Mercedes-AMG Returns as Title Sponsor of Miami Beach Polo World Cup

MONTVALE, N.J., March 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz USA announces that its Mercedes-AMG performance brand is returning for a second season as title sponsor of the Miami Beach Polo World Cup from April 21st to April 24th, 2011, and plans to showcase the all-new 2012 CLS63 AMG to Southern Florida car enthusiasts.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110317/NY67152)

The AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup, the official branded event property, is the world's largest polo tournament to take place on a beach and this year's event benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami and the National Foundation for Missing and Exploited Children.  In its seventh consecutive season, the separate men's and women's polo events take place on Miami Beach between 20th and 22nd streets behind The Setai Hotel.

In addition to supporting the AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup, Mercedes-AMG is the proud sponsor of the AMG men's and women's polo teams that feature notable and top players from around the world including John Walsh, the well-known presenter of America's Most Wanted and spokesman for the National Foundation for Missing and Exploited Children, as well as number one female player, Sunny Hale.  

Alongside the well-trained thoroughbred horses at the AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup, Mercedes-AMG is displaying a stable of its own high performance vehicles including the SLS AMG supersports car and the all-new 2012 CLS63 AMG equipped with the newly developed AMG V8 biturbo engine, featuring a peak output of up to 550 hp and 590 lb-ft. of torque.  Guests can see this newest Mercedes-AMG 4-door coupe in-person at the tournament before it reaches Mercedes-Benz dealerships in early June.

"The game of Polo shares a natural affinity with AMG, both rich in heritage and prestige, requiring skill, power and performance to succeed," said Greg Clark, Manager Exclusive Vehicles, Mercedes-Benz USA.  "The AMG brand has been deeply involved with polo tournaments from around the world and we are thrilled to continue this tradition in the U.S. with the title sponsorship of the AMG Miami Beach Polo World Cup."

Just as the polo pony is carefully selected and trained for quick bursts of speed, stamina, agility and maneuverability, AMG engines are built on the overall principle of "one man, one engine," to deliver the epitome of peak performance and craftsmanship.  Every single AMG engine is handcrafted from start to finish by a single Master Engine Builder at Mercedes-AMG GmbH in Affalterbach, Germany.

Attendees who wish to experience the power and performance for themselves can test drive AMG vehicles at the AMG Driving Academy where top professional instructors teach the fundamentals of performance driving at one of three world-class locations. Each program progresses to a set of high-speed exercises that puts each participant through their paces on the entirety of each of these racetracks.  A description of the 2011 AMG Academy program including locations, levels and preliminary schedules can be found at www.amgacademy.com.

About Mercedes-AMG

Mercedes-AMG is the high-performance subsidiary of the Mercedes-Benz Car Group and is headquartered in Affalterbach, Germany. AMG engineers lend the benefit of more than 40 years racing experience to the development of new Mercedes-AMG vehicles.

Transmissions, brakes, aerodynamics, exhaust systems and, most importantly, the hand-crafted engine built and signed by one of only fifty AMG Master Mechanics reflect AMG's holistic approach to performance.

By blending AMG genes with Mercedes DNA, AMG has delivered thrilling performance and exclusive refinement to discerning customers since the brand's introduction to the U.S. in 1995. Since then, U.S. sales of AMG vehicles have grown to account for as much as 40% of worldwide Mercedes-AMG sales.

While all Mercedes-Benz authorized dealers offer AMG products, 26 dealerships across the U.S. have attained 'AMG Performance Center' status where more personalized expert service for these high-performance vehicles is offered. www.mercedes-amg.com  

ABOUT Mercedes-Benz USA

Mercedes-Benz USA, headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz and Maybach products in the United States. In 2007, Mercedes-Benz USA became the title sponsor of IMG's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York and Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami.  Mercedes-Benz is also the title sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin. For more than 40 years, MBUSA has taken pride in its commitment to the customer by providing superior quality luxury vehicles coupled with outstanding customer support. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com and www.maybachusa.com.

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SOURCE Mercedes-Benz USA