power.
Ford Capri
"of Ford Capri one, but the red pig came in second overall and first in class."
The Ford Capri is a sporty car made by Ford that was popular in Europe from the late 1960s to the mid-1980s. It was known for its good looks and fun driving experience.
The Ford Capri is a sports coupe that was produced by Ford Europe from 1969 to 1986. It was known for its stylish design and performance, making it popular in the European market.
Chevrolet Camaro
"a couple of other V8 cars. It was a Camaro that had sat on the pole and a Mustang in the ra..."
The Chevrolet Camaro is a sporty car that looks cool and goes really fast. It's similar to the Ford Mustang and is popular among people who love cars that are fun to drive.
The Chevrolet Camaro is a classic American muscle car that competes with the Ford Mustang, known for its sporty design and powerful engine options. Its performance and aggressive styling have made it a staple in the muscle car segment, often discussed in the context of racing and car culture.
BMW
"that would shut down 911s and BMWs. So they really brought it when it came to performance."
BMW is a well-known car brand that makes luxury cars, often recognized for their sporty performance and engineering.
BMW is a luxury car manufacturer known for producing high-performance vehicles, often competing with brands like Mercedes-Benz and Audi.
emissions
"Because of the emissions. They had noise regulations, emissions."
Emissions are the harmful gases that cars produce when they burn fuel. There are rules to keep these gases from polluting the air too much.
Emissions refer to the pollutants released into the atmosphere from vehicles, primarily from the combustion of fuel. Regulations are in place to limit these emissions to reduce environmental impact and improve air quality.
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