AMG's future includes hybrids, twin-turbo'd V8
As we've heard before, the next generation of AMG-massaged Mercs will have to balance high output with low emissions. That means more turbos, less displacement and (gasp) hybrids.
The big and bad 6.2-liter V8 won't be around much longer. Instead, AMG is turning its focus towards a new, twin-turbo 5.0-liter V8 that will produce 570 hp and 665 lb.-ft. of torque, with output possibly reaching 700 hp and 885 lb.-ft. to replace the outgoing 612-hp V12 mill.
Forced induction is only part of the equation, as AMG is looking to a new hybrid-equipped V8, dubbed BluePower, that will either come with the X-Trac Flybrid system or a 100-hp electric motor integrated into the transmission. There's also talk that AMG will be releasing its own plug-in hybrid by 2012 and that diesels will continue to become an important part of the brand.
The other issue with which AMG has to contend is Mercedes' own turbocharged offerings. Future M-Bs will be sporting turbo'd V8s displacing 4.0-, 4.6- and 5.5-liters, with outputs ranging from 355 to 544 hp.
And what of the upcoming AMG supercar? Car says that the gullwing super coupe, codenamed C197, will debut in March of 2010 and be powered by the same 6.2-liter V8 (likely the last application of that engine) while sending all that energy through an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
[Source: Car]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
C.W. 2:43PM (4/25/2008)
Hm...I guess Paris Hilton jumped the gun in getting that Yukon Hybrid.
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j 3:02PM (4/25/2008)
Whatever happened to lightweight cars?
What if they crammed a less thirsty twin turbo V6 into a compact car? Maybe an affordable, freaking fast car that gets >30mpg? Oh no, we can't have that :P
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Kevin 3:36PM (4/25/2008)
I think you're looking to the wrong company for that kind of car... Don't get me wrong, I grew up with Mercedes-with some exceptions they're all my family has owned for almost 20 years-and am quite fond of them, but... They don't generally do lightweight cars, particularly high performance, inexpensive ones.
Could they? Yeah. But it's not the business model they've chosen to operate on. It sounds like what you want is the Mustang with that twin turbo V6 Ford is developing or something.
Franz 3:29PM (4/25/2008)
Don't care too much how the power is made, as long as there's a lot of it, and it's there when I want it. 570-700+hp and 665-885lb ft? Hell yeah.
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MikeW 4:51PM (4/25/2008)
Come on, scale the 6.2 V8 up to a V10 to replace the 3 valve head V12.
A 650+hp V10 S-Class would be fun.
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