RE: Mercedes says farewell to another V8...

RE: Mercedes says farewell to another V8...

Wednesday 18th September 2013

Mercedes says farewell to another V8...

... but fear not, there's a replacement coming!



We've not even driven the latest Mercedes S63 AMG yet, but it's already the harbinger of bad news; it will be the last AMG product to use the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8.

Two A45 engines for next V8. 720hp unlikely...
Two A45 engines for next V8. 720hp unlikely...
Whilst it probably won't be remembered quite as fondly as the atmospheric 6,208cc M156 found in cars like the C63, the M157 is a pretty fine engine nonetheless. It proved to BMW that turbocharged V8s could sound like proper V8s, and no doubt it will prove suitably epic with 585hp in the flagship S-Class. But according to Tobias Moers, that is the engine's reliable power limit (664lb ft is probably pushing it a bit too).

Given the engine is Euro 6 compliant and those regs aren't applicable until 2015, it will be around for a little while yet. Currently, AMG is planning a 4.0-litre replacement unit based on throwing together a pair of A45 AMG engines. Don't expect the same specific output (that would make 720hp!) but there will be some fundamental similarities. There's also likely to be some hybrid assistance for bigger AMGs.

Having only been around for a few years, there's not a wealth of used M157-equipped AMGs available. This E63 just sneaks in below £50,000, and this CL63 can reputedly waft along returning 27mpg combined...

Finally, what does this news from AMG mean for Aston? A turbocharged V8 would certainly address any complaints about a torque shortage in the next Vantage...

[Source: carsales.com.au]

Author
Discussion

Luther Blisset

Original Poster:

391 posts

131 months

Wednesday 18th September 2013
quotequote all
Well, that was quick! What was the reason they went for the 5.5 in the first place then?

Prawnboy

1,326 posts

146 months

Wednesday 18th September 2013
quotequote all
mmmmmmmmmm plastics, why wont someone make a good looking engine bay for once!

burwoodman

18,709 posts

245 months

Wednesday 18th September 2013
quotequote all
looks fine to me. Health and safety probably plus deters amateurs wanting to fiddle with various bits. I think the Mercs are a lot better than other marques in regards engine covers

MiseryStreak

2,929 posts

206 months

Wednesday 18th September 2013
quotequote all
It looks like 4.0 litre FI V8s are going to be powering everything out there. From BMWs, Audis and Mercs to Bentleys and Aston Martins. Oh well, better than batteries I suppose.

Turbodiesel1690

1,957 posts

169 months

Wednesday 18th September 2013
quotequote all
Prawnboy said:
mmmmmmmmmm plastics, why wont someone make a good looking engine bay for once!
Because race car

burwoodman

18,709 posts

245 months

Wednesday 18th September 2013
quotequote all
looks fine to me. Health and safety probably plus deters amateurs wanting to fiddle with various bits. I think the Mercs are a lot better than other marques in regards engine covers

mwstewart

7,554 posts

187 months

Wednesday 18th September 2013
quotequote all
Prawnboy said:
mmmmmmmmmm plastics, why wont someone make a good looking engine bay for once!
Appreciate that too, I love to see the business end, but my do those covers and seals keep engines and components in fine condition.

02joe

162 posts

200 months

Wednesday 18th September 2013
quotequote all
Shame as it is a rather good block!

I suspect this will mean the end of the 4.4 Bi-Turbo V8 found in recent 500's too as this AMG block starts life as one of those.

Ali_T

3,379 posts

256 months

Wednesday 18th September 2013
quotequote all
Can they make the 4.0 fit in the A class......?!!!

P4ROT

1,219 posts

192 months

Wednesday 18th September 2013
quotequote all
Ali_T said:
Can they make the 4.0 fit in the A class......?!!!
lol

vescaegg

25,489 posts

166 months

Thursday 19th September 2013
quotequote all
Didn't they only recently ditch the 6.2 for the 5.5 anyway? Surely that was one big expensive waste of time then....

matsoc

853 posts

131 months

Thursday 19th September 2013
quotequote all
Despite the smaller displacement the latest VW 4.0 V8 turbocharged engine found in the RS6, Bentley, S8 has proven strong and powerful as the Mercedes unit, it aged quickly...

Ruaraidh_Gamma

69 posts

218 months

Thursday 19th September 2013
quotequote all
Shame. Still, I love my M156!!

To the Health and Safety lot above: Engine shields are there for NOISE reduction, nothing to do with Health and Safety. They also have the rather comical name in some Companies of "Engine Beautification Covers". I kid you not....

bobberz

1,832 posts

198 months

Friday 20th September 2013
quotequote all
Hybrid AMGs? Say it ain't so!!!