Test track: Le Circuit Mont Tremblant

Question: Are you available on this certain Saturday to go to Mont Tremblant and drive the line-up of Mercedes AMG vehicles?

Answer: Umm, OK. Whatever Saturday that is, I’m available.

Pretty much a no-brainer. But when Winnipeg Men Magazine was asked that very question, we gleefully (yes, gleefully) answered yes.

The day began by going over safety procedures and a rundown of the itinerary. The weather was perfect on Le Circuit Mont-Tremblant. Not only a great course to drive the AMG line-up safely at high speeds, but it also gave the instructors from the AMG Performance Team a chance to teach us some proper driving techniques.

Everyone thinks they know how to drive the best way, and surely we all do. What we learned that day, was that in a day-to-day vehicle, your seat height may be too high (seats should be set at the lowest setting in order to look further out on the road), your mirrors may not be adjusted properly (they should be adjusted so you are not looking at the side of your car, but just beyond that to eliminate blind spots) and you probably aren’t looking far enough ahead at the road (look at the next corner—not the one right in front of you). For a demonstration of these tips, visit winnipegmen.com and click on the Mercedes AMG Tour video.

Everyone wants to drive really fast on a track and know that they are in complete control. That is definitely the case with the complete AMG line-up. Each vehicle—from the C-Class right up to the amazing SLS AMG—gave a great sense of control, safety and comfort at every speed. One thing about Mercedes vehicles is that they are really comfortable to drive and they all have an extra gear when you want that performance. Of course, the AMG line-up gives you all of the extras you could want as well.

The surprise of the day had to be the C63 AMG. Not only did it perform amazingly well, but it comes with all of the luxury and performance offerings at a price that can’t be beat—coming in at $63,900 (Standard C250 starts at $35,900). Almost every driver who got out of the C63 had a huge grin and the same comment: “Man, that car is something.”

The day was amazing, the people were fantastic and the best part was that it really lent a new appreciation for what makes a Mercedes a Mercedes.

Special thanks to Mercedes-Benz Winnipeg for arranging this trip to Mont Tremblant and a great big thank you to the entire team of instructors at the Mercedes-Benz Performance Tour.

C63 Specs:
6.2L V-8 engine with 451 hp.
0-100km/h in only 4.5 seconds
AMG package adds 30hp boost (481 hp),
Carbon Fibre trunk lid spoiler and red brake calipers.

Winnipeg Men publisher Glenn Tinley also built the car online that he wanted to take home, but they wouldn’t let him leave the track with it for some reason—the 2011 SLS AMG.

SLS AMG coupe (2011) Base price: $198,000
Paint AMG Le Mans Red metallic: $2,700
AMG 19”/20” mixed 10-spoke forged wheels: $2,800
Upholstery designo Classic Red/Black Exclusive
Leather upholstery: $850
Optional equipment: $36,300
Total Price: $237,850
Technical data
Doors/seats: 2/2
Transmission: AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed transmission
Net power/total displacement: 563 hp/6208 cc
Cylinders: 8