That sure gave the mesage they can't build a V8 with that much power. OK, so now, it's they won't build a 100 hp/liter V8 engine. I can't argue with you on that notion because I have no idea what their R&D department is doing on future engines.

I wouldn't go as far as to say that. Mercedes doesn't really follow any type of pattern for very long. Well, other than building very reliable engines, they haven't been following a pattern in the recent past. Before they started using forced induction, all of their production engines were naturally aspirated except for their diesels. Due to increased emission requirements, they may have to go back to making naturally aspirated engines. I guess we'll see but arguing about what they will do in the future is pointless.

Engine development has come a long way in the last 30 years. I would not put any limits on future engine development. The only thing keeping manufacturers from making well over 120 hp/liter on all production engines is friction and heat loss. Once we learn how to greatly reduce or eliminate friction and heat losses, the sky is the limit on hp.