No one knows yet, but from what I've read, MBZ has essentially stated that they are no longer participating in the HP wars...IE, they will produce whatever engine w/whatever HP they think will make for the best car, rather than building engines that top whatever BMW has. Based upon those facts I seriously doubt a 600HP MBZ 212 is in our future but who knows.

 

Yes thats true that the auto manufacturers would like to stop the horsepower wars, but from what many have been hearing lately its not quite over yet.... Benz's upcoming 63 replacement, which will be a 5.5 liter 32-Valve DOHC Direct-Injection twin-turbo V-8, is obviously quite a bit larger than the 4.4 liter DI V-8 in the upcoming M5. It should have anywhere between 580 to 650 horsepower depending upon configuration and model.... maybe they'll limit it to 600 Horsepower for the upcoming 2012 model E55 but push it higher for the heavier S/CL/SL 55's..... all these cars will be far too fast for public roads anyways, so its just for bragging rights, but its still pretty cool.... also as I'm sure its quite obvious to all of us here, putting out an almost 600 HP (probably conservative estimate, just look how conservative BMW has been with they're estimates on the HP from the new 750Li's engine!) bi-turbo M5 (which they know will easily smoke a 518 horsepower naturally aspirated 2010 model E63) is a direct taunt to dare Mercedes to counter-attack, so that leaves the two auto makers with almost no choice but to continue the horsepower wars....

One thing is for sure is there is no way that Mercedes is gonna let BMW have the horsepower crown for longer than a year or so before they want it back. Thats just the way they work.

Another interesting thing: Why is it that Benz is being so much more hush hush about the replacement for the range-topping AMG models, the 65's? The 5.5 liter bi-turbo V-8 is replacing the naturally aspirated 6.2 liter V-8 in this year's cars, so what engine will replace the 6.0 liter AMG V-12, and even the regular 5.5 liter bi-turbo V-12 in the 600 models? I would love to hear more about it... so far it is said that obviously since BMW, Audi, and Bentley all will have V-12 range-toppers, so too will Benz continue this trend, so they say look out for a new bi-turbo DI 48-Valve DOHC V-12 for the 2012 model S/CL/SL 600 models, and the 65's will be replaced with either a fully AMG modified version of this, or a much larger version of the upcoming 5.5 liter bi-turbo V-8 thats coming... rumors are that the "6.9" or "7.3" AMG badge might make a comeback for the highest of the range-topping models.... now thats super cool for sure.... factory 700+ (or 800 maybe since they're usually so conservative with the HP estimates) horsepower AMG anyone?

Also don't forget what if BMW goes ahead with that long-rumored Z9 convertible to take it head on against the next generation SL that's coming in 2 years? And the return of a dedicated M supercar coupe and convertible to take on the SLS? Just imagine if BMW has been giving the new DI V-12's from the new 760Li to the M department to make it a total M V-12.... this HP war surely can't be over anytime soon then....

 

Im pretty sure we can cruise to the moon in AMG version of an SL with the top down in the near future.

 

BMW better fix their dct transmission. M3 owners have had some problems with it. The Porsche pdk is flat out awesome and is the benchmark for these new dual clutch transmissions.