The Mercedes S63 AMG is the firts to get the new AMG 5.5 litre V8 Bi-Turbo
Mercedes is to replace the current 6.2 litre AMG engine with an all new 5.5 litre V8 Bi-Turbo which offers more power and 25% better economy. It will launch in the 2010/2011 S63.
Mercedes’ top end AMG engine has changed over the last few years. It’s gone from a 5.5 litre supercharged lump to the now ubiquitous 6.2 litre normally aspirated engine, which anomalously gets badged ’63’ throughout the cars that sit at the top of each of Mercedes big-engined ranges.
But now we go back to the future with the return of a 5.5 litre V8 – admittedly a completely new engine (M571) – which this time round sports a pair of turbochargers and delivers 554 hp and 590lbs/ft of torque. Figures substantially better than the old 6.2 litre engine which managed 525hp and 464lbs/ft. First outing for the new engine will be in the 2010/2011 Mercedes S63 AMG.
Remarkably – despite being a chunk more powerful than the engine it replaces – the new engine is actually far more economical. Which is of course why Mercedes are going this route. Improvements of 25% are being claimed, which if they translate in to reality in the real world will be very impressive.
The improved economy is due to a number of factors, including cylinder deactivation, stop-start, kinetic energy recovery and some clever programming of the SpeedShift MCT ‘box to deliver an ‘Eco’ programme for frugal driving. Although we’re not sure quite what the point is of having an S63 and driving in Eco mode. Also on offer will be a performance pack which adds an extra 25 or so horses and takes off the speed limiter, just in case the standard setup isn’t enough.
Despite the change of engine capacity it would seem that the S63 AMG will keep the same name, as will other ’63’ Mercedes which will get the new 5.5 litre over the next year or so. But then the name didn’t match the engine size anyway.
The Mercedes S63 AMG with the new 5.5 litre Bi-Turbo will be unveiled in Geneva tomorrow.
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