Mercedes V8 engine will still have a future and it will continue to be used in new models, such as the new Mercedes SL. In addition, electrifying the V8 engine with the 48V mild hybrid system or with Plug-In hybrid systems will help to reduce emissions.
The current V8 engine (M178) was launched in the fall of 2014 on the Mercedes-AMG GT (C190) sports model. With a 4-liter displacement, the twin-turbo V8 engine had two turbos mounted inside the V and dry sump lubrication that allowed the engine to be mounted 55 mm lower.
A year later, the M177 version derivated from the M178 version was launched on the Mercedes-AMG C 63. The main difference was that this version used wet sump lubrication. In C63 and GLC 63, the two turbos are single scrolled while in E 63 and S 63 the turbos are twin scroll and there is also a cylinder deactivation system.
The same engine is found in the GLE 63, GLS 63, G 63 and Maybach GLS 600 but in combination with a mild hybrid system, 48V network and integrated generator starter with 22 HP but also in the first AMG PHEV – Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance in combination with a 14 HP starter generator and a 204 HP electric motor at the rear axle.
Also, the M177 version is used in various Aston Martin models; DB11 from 2017, Vantage from 2018 and DBX from 2020. In the Aston Martin models but also in the E 63 and G 63 the engine does not have mild hybrid technology.
Also in 2015, a new version named M176 was derived for the G 500, the new GLE 580 4Matic, GLS 580 4Matic but also S 580 4Matic. The 580 versions received in 2019 a mild hybrid system on 48V with an integrated starter generator with 20 HP but the G 500 does not have a mild hybrid system.
It is not yet clear which version will be found under the hood of the new Mercedes SL but given that the new SL will share the new technical platform MSA (Modular Sports Architecture) with the future AMG GT, it is expected to use the M178 version with dry sump lubrication.
What will happen in the future? So far, we know that only the future C63 will give up the V8 engine and logically the future GLC 63. It remains to be seen what will happen to the E 63. It will continue with the V8 or take over the new PHEV system with the 4-cylinder turbo engine from the future C 63?
But for large SUVs like GLE, GLS, G-Class but also for the S-Class sedan and the AMG and Maybach derivations but also for the performance model AMG GT 63 4-doors we are sure that Mercedes will continue to use the V8 engine in various forms of electrification which reduce emissions.
Certainly, in the near future the V8 engine in the G 500 and G 63 will also be electrified and probably the new PHEV system from the AMG GT 63 S E performance will be found in other AMG models. The technology used in the AMG GT 63 S E Performance with a small battery of only 6.1 kWh, does not increase weight too much but reduced emissions. Therefore, this system would be very suitable in large SUVs.
