Currently reading: Geneva motor show 2010: AMG's new 5.5 V8 for the S63

New, smaller engine has more power and torque than the 6.2 V8 it replaces

AMG has revealed a new twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8 engine, which will be available in the Mercedes S63 AMG from this summer.

Despite having a smaller capacity than the 6.2-litre V8 it replaces, the new unit, codenamed M157, produces more power and more torque and promises improved fuel efficiency.

A total of 537bhp is produced at 5500rpm (versus 518bhp at 6800rpm in the 6.2 V8) and 590lb ft of torque is also on offer between 2000 and 4500rpm, which is considerably more than the 464lb ft at 5200rpm produced in the current engine.

A 563bhp, 664lb ft version of the engine will also be available as part of a performance package upgrade on the S63 AMG.

The engine weighs 204kg, the twin turbochargers are provided by Garrett and the engine will be mated to Mercedes’ seven-speed MCT transmission, which is also found in the E63 AMG. Fuel consumption in the 5.5 V8 has been improved to 26.9mpg from 19.6mpg in the outgoing 6.2 V8.

The new unit is based on an upcoming Mercedes twin-turbo 4.6-litre V8 engine, which will find its way into the new CLS and S-class models later this year. It’s codenamed M278.

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eseaton 1 March 2010

Re: AMG's new 5.5 V8 for the S63

In case anyone thinks I have gone insane, the text did initially say the engine was "installed at 90 degrees"!

eseaton 1 March 2010

Re: AMG's new 5.5 V8 for the S63

"installed at 90 degrees". And upside down as well I expect.

Who wrote this?

rosstopher 1 March 2010

Re: AMG's new 5.5 V8 for the S63

C.Schweizer wrote:
Will the new car will be called the S55?

That would make sense, at least it'd be more accurate than the current designation.