From an ML Forum on 6speedonline. Not sure if its a repost but enjoy
New four-valve-per-cylinder engines will supplant Mercedes’ three-valve-per-cylinder V6 and V8 gasoline engines. All boast continuously variable camshaft timing to wield more power and torque. North American sales kick off next year with the ML350 using the new four-valve 3.5-liter V6 with 272 hp. At first it will be joined in the lineup by the existing three-valve 5.0-liter, 292-hp V8 in the ML500; however, Mercedes will replace this engine with the four-valve 4.6-liter V8 making 325 hp in a new mid-range ML450. A level higher will be a four-valve 5.5-liter V8 packing an impressive 410 hp in an ML550.

Crowning the lineup will be the ML63 AMG. Planned for introduction at the Frankfurt motor show in September 2005, the ML63 will be one of the first Mercedes models with AMG’s normally aspirated, four-valve 6.3-liter V8 engine. Conceived as a replacement for today’s three-valve 5.4-liter V8, in the ML63 the 6.3-liter is likely to make about 465 hp, say Stuttgart insiders.

All engines mate to Mercedes’ new 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic gearbox sending power constantly to all four wheels via an improved version of the 4-ETS (four-wheel-drive electronic traction system). It uses the ABS sensors to detect slip and applies braking force, automatically redirecting power to any unbraked wheels to improve momentum. Drivers are given the choice between high (on-road) and low (off-road) gearing via a dashboard switch.

 

I sure hope the 6.3 liter AMG engines will have more than 465 HP and especially more torque when put in the W211 E63 AMG cars?! With the end of the 3-valve engine I hope Kleemann reduces prices on the current supercharger while they develop one for the next 4-valve lumps.

 

for real i really think they should have at least 500 HP to beat the M5. Things are looking promising in the next year or two and maybe I'll be able to afford my own AMG so hopefully they will make more than 500 HP. A 6.3 V8 should push at least 500hp.

 

As for the 7G, in its current design it could not handle the torque of a couple of the above mentioned engines.

So, I am not sure they have all their information correct.

 

i disagree. Obviously they cant keep the 5 speed on their AMGs forever. Its like a natural evolution of things for the 7G to go to the AMGs. Maybe they arent just selling it with the current lineup and have it waiting in the wings.

 

I have read somewhere that the 6.3L V8 will have at least 500bhp as well

465bhp for a 6.3L V8 is underdoing it IMO

 

Now that would be a good engine for the C55.

 

shoot..then every class will offer four models to choose!! that's too many and very annoying!! How about a E350 with AMG-pack?? How will those future E63 owners feel about that BS.....At least, my brother isn't happy to see those E500s with AMG-pack on....He calls that poser's car!!

 

Just a guess here, but due to MB Marketing, this is what might happen for the 6.3L engine;

465hp - ML
480hp - CLK
500hp - E
520hp - S/SL

Does this sound framiliar to anyone?

 

I posted on this yesterday but it has vanished

The passenger cars should have more hp than the SUV's and therefore hit the magic 500hp mark. I'm glad MB is going back to more sophisticated engines than the current noisy 3 valve, SOHC, non-variable timed ones...it's about time.

 

Yes, but I bet the E and S/SL will have same "real" output but 20HP less in marketing stuff.

 

On the other hand, divide hp with liter and you get a rather linear relation (74 - 77 bhp per litre) and you end up with about 460 - 480 hp for 6.3 liter, so perhaps (but not hopefully) the number of the 6.3-engine is correct