'This version of our new engine is just the start,' promises Mornhinweg. 'We have designed it with so much potential.'

The development to which Mornhinweg alludes is a 600-650bhp twin-turbo version which could be with us by 2008, fitted to the next-generation CL first, with other models to follow.

Don't be too surprised if the biturbo V8 also finds its way into the back of a Pagani either, as Mornhinweg is a big fan of the independent supercar company: 'Horacio Pagani is a great man, and while the Zonda isn't a big part of our business, I think it's very important for our engineers to be involved in such a special project.'

On more mainstream matters Mornhinweg is equally forthcoming: 'Our future product strategy is based on four key elements: performance, handling, exterior styling and interior styling. Making our cars go quicker is a natural aim, but we also want the dynamics to have a sportier edge, to be more rewarding for the expert driver.

'We also feel that we should distinguish the full AMG models further from the standard production cars; we want to make our cars visually bolder and more aggressive. We want them to be unique, not something that can be replicated on standard models, so the changes will be in sheet metal.'

One final nugget from Mornhinweg underlines AMG's commitment to building hardcore drivers' cars: 'We're also considering even more extreme AMG models. We don't have a name yet, but if I say "Club Sport" you get the picture. It started recently, when we built 35 special SLK 55s for a gentleman in the Middle East who wanted them for track work and a possible race series.

'We know from customer feedback that there's a demand for us to go a little further, and our work on these SLKs convinced us that developing Club Sport-style versions of some AMG models was both achievable and worthwhile.'