AMG Winter Experience, 2021 season: fascinating driving experiences on a Swedish frozen lake: Variety, performance and emotion on the winter driver training courses of the AMG Driving Academy

Comunicato Stampa disponibile solo in lingua originale. 

• Under the supervision of experienced instructors and AMG brand ambassadors from the world of motorsport, the #amgwinterexperience offers participants an opportunity to improve their driving skills on vast and optimally prepared terrain in Swedish Lapland
• The customised configuration of the training courses is possible thanks to a wide array of optional packages 

From January 2021 onwards, the #amgdrivingacademy will be welcoming customers to the Swedish town of Arjeplog as part of the renamed #amgwinterexperience. Participants will experience the thrill of AMG through exclusive use of a frozen lake measuring more than 337,000 m² – with numerous expansive and perfectly prepared sections and handling tracks. In the process, they will learn how to control their vehicle in extreme situations in a safe environment and improve their driving skills without, of course, compromising on driving fun. Professional instructors will be on hand during the entire #event, who – due to their many years of experience in various motorsport classes (such as GT motorsport, Formula racing and rallies) – can give specialised tips and identify the potential areas for improvement in the individual driving skills of the participants. 

At selected training sessions, the well-known racing drivers and AMG brand ambassadors Maro Engel, Bernd Schneider, Karl Wendlinger and Bernd Mayländer, among others, will provide their professional expertise regarding all questions relating to proper vehicle handling. Maro Engel was runner-up in the British Formula 3 Championship in 2007, he competed in the DTM and, with his numerous victories, including the GT World Cup in Macau and the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, is one of the world’s best GT3 drivers. With his fivefold title win, Bernd Schneider is the record holder in the DTM. In 2013, he won both the Dubai 24 Hours and the Nürburgring 24 Hours in an SLS AMG GT3. Karl Wendlinger was active in Formula 1^® from 1991 to 1995 and was a driver in the DTM from 2002 to 2003. Since 2012, he has been the brand ambassador for Mercedes-AMG in Austria. Bernd Mayländer has been the official driver of the Formula 1^® safety car since 2001. 

The #amgwinterexperience vehicle fleet 

The vehicle fleet used for the #amgwinterexperience comprises the following models: 

• Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ (fuel consumption combined: 8.4–8.3 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 192–190 g/km)[1]
• Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupé (fuel consumption combined: 10.8 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 246 g/km) 1
• Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S 4MATIC+ (fuel consumption combined: 8.3–8.1 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 190–187 g/km)1
• Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ 4-Door Coupé (fuel consumption combined: 12.5 l/100 km; CO₂ emissions combined: 285 g/km)1 

Thanks to a four-cylinder turbocharged engine, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S 4MATIC+, like the A 45, delivers 310 kW (421 h.p.) and 500 Nm – and therefore absolute top performance for compact sports cars. Boundless performance and maximum driving pleasure are guaranteed, making both compact models the ideal addition to the sporty vehicle range for the #amgwinterexperience. The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ 4-Door Coupé represents the pinnacle of the four-door model range. The fully variable 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive ensures optimum traction, especially when it comes to sporty driving. This four-door coupé can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds, with exceptionally dynamic driving manoeuvres made possible by the additional RACE driving program (including drift mode). As such, participants can look forward to unparalleled driving fun. Depending on the #event format and any optional packages booked, the vehicles are driven in either single or double occupancy.  

The right program for drivers of all levels 

The #amgwinterexperience has events for all levels of experience and proficiency – from beginners and advanced drivers through to seasoned experts; in other words, the #amgwinterexperience has the right program for all AMG fans. The ‘Basic’ training level is ideal for beginners. In the individual formats, such as the ‘Discover’ #event format, the focus is on safe driving and getting to know the Mercedes-AMG vehicles. The ‘Advanced’ training level builds on existing knowledge. Here, the basics of driving physics already acquired can not only be expanded on, but the handling of powerful vehicles in challenging situations and the use of Mercedes-AMG driver assistance and performance systems can be intensified, too. At the extra-long ‘Advanced Week’, for example, participants can hone their driving skills over a five-day period. Sufficient prior experience is required for the ‘Pro’ training level, i.e. participants will already have completed an AMG Advanced-Training or similar training program. At the ‘Pro Week’ #event format, for instance, personal driving skills can be improved in a targeted fashion thanks to increased individual support in small groups. The ‘Masters’ training level is ideal for highly experienced drivers. In intensive discussions with experienced racing drivers and engineers, both at and away from the training site, they will expand their knowledge and – in the ‘Pro Plus’ format – take driving to the absolute limit. 

Exciting contests such as the ‘drift competition’ are on the agenda as an extra special highlight at selected events. Here, the participants can show off their mastery of drifts on the ice track. At the ‘Race of Champs’ competition, the best drivers from various preliminary rounds go head to head in a battle for first place. In certain training formats, the experience is rounded off by a spectacular ride in the AMG Ice Taxi. With maximum traction and power, the AMG Ice Taxi – fitted with special spiked tyres – shows just what is possible in challenging conditions. 

Exclusive highlights away from the training site 

Our comfortable accommodation options – Hotel Silverhatten**** and the AMG Lodge**** (which is exclusively available for #amgwinterexperience participants) – ensure rest and relaxation away from the driving experiences. Located just 18 km away from the training site, Hotel Silverhatten boasts a majestic view of the wintry landscape of northern Sweden and offers numerous amenities such as a restaurant, a hotel bar, a sauna, a whirlpool, a relaxation area and a gym. The AMG Lodge**** comes with 29 exclusive single and double rooms and affords a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains and lakes. Participants of the #amgwinterexperience enjoy free access to all the amenities available at Hotel Silverhatten and can savour exquisite culinary delights in the form of both Swedish creations and international specialities during the entire #event. 

These training events are organised by tour operator AMG Experiences. All #amgwinterexperience training formats are now available to book via the company’s website (www.amg-experiences.com) or via the service hotline on +49 (0)711 652 000 222. 

About the AMG Driving Academy 

Alongside the #amgwinterexperience, the #amgdrivingacademy also offers further exclusive driving events and training courses in Germany and Europe between spring and autumn next year. On the AMG Emotion-Tours, the sensational AMG driving experience is brought to life on a selection of spectacular routes. The participants stay in exclusive hotels and enjoy the ultimate in culinary excellence. At the AMG Racetrack-Trainings, participants improve their driving ability on the racetrack in modular events that are supervised by professional motorsport instructors. 

Not only in Germany, but also for example in Australia, China or Japan, Russia or the USA – in a total of 15 markets – the #amgdrivingacademy has been thrilling its customers with exclusive performance driving events since 2007. 

You can obtain further information about the program of the #amgdrivingacademy by contacting the Service Centre of the external and independent tour operator AMG Experiences GmbH at info@amg-experiences.com.

[1] The stated figures are the measured "NEDC CO₂ figures" in accordance with Art. 2 No. 1 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1153. The fuel consumption figures were calculated based on these figures. A higher figure may apply as the basis for calculating the motor vehicle tax. Further information on the vehicles on offer, including the WLTP values, can be found for each country at www.mercedes-benz.com