It seems like only yesterday that AMG introduced the twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8 engine that currently powers all of its larger models. Actually, it was 2011, which means - as the modern car industry seems to measure powerplant programmes in dog years - we probably shouldn't be surprised it's set to be phased out.
E63S was one of the best applications
According to Autocar, AMG is planning to replace the twin turbocharged 5.5-litre M157 V8 with the smaller and cleaner
4.0-litre M178 V8
that we've already seen in the
Mercedes-AMG GT
and which will also be used in the forthcoming C63. The smaller engine is more economical and better on CO2; the move to put it into bigger models also gives tacit acknowledgement that it can be boosted to deliver more than the 503hp it produces in the GT S.
A couple more derivatives of existing models will get the 5.5-litre engine - it will be going into the GLE Coupe and the forthcoming S-Class cabrio - and then it will be progressively replaced by the smaller motor as new models arrive; possibly reaching some existing ones during mid-life refreshes.
And one more look for old time's sake
At risk of turning this into a geekfest about Mercedes engine codes, it's fair to say that the M157 won't be missed as much as the M156 - the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 that powered the previous generation C63 (and which in reworked M159 guise drove the SLS). Yet the twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre engine has propelled some of our favourite fast Mercs of the last few years as well, and it's never been short on character - the current E63 S wagon stands out as a particularly good application. We'll miss it.