In a world where change is the only constant, it’s always nice to hear an automaker like Mercedes Benz intending to preserve the V8 as a foundation for its vehicles as it looks towards the future.
Its V8-powered models, from the Mercedes-AMG C 63 right up to its flagship AMG GT coupe have all been true bastions of this engine layout, and it must be comforting that Mercedes-Benz’s R&D chief, Professor Dr Thomas Weber, has come out with a strong endorsement for this particular philosophy.
“We are completely convinced we will stay with V8s, forever maybe,” he told Drive AU. To all AMG fans and petrol heads alike, this is definitely good news. Nonetheless, I’m sure there are many of you out there, including yours truly, who would have wished for Mercedes-Benz to confirm such news for the V12s as well.
Alas, we live in a world where emission regulations are getting more stringent and all this talk about autonomous cars does bring a certain sense of doom and gloom to what many see as the eventual death of proper motoring experiences that are all about fun and reckless abandon.
Dr Weber does state that impending 2020 emission regulations will force car makers to come up with novel techniques to achieve tailpipe CO2 outputs of just 95g/km.
He believes that the company’s V8s will continue to reduce in terms of displacement, citing the latest AMG twin-turbo 4.0 litre V8 that took over the mantle from the 5.5 litre bi-turbo, itself smaller than AMG’s iconic 6.2 litre naturally-aspirated V8.
Dr Weber does point out that while the V8s will survive into the future, it will have to evolve radically with elements such as cylinder deactivation, electric harvesting like in F1 cars and ultimately, electrification.
“The make-up [of our V8s] may be different in the future. How small can you go? I’m not sure just at the moment, but with the strategy we have now, the next question is electrification in terms of performance. That is for sure in the future,” he said.
He believes the power units in F1 could be the foundation of the future for Mercedes-Benz, and does concede quite forlornly that the “age of the naturally-aspirated engine is definitely over and done with.”
So, in a nutshell, there has never been a better time to buy a Mercedes-Benz with a traditional naturally-aspirated V8 before they become expensive display units in a museum.
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Meanwhile, Volvo testing 450hp triplecharged 2.0L 4-cylinders.
Volvo took control of their Polestar division too.
It’ll be interesting to see if Volvo can make AMG eat their words. Heja Sverige!
We are on the verge on V8/v10/v12 extinction.
Formula 1 became boring because of the engine sound not that exhilarating as before.
V8 engine will be a collectible and Rare stuff with best sounding car. stay on muscle fellow Germans.
or… in future, car only car..
only car enthusiast understand this.
Do you think power/fc is all that matter most?
Volvo engine will bocor, what else?
Common issues on Volvo = gearbox.
When the petrol reach RM3 per litre. I will have a lot V8 traded in.
v8 has more rumble than any inlined engine in the market, although not as heart-stopping or orgasmic as a v12.
v8 will do anything a v12 does with less size, friction, fuel, cost and complexity.
v8 is smooth enough to be felt, although its power delivery is not as smooth and balanced as a v12.
coupled with turbo, DI and advancement of other areas of engineering, a v8 is capable of being highly efficient, significantly powerful and perhaps greener than a v12.
the bottom line is, v8s are here to stay.
Merc V8 can’t beat Audi V6, so Merc you have no other choice than ‘stay with V8’.
And inline6 will beat Audi V6
I’ll laugh at Audi’s V6… what a piece of crap…