MERCEDES-BENZ AMG DETAILS ALL-NEW 5.5 TWIN TURBO V8

As previously revealed by IN4RIDE, Mercedes-Benz is getting rid of its 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 in favour of a new 5.5-litre twin turbo engine. It will first appear in the S 63 AMG but will obviously be used for other models like the facelift E 63 AMG (2012), the upcoming CLS AMG and the S-Class Coupe AMG. Just off the blocks, I’m not sure if it really is a twin turbo (as in the turbos are exactly the same size) or if it is a biturbo, meaning one small and one bigger turbine. Nevertheless it’s more powerful than the engine it replaces.

The engine, codenamed M 157, displaces 5461cc, weighs 204kg when dry and is built according to AMG’s "one man, one engine" philosophy. That means one engineer puts it all together and tops it off with his signature.

Maximum power is 400kW developed at 5500rpm while peak torque is rated at 800Nm between 2000rpm and 4500rpm. An AMG Performance Package (please bring it home Mercedes-Benz SA!) will boost power to 420kW at 5500rpm and torque shoots to a stupendous 900Nm between 2500rpm and 3750rpm. Mated to it is a 7-speed MCT gearbox.

The S 63 AMG is claimed to sprint from 0 – 100km/h in 4.5 seconds without the Performance Package and 4.4 seconds with it. Average fuel consumption is said to be 10.5 litres per 100km but I can personally assure you you won’t achieve this in real-world driving. I reckon you’d be more assured of something close to 20.5L/100km.

Now we wait for details on the smaller twin-turbo AMG engine which according to our sources, displaces 4.0-litres and is also a V8. Expect about 350kW from it and it will be put into cars like the C AMG and the C Coupe AMG.