With stricter emissions and fuel economy standards being enacted worldwide, it doesn’t appear that any brand will be safe from downsizing. That includes performance divisions, such as Mercedes-Benz ’ AMG. But through continual development, AMG engineers are working hard to ensure their cars will be both mean and green.
As we’ve reported before, AMG is planning to launch hybrid and possibly even diesel-powered models. But before the brand moves onto those technologies, Car says it will be cleaning up its current engine lineup. The first to go will be the brand’s 6.2L V8. To replace that engine, AMG is working on a new twin-turbo 5.0L V8. In base guise, that mill will make 570 horsepower and 665 lb-ft of torque. There is talk of even a higher output version of the engine replacing the company’s 612 horsepower V12, which would be rated at 700 horsepower and 885 lb-ft of torque.
In addition, AMG has plans to add a hybrid system to the new V8 — dubbed BluePower. However, it remains unclear if AMG will use the Flybrid system by X-Trac — which uses a flywheel to produce energy — or a more conventional setup that uses a separate 100 horsepower electric motor. Moreover, AMG is planning to have its first plug-in hybrid to market by 2012.
But according to Car, AMG won’t be the only brand touting turbocharged V8s. Mercedes is also developing its own turbocharged V8, including a 355 horsepower 4.0L, a 435 horsepower 4.6L and a 544 horsepower 5.5L.
But before we get to these new engines, we’ll see at least one more AMG supercar sporting the “old tech.” Car says the new Gullwing — which we have referred to as the SLC but is actually being developed under the codename C197 — will use the brand’s 6.2L V8 and will send its power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed gearbox.
As for diesels, Car says that AMG doesn’t have any such programs in place, but the brand is keeping an open mind.
