Automotive

Mercedes reveals V8 heart of new AMG GT supercar

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Mercedes is slowly teasing the details of its new AMG GT
Mercedes is slowly teasing the details of its new AMG GT
Mercedes is slowly teasing the details of its new AMG GT
AMG's new M178 engine forms the heart of the new GT
AMG's new M178 engine forms the heart of the new GT
Mercedes is slowly teasing the details of its new AMG GT
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Mercedes has taken the slow approach to revealing its new AMG GT supercar. We've seen the interior and some hazy shots of its profile, but until now we didn't know anything about how it would perform. Finally, Mercedes has released some details. So what is under the GT's hood?

The new powerplant is a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, putting out some seriously impressive power numbers – namely 510 hp (375 kW) at 6250 RPM and 650 Nm of torque between 1750 and 4750 RPM. The engine features aluminum forged pistons, and places the turbochargers in between the cylinder bank to keep the engine compact and aid responsiveness.

Mercedes has fitted a dual mass flywheel, and the engine will sit on active mountings, which are designed to keep the car's ride comfortable without impacting handling. In order to keep things running smoothly, the cylinder barrels of the new engine will be coated with what AMG is calling "Nanoslide" in order to lower friction and oil consumption.

Oil isn't the only consumption figure Mercedes is trying to keep low: through lessening displacement and turbocharging, the new engine should record better emissions and economy figures than the 6.2-liter V8 it replaces.

Although impressive, the new 4.0-liter V8 (M178) actually less powerful than the 6.3-liter V8 from the outgoing SLS AMG, which made 560 hp (420 kW). The engine does, however, make the same amount of torque, and the new AMG GT is set to be smaller and lighter than the old car, so don't expect it to be slow.

There's no word as yet about the new GT's handling or suspension set up.

The new engine is detailed in the video below.

Source: Mercedes-Benz

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8 comments
Slowburn
Going to a straight-6 would have reduced friction.
Mel Tisdale
@ slowburn
The fewer the number of pistons, the bigger they need to be. The bigger they need to be, the more swept area they cover. Assuming piston ring pressure loads to be the same for any capacity, then surely the friction loads have to be about the same.
On top of that, a straight six would need a longer body in order to accommodate it, which would add to the vehicle weight.
Frik Linde
Mercedes, you're wasting time on fossil fueled engines, rather get cracking on the new stuff. You're new competitor is Tesla, in case you have not yet realised that!
steveraxx
All of this supposed technological prowess and all german marques: VW, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, all have issues with over-heating. All have issues with cracked cylinder heads, cracked blocks. These vehicles do not last very long. Magazines like Bimmer and Excellence tell people that one need simply remove and replace the entire cooling system every 40,000!
Odd, did not have to do that on my Honda. Yet the BMW and the Porsche both have the above referenced very expensive issues.
antiguajohn
Compared to a Tesla Model S this is an over complicated Rube Goldberg like device and with poorer performance, higher running costs and it will need vastly more maintenance.
Electric is the future, if you don't believe this, well sit back and watch the next 20 years, you will see.
If you are in the fossil fuel business, be afraid ........... be very afraid!
Scientia Non Domus,
antiguajohn
Slowburn
@ Mel Tisdale Do you really believe that the only source of friction in the engine is the rings. Funny thing circles the area increases faster than the circumference so a 6 cylinder engine of the same stroke and displacement has less ring material. The hot gas will also lose less heat to the cylinder wall boosting efficiency. The sraight-6 also has less engine weight.
Powerflow
Anyone catch near the end where they brag about their low power-to-weight ratio? :)
Slowburn
@ Powerflow I saw that a less powerful engine will be powering a lighter car. I expect the car will have an improved Power to Weight ratio.