Mercedes Slowly Saying Goodbye To The V8 Engine
Giancarlo Perlas July 4, 2022
Mercedes-Benz informed dealers that it was canceling production of most of its V8 engines in favor of 4-cylinder turbo/hybrid engines. This is a result of supply chain problems, not a reason attributed to the automaker’s change to electric vehicles.
However, saying goodbye to the production of Mercedes V8 engines won’t remove most Benzes from the market because most of the cars are available with a selection of engines. Up to 17 Mercedes models will be affected, and that includes AMG models.
An official statement from the automaker reveals the company is prioritizing to comply with some global, external, and internal needs, including challenges in the supply chain. This has affected their effectiveness in offering product portfolios for different markets.
The V8 Engine, One of the All-Time Greats
Mercedes continues to be a leader in innovation and pushing the boundaries in auto manufacturing. The V8 engine is the auto maker’s best all-around engine to date. Over the years, a range of powerful and silky smooth V8s have been produced, performance being the focus of achievement.
The likes of manufacturers’ models that testify to this include the S-class and 63 series. In collaboration with partners, AMG, Mercedes is renowned for the best V8s the world over. The V8 AMG 6.3-liter engine registers as one of the all-time greats.
The time has come for Mercedes to be forced, for a variety of reasons, to discontinue building cars with the V8 engine.
History of the V8 engine
The first vehicle to be featured with the engine is the Mercedes 600 model, a car characterized by a long wheelbase, and is luxurious. It earned a reputation as a silky smooth 6.3-liter engine that pushed the three-ton beast effortlessly.
Receiving much recognition, the automaker experimented with the engine in many of their cars during the 1960s. This proved successful enough that new engine sizes were produced and have been featured in many Mercedes fleets to date.
In 2009, a different version of 6.2-liters named M156 but marked as AMG 6.3 was produced by Mercedes-AMG in commemoration of the first-ever V8 engine. It was as spectacular as a racing engine it featured in Mercedes-AMG models. As a result, M156 is among the greatest engines of the brand Mercedes.
Transitioning To The 4-Cylinder Turbo/Hybrid Engines
Let’s take a look, for example, at the Mercedes-AMG C63, which is a unique and wonderful identity representing the wonders of the V8 engine. Fans who’ve grown accustomed to the C63 being V8-driven feel it’s a loss. But is it that bad?
There is a glimmer of hope transitioning from the V8 engine to the 4-cylinder turbo/hybrid engine is not such a tragedy. Let’s accept this is the way automakers, including Mercedes, are going.
Most V8-powered vehicles in the 2022 year model have been discontinued. The only exception model that will continue to be manufactured with the V8 engine is the Maybach.
Here is how Mercedes-Benz is getting rid of their V8 engines in favor of 4-cylinder turbo/ hybrid engines:
Efficiency
The key reason Benz had to make the shift is efficiency. Fuel economy is the main reason people give for not buying performance cars. The idea of a compact car that saves on fuel yet doesn’t let go of performance is a good thing to drive future sales figures.
Handling
Another potential gain of shifting from the V8 engines to the 4-Cylinder Turbo/Hybrid Engines is handling. Fitting the V8 engine into a smallish saloon Mercedes is a bit of an imbalance. Look at the factors of weight distribution and finesse.
The new engine version will provide a sweeter drive overall compared to the V8 Mercedes engine.
Design
Changing from the V8 engine to a compact electric drivetrain and a four-cylinder engine offers new opportunities for engineers. It gives them the chance to move the center of gravity rearwards and downwards.
The newer C63 model implementing the four-cylinder engine will adopt a self-changing hybrid setup which includes a tiny 0.9kWh battery for a short mileage hybrid capability.
The World Has Been Going Digital
With technological advancement, the world has been rapidly going digital. More people are focusing on technology as a priority in enjoying life, especially when driving top-notch contemporary cars like the Mercedes. To the digital generation, a ‘gigantic’ V8 engine feels to be a relic of the 20th century.
Smart Hybrid Technology
The next generation of Mercedes cars is predominantly technology-focused. A key focus is on smart hybrid technology. The way technology is evolving fast, it just won’t make sense to continue manufacturing newer Mercedes models of V8 engines.
