Mercedes-Benz was so proud of its 5,5-litre V8 AMG powerplant that it has done duty in virtually all of Affalterbach’s models. But the current V8 will soon be able to take a breather as the company’s AMG sports division has released details of a new 375 kW naturally-aspirated 6,3-litre V8.
Mercedes-Benz was so proud of its 5,5-litre V8 AMG powerplant that it has done duty in virtually all of Affalterbach’s models. But the current V8 will soon be able to take a breather as the company’s AMG sports division has released details of a new 375 kW naturally-aspirated 6,3-litre V8.
Developed entirely by AMG, the engine displaces 6 208 cm3 and produces maximum output of 375 kW at 6 800 r/min and peak torque of 630 N.m at 5 200 r/min, with 500 N.m available from 2 000 r/min.
The engine combines high-revving characteristics with a large displacement engine to produce what Mercedes calls the “most powerful naturally aspirated V8 production engine in the world”. Thanks to its large displacement, the new engine produces about 20 per cent more torque compared with similar engines in its class.
Using technology derived from its involvement in motorsport, this engine features a patented variable intake manifold with two throttle flaps and vertical intake and exhaust ducts to ensure optimal cylinder charging. The 32 valves in the cylinder heads are operated by bucket tappets, whose space-saving style allows for a stiff valve train and, as a result, higher engine speeds. The crankcase design follows a bedplate construction using the closed-deck principle that is well used in motor sport sectors. Variable camshaft adjustment and cylinder walls with a new LDS coating are further hallmarks of Affalterbach’s new V8 powerplant.
In design terms, the high-revving V8 is the first by AMG to be independently developed without any sharing of components with other Mercedes-Benz eight cylinders. The new unit differs from earlier V8s in that the crankcase, the new intake and exhaust manifolds, the distance between its cylinders, and the valve train are all new developments for the Mercedes-AMG division.
Also, as is the case with all AMG-produced engines, the 6,3-litre V8 is assembled using the “one man, one engine” philosophy whereby a single technician assembles the engine by hand before signing it himself.
The engine is expected to appear in the forthcoming ML63 AMG, the SL63 AMG, CL63 AMG and the CLS 630, it has been reported.