Emotion Start, or how to make your Mercedes-AMG bring a smile to your face every morning

Tired of strict anti-pollution regulations diminishing the idyllic sound of today’s sports cars? Then suffer no more, because Mercedes has an interesting solution. The star brand’s performance department, AMG, has listened to the pleas of the most skeptical and set out to address their fears and the deafening silence that the coming era of electric vehicles implies. It is called Emotion Start, and it will turn the morning roar of Mercedes-AMG cars into a full soundtrack that will delight petrolheads and irritate some neighbours.

We are already used to many vehicles offering different driving modes that, besides affecting various parameters related to engine response, suspension and steering, can also alter the sound the exhaust system produces. This is the case with the AMG models from Mercedes-Benz, most of which are powered by a colossal twin-turbo V8.

This engine, which has yet to fall victim to downsizing, deserves a roar worthy of its bravado. Thanks to the performance exhaust signed by AMG, every model from the 63 onwards will be backed by a titanic eight-cylinder “V” engine supercharged by two turbos, which at its best produces 639 CV of power.

Over recent years, Mercedes-AMG has introduced various innovations designed to make life on board its performance cars easier. One of these is reflected in the driving modes, with Sport and Sport+ responsible for, among other things, adjusting the exhaust note.

However, Mercedes-AMG cars always start in Comfort mode by default, which means that morning starts lose some of their charm because the exhaust valves stay closed. The Emotion Start system puts an end to this. It is as simple as pressing the Engine Start button while pulling one of the two steering-wheel paddles, which will cause the AMG exhaust to give its all for a few seconds.

https://youtu.be/mG3Uo0a8k5Q

This feature will be available on all 2020 Mercedes-AMG models and will allow owners to start the day with a grin from ear to ear. After several models from the star brand’s performance line have passed through our hands, we can confidently say that Emotion Start is worth it in every respect.