Mercedes-AMG's V12 About To Die, V8 Will Live Longer Than Expected
V12 engines are fast becoming an endangered species. These glorious big 12-bangers are dropping like flies, and it’s looking like the Mercedes-AMG’s 6.0-litre twin-turbo unit is the next one we’ll be pressing X to pay respects for.
Speaking to Australian publication Go Auto, AMG boss Tobias Moers confirmed that after the current S65 is taken “out of our portfolio,” production of the 622bhp, 737lb ft engine will cease.
It’s a pity, but the prognosis for the company’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 is much more promising, and it’s all thanks to hybrid technology. “The V8 is a pretty efficient engine…In combination with an electrified powertrain, it could be a longer lifecycle than what everybody thinks.”
As for how long it has, Moers reckons it’s too difficult to say, given how quickly automotive technology is moving right now. “Nobody in the industry is able to predict the V8 engine ends, say, in 2028 – that’s impossible,” he concluded.
AMG has previously admitted that the Mercedes sub-brand will inevitably go electric at some point, but hopefully, we’ll be hearing rumbly V8 noises from these cars for a little while yet.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
I’m not hugely bothered. I was never a big fan of the Merc V12 (at least the 6-litre twin-turbo one). Heavy and barely more powerful than the V8 so only really has its place in the S-class where smoothness is king. Definitely hope the V8 stays as long as it can - it’s one heck of a versatile engine.
but the torque. or just the sheer insanity of the thing…
v8s are so mundane and common… the v12 has that totally ridiculous and unnecessary, but at the same time it adds an exciting and hilarious flair to whatever it’s in. True to AMG ethos.
Hold on, what’s Pagani going to do now? You can’t really have a sub-6-liter Huayra.
They’ll still probably make it for Pagani for the time being
Farewell, SL65. You will be sorely missed.
It was a bit excessive anyways
so sad,so sad,its a sad sad situation and its getting more and more absurd
Would it be wise to buy an S65 now.
I thought they were going to continue making the V12 engine for the Maybach S Class. RIP
No replacement for displacement!
Long live the V12!