Great news that the 4-matic models are no longer stuck with the old 5 speed. Now if the new S 600 and S65 could join the ranks of 7-speeders...

Perhaps purists would disagree with the S600 and S65 having 4-matic available, however, they are the models that would need it most. At least the 600 could take the image "hit" better, since it is a "standard" model (not an AMG).

A bona fide performance awd version could be developed by AMG exclusively for handling, however, to overcome the traction problems that its most powerful models have. This system would be completely of a different personality from 4-matic (which is mainly for snow-ridden regions, and not at all in the likeness of Audi's Quatro system). THe AMG boss has hinted that if demand asked for it, they would be ready to accomodate.