- Mercedes-Benz has recently developed a new flat-plane crank V8 engine.
- That engine first arrives in the new S-Class before appearing in other models.
- Mercedes-AMG wants to ensure that the new V8 meets the demands of its cars and customers.
Mercedes-Benz recently launched the updated version of its flagship S-Class sedan. That car packs a refreshed 4.0-liter V8 with a flat-plane crank setup, delivering 530 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque in the S580.
A flat-plane crank means less rotational mass and faster speeds, which helps equate to more horsepower. But while the engine may be suitable for Benz duty at first, the AMG side of the family wants to make sure it does before putting it into the pumped-up snout of its vehicles.
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series
Photo by: Mercedes-Benz
This includes two models that are currently missing from the Mercedes-AMG lineup: the C63 sedan and the E63 wagon. according to road and trackAMG engineers are closely following the engine development in the new S-Class.
According to Mercedes board member Mathias Giessen, the first phase of the return of proper AMG V8 engines has begun. “One step at a time,” he says. “First we have to make sure we have a very good and refined V-8, and of course we’re paying attention to market demand now and have some plans for where to use it.”
Those plans will very likely include the return of the aforementioned AMG models. It’s no secret that buyers never liked the four-cylinder C63. And while the current E53 AMG is just fine, it also has some of the worst brakes I’ve felt in any Mercedes product.
Mercedes-AMG buyers are eager for more V8-powered options. And it looks like Mercedes will have such options soon.
motor1 tech:The E63 wagon can’t get here fast enough. Audi is doing a great job developing its RS6, while BMW showed off a high-horsepower wagon can sell Here in the US market. The next-generation E63 wagon should have V8 power, but will also feature a plug-in hybrid setup to meet fuel economy and emissions demands as well as the higher-horsepower requirements of its customer base.
