The Mercedes-AMG V8 is expected to hang around for another decade.
In an interview with Road and Track, Mercedes-AMG chairman Philipp Schiemer indicated that the AMG V8 hasn’t yet reached its peak.
“I think for the next ten years we will see the V8s, for sure. We have a lot of customers who love their cars and I still think that we will see those people buying the [V8] cars for a long time,” said Schiemer.
Mercedes-Benz, including the Mercedes-Maybach and Mercedes-AMG brands, has already pledged to go all-electric by 2030 “where market conditions allow”.
Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance
All of its new platforms from 2025 onwards will be EV-only, though models on existing platforms will continue to use internal combustion engines beyond 2025.
Mercedes-AMG Chief Technical officer, Jochen Hermann, highlighted the potential of electrified ICE powertrains, citing the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance that’s set to arrive on Australian soil in the second half of 2022.
“You have this extra power, like low-end torque which is more of an issue for a combustion engine,” said Hermann.
“We get that instant torque, whereas, you know, on a German Autobahn […] this is where the V8 engine kicks in.”
It’s powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with an electric motor on the rear axle. This produces a staggering 620kW of power and 1400Nm of torque.
The 150kW/320Nm electric motor is combined with a two-speed transmission and an electronic limited-slip differential.
The GT 63 S E Performance with this powertrain can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 2.9 seconds and top out at 316km/h.
Hermann noted Mercedes-AMG is quickly realising it can do so much more with this hybrid technology.
“I think it’s the thrill we have this new layout,” said Hermann.
“And the thing is, now having gone through all this we know there’s so much more that we can do with a powertrain layout like this.”
Mercedes-AMG is also looking beyond its V8 and exploring further hybrid four-cylinder models, as well as fully-electric models.
The 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 will feature a re-engineered version of the A45 AMG’s 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an electric motor, while the 2022 Mercedes-AMG EQS 53 features a dual-motor electric powertrain.
Mercedes-AMG EQS 53
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