Autoblog

Is BMW bound to bolt a V6 under the hood of the next M3?

Jeff Glucker — Fri, 20 May 2011 13:01:00 EST

BMW M3 Competition Package - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you're an unapologetic BMW fanboy, the next few words might sting. BMW may be considering a V6 for the next generation BMW M3. No, we didn't mean to type I6 - we're talking about three on one side and three on the other.

According to M3post.com, BMW is likely to go in one of four directions. First up is the suggestion that BMW will take the M3's current S65 V8 and add a pair of turbochargers to it. Now, we're all in favor of adding forced-induction to this engine but this would have the M3 treading heavily on F10 M5 ground.

Another rumor pegs BMW as stuffing either a modified (read: boosted) version of the N54 turbocharged inline-six or a tweaked (read: detuned) version of the F10 M5's twin-turbo V8 S63 motor. The most interesting rumor, however, is that BMW may look into a turbocharged V6 engine. Is BMW HQ ready to hurt the fanboy feelings of folks in love with straight-six engines? If it means a better M3, then anything is possible.

Is BMW bound to bolt a V6 under the hood of the next M3? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 May 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz prices new biturbo V8 models

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ready to experience the thrill of a twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 that produces 536 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque? Unfortunately, that kind of excitement doesn't come cheap. Mercedes-Benz has announced pricing for its upcoming 2011 CL63 AMG coupe and S63 AMG sedan. The two-door starts at $151,125 and the four-door will set you back at least $138,875. Both are available with the optional AMG Performance Package, which ups the power output to 563 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. A little lower on the power pole sits the restyled 2011 CL550 4MATIC, which starts at $114,025, and is motivated by a 4.6-liter V8 which produces 429 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

The 4.6-liter unit is 20 percent smaller, in terms of displacement, than the engine it replaces, yet produces 12 percent more horsepower, 32 percent more torque and improves fuel economy by 10 percent. The AMG mill also sees considerable gains in power, and thanks to direct-injection and the use of start/stop technology it sees a 20 percent rise in fuel economy.

Gallery: Paris 2010: 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz prices new biturbo V8 models

Mercedes-Benz prices new biturbo V8 models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz unveils 2011 S63 AMG with twin-turbo 5.5L V8 [w/video]

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

Engine downsizing has now come to the almost top-of-the-line Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG with the adoption of AMG's new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8. The new direct-injected V8 bumps output up from a mere 518 horsepower to 571 horsepower along with generating 663 pound-feet of torque between 2,250 and 3,750 rpm. That's sufficient to propel this behemoth to 62 mph in just 4.5 seconds in normal trim or 4.4 seconds if you opt for the AMG sports package.

The 2011 S63 also swaps out its previous torque converter automatic transmission for the multi-clutch unit from the SL63, a move which should lend it a more sporting feel. Just as other automakers get both performance and efficiency benefits from boosted direct-injected engines, the S63's combine fuel economy numbers have jumped from 16.3 miles per gallon (U.S.) to 22.4 mpg on the EU test cycle. The EPA numbers aren't yet available, but we would expect a similar real-world increase from the 2010 model's 14 mpg, though perhaps a bit smaller since the EPA's testing methodology won't show any benefits from the S63's new automatic start-stop feature. Official press release and driving footage video after the jump, spanking new high-res gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz unveils 2011 S63 AMG with twin-turbo 5.5L V8 [w/video]

Mercedes-Benz unveils 2011 S63 AMG with twin-turbo 5.5L V8 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 gets smaller but more powerful 5.5-liter biturbo V8

Chris Paukert — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 showcar - Click above for image gallery

We're here in Affalterbach, Germany this morning for a Mercedes-Benz AMG tech day ahead of the Geneva Motor Show, and while we have yet to get a tour of the facilities, we already have some news - the 2011 S63 AMG will receive the company's all-new 5.5-liter bi-turbo V8 engine, as well as the SpeedShift MCT seven-speed gearbox already on offer in the E63 and SL63.

Even though it's down on displacement compared to the outgoing 6.2-liter engine, the M 157 generates more power (544 horsepower in 'standard' mode, 571 with the optional performance package) and more torque (586 pound-feet or 660 lb-ft. with the optional performance pack). And despite the change in engine size, the big sedan's S63 moniker will remain.

MB chairman of the board Volker Mornhinweg has also confirmed to Autoblog that the U.S. market will indeed receive start-stop technology despite the fact that its efficiency gains aren't really recognized by the EPA's fuel economy testing methodology. Even so, the user-defeatable fuel-saving measure ought to pay dividends in city traffic, which is important because cities like Los Angeles and New York are prominent AMG markets.

Despite offering an embarrassment of performance, the S63 will also cut fuel consumption by an astonishing 25 percent, thanks in part to clever programming of its SpeedShift gearbox and a driver-selectable 'Controlled Efficiency' program, an eco-mode that, among other things, instructs the transmission to always start in second gear, shift up as quickly as possible, and remain in higher gears whenever possible. In addition, the Intelligent Generator Management System employed on the E63 is also used to funnel kinetic energy back into the battery, and there is a new generation of cylinder deactivation technology at work as well. All-in, the still-massive motor will turn in an impressive 23.5 miles-per U.S. gallon on the EU cycle and Morninweg pledges that the car will skirt U.S. gas guzzler taxes.

The 'standard' S63 will run to a governed 155 mile-per-hour top end, while the performance package model has been let out to 186 mph. The new car is slated to go on sale in the second half of the year, and the 5.5-liter engine is expected to supplant the 6.2-liter in other AMG offerings over the next several years. We'll see the new engine tomorrow in person at the Geneva Motor Show, where it will reside in the engine bay of a special S63 showcar. The showcar (above) pays tribute to an early AMG-powered 300 SEL that won its class and finished second overall at the 1971 24-hour race in Spa-Francorchamps.

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 showcar

Gallery: 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 Showcar Live

Continue reading 2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 gets smaller but more powerful 5.5-liter biturbo V8

2011 Mercedes-Benz S63 gets smaller but more powerful 5.5-liter biturbo V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Refreshed Mercedes-Benz S63, S65 leaked in advance of Shanghai show

Chris Paukert — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Mercedes-Benz, Misc. Auto Shows

2010 Mercedes-Benz S63 and S65 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes-Benz had planned to unveil the 2010 model year S63 and S65 AMG before April's end at the Shanghai Motor Show, but the high-performance S-class models have unwittingly been given an early internet unveiling by the company's own German market online configuration utility.

The refreshed limos will continue to get their weapons-grade thrust through big engines (the S63 has a 6.2-liter V8 giving 518 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, while the bonkers S65 gets the twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 engine good for 604 hp and an absurd 738 pound-feet of torque), but the AMG models will finally get more visually distinct, thanks to new LED light strips, a more aggressive front fascia with an enlarged air gulper, bespoke grilles (the S63's fixture has five horizontal bars, and the S65, shown above, wears three double-bars). The S63 and its pricier S65 brother will be further differentiated by unique wheels, badging, and bespoke exhaust treatments.

The blokes at Car and Driver (who spotted the MB consumer website gaffe) say that America will probably continue to only get long-wheelbase models of these two, and prices are expected to be similar to that of the 2009 models, which retail for $131,350 and $198,950, respectively.

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz S63/S65 leaked images

[Source: Car and Driver via WorldCarFans]

Refreshed Mercedes-Benz S63, S65 leaked in advance of Shanghai show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

Randall Halcomb — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz

AMG presented the results of its latest Mercedes-Benz performance manipulation with the S 63 AMG at the 2006 Paris Motor show this week. The eight-cylinder S 63 is blessed with AMG's new 6.3-liter, 525-hp powerplant, which boasts the highest specific output and torque of any series-produced naturally aspirated eight cylinder in the world. The 465 ft-lb of twist from AMG's monster V8 turns the S-class into a weapon of mass rubber destruction with the ability to sprint from 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. Other changes include special tuning for the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed transmission, AMG body styling, AMG alloy wheels, AMG sport suspension, and an exclusive AMG interior. The autobahn-burning S 63 AMG is also offered in both standard and extended wheelbases, just in case you need to haul a couple of your close NBA player friends around at extra-legal speeds.

You can check out more of the photos from Mercedes as well as read the details of the techo-wizardry that Mercedes-Benz and AMG have dropped into the S 63 after the jump. You can also check out that other AMG-ified car, the CL63, right here.

Continue reading Paris Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG

Paris Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Sep 2006 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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