New AMG V8 Is a Breath of Turbocharged Fresh Air
Mercedes may end up calling this engine the M179, but either way, there’s a new AMG V8 in town.
Just when we had thought that AMG’s magic touch had gone away, we get some refreshing news. Motor1 has reported that the Mercedes in-house tuner is developing a new V8. Exciting stuff, considering it seems like not that long ago, most car companies had made pledges to be zero emissions in the near future. Instead, AMG tells us we’ll have a new, large displacement V8 that will be in production “well into the next decade.”
That’s the words from Michael Schiebe, AMG’s CEO. He’s also said they will “keep making 8-cylinder cars for as long as there’s a demand.” Interesting, since AMG has recently shamed those same folks by stating they just don’t “understand” modern AMG performance cars… Perhaps AMG has understood that people express their opinions via where they spend their money. But we digress.
So here’s what we know. It’ll be turbocharged. As much as we love the naturally aspirated era of AMG engines, those are long gone. It’ll be cleaner, which is always a good thing. However that cleanliness may be achieved through electric motors. This new V8, due out in 2027, is said to be electrified. The way in which that is achieved is not yet disclosed. But it’ll have “better pedal response” which is likely where the extra zap will come in to play.
It’ll be more powerful than the outgoing engine, too. AMG’s current V8, the M178, has a storied history. It is used in everything from the AMG GT Black Series to even the Aston Martin Valhalla. For the Mercedes models, 720 horsepower is on tap. Whats of note here is that any new V8 would likely share that same inter-model compatibility. The AMG GT is front engine rear drive, and the Valhalla, mid engine rear drive. Depending on where the electrification comes from, this engine could technically be the power plant for a more approachable AMG ONE. And wouldn’t that be interesting. AMG making a GT to rival the likes of the R8, Corvette or 296.
Photos: Motor1
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