20-02-2025
Mercedes Says V-12s and AMG V-8s Aren't Going Anywhere
Mercedes-Benz and its AMG performance wing have been on a mission lately: to make more power with less displacement. It's not that the Stuttgart-based automaker is foregoing six- and eight-cylinder powerplants completely, but there has been a steady shift towards high-power, turbocharged and electrified inline-four engines in both pedestrian and performance models alike. Just look at the C 63 S AMG' s 671 hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder heart for proof.
But the occasional rumors that Mercedes will be doing away with V-8s altogether are categorically wrong, company executive said at the brand's investors meeting on Thursday.
"Mercedes-AMG plans to outgrow the performance market, thanks to a heavily refreshed model lineup from 2026 onwards and a strategic evolution of its portfolio, which will include a next-generation, high-tech electrified V8 and dedicated high-performance electric models based on Mercedes's release says.
It's not just V-8s that are here to stay either: V-12 engines will be sticking around in the coming years as well, at least in the right markets.
"To also ensure a comprehensive portfolio of electrified high-tech combustion-engine vehicles, Mercedes-Benz already has a full range of future-proof EU-7 ready engines and transmissions ranging from four to eight cylinders. In selected markets, 12-cylinder engines will continue to be offered," the release reads.
That's a pretty broad statement for a brand that currently only offers its 621-hp, 6.0-liter V-12 in the exclusive Mercedes-Maybach S 680, but we suspect the market for these double-digit-cylinder models is a small but consistent one. Both U.S. and European executives, celebrities, and politicians seem to enjoy the exclusivity of the motor, and keeping such clientele at ease is likely a worthy endeavor for Mercedes.
As for the eight-pots, Mercedes-AMG is already working with one hybrid V-8, but the wording of this announcement reads as if more V-8 developments are on the horizon. Currently, AMG uses a 4.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 augmented by a hybrid battery and electric motors in a number of performance models, cranking out as much as 831 hp and 1032 lb-ft of torque in four-door form. The AMG S 63 E Performance, SL 63 E Performance and GT 63 S E Performance all rely on this rocketship powertrain to satisfy the needs of power-hungry buyers, but enthusiasts have long thought these sorts of engines were on the short list for the chopping block. Emissions regulations continue to tighten in Europe, but the German automaker appears confident that it can continue offering high displacement and excellent efficiency at once.
Just because V-8 and V-12 offerings are here to stay doesn't guarantee they'll stick around in every model they have before, however. Mercedes fans have long been waiting for the revival of the AMG E 63, with rumors abounding that it may switch its powerplant from an eight-cylinder to a plug-in-hybrid inline-six. A line in the investor release suggests there may be a bit of a wait in learning more about the future of the E 63.
"Mercedes-Benz's product launch programme starts in 2025 with the CLA, followed by a major upgrade of the S-Class in 2026, an all-electric GLC and C-Class, as well as a string of BEV and electrified high-tech ICE launches at Mercedes-AMG," an investor release says.
That timeline suggests that our next update on the E 63 could arrive in 2026, if not in 2027. E-Class fanatics have been lacking in the E 63 department since 2023, and they'll likely have to wait a bit longer. Even so, these developments from Mercedes are net positives for displacement enthusiasts and efficiency fans alike — indicating that the German automaker plans to have its cake and eat it too.
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