Mercedes-AMG confirms 600kW V8 hybrid coming
AMG boss confirms flagship 4.0-litre V8 hybrid is being readied for production, likely to carry the legendary '73' badgeMercedes-AMG boss, Tobias Moers, has confirmed his performance division is developing a production version of the 2017 Geneva motor show AMG GT Sedan concept's twin-turbo 4.0-litre hybrid.
Speaking to tech blog, Digitaltrends.com, Moers confirmed a flagship hybrid V8 was on the way:
"Maybe you remember the GT concept from Geneva last year," said the AMG boss. "It had a V8 engine in the front and an electric motor on the rear axle. Everything is in development. It will go into production one day."
Claimed to hit 100km/h in less than three seconds, the Mercedes AMG GT sedan concept combined the current high-output version of AMG's 4.0-litre twin-turbo with a powerful electric motor.
Working in tandem, the electric motor's job was to provide instant torque off the line, or a burst of acceleration for overtaking.
Combined, the four-door AMG GT generated a mighty 600kW. The concept clawed back energy from regenerative braking via the engine, but it's thought the production version will also feature a plug-in capability to provide for a pure-electric range of more than 50km.
Whatever's the case, the go-faster sub-brand boss told the tech blog the new V8 hybrid would be blessed with an evocative AMG soundtrack.
"If you run [20km] in electric mode, then maybe it's OK to have your freedom and it's quiet," said Moers, adding: We do a lot of research together with companies, musicians, gaming people to find what could be the right sound for an electric-driven AMG. We're not done with that journey; we're just collecting a lot of input."
Moers went onto reveal that AMG is developing its own battery technology for its new powertrain that is lighter than conventional lithium-ion battery cells.
Greater use of carbon-fibre and other advanced composites was also the route to offsetting the extra weight of the batteries, electric motor and electronic controllers, said Moers.
The confirmation a flagship AMG engine is on the way neatly coincides the revelation a new trademark submitted by the German car maker suggests the famous '73' series could make a return.
According to a patent, submitted to the European Union Patent and Trademark Office by parent company Daimler, the German car maker’s high-performance division has trademarked the use of the ‘S 73’, ‘GLS 73’ and ‘G 73’ for future use in European markets.
The first (and only) time the ’73 AMG’ model name was used occurred between 1997 and 2001, for the R129 Mercedes SL 73 AMG.
Based on a bored-out version of the M120 5.9-litre V12, the huge 7.3-litre naturally-aspirated V12 produced around 390kW.
With just 85 units of the SL 73 sold, the same engine went on to find fame with Italian hypercar maker, Pagani, which chose it to power its Zonda.
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