Increasingly restrictive anti-pollution regulations have put immense pressure on the automotive industry. Without resorting to the “downsizing” fashion, the task of reconciling performance with efficiency in sports models becomes increasingly difficult, but AMG has now come up with its latest “whooping cough”.
Aiming to make forget and send the 6.2l V8 M159 block to the hall of fame of exotic mechanics and sound worthy of an orchestra, the new 4.0l V8 and twin turbo AMG M178 block is AMG's answer to face it the future. The first model to debut this mechanic will be the «anti-911» from Mercedes: the AMG GT.
With its debut marked in the future Mercedes AMG GT, which will replace the Mercedes SLS AMG, the new M178 block is a compendium of technology, using numerous innovations, all so that performance is perfectly matched with efficiency.
But if there are any doubts about its real credentials, the M178 block explains with its technical file why it is an anthology mechanic from the AMG house.
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With a V8 architecture and faithful to AMG's premises, the M178 block has 3982cc and a piston stroke diameter of 83mm x 92mm, which makes this block a compact mechanical assembly.
As a result of supercharging with 2 twin turbochargers developed by Borg Warner and located in the section above the intake manifold, they allowed AMG to make the block dimensions more contained, supplying compressed air to the combustion chambers more quickly.
With a power of 510 horsepower at 6250rpm, the AMG block has a stamina up to 7200rpm, incredible for a biturbo block and with a compression ratio of 10.5:1. The overwhelming torque of this 4.0l V8 is 650Nm, then at 1750rpm and constant until 4750rpm. With specific power values of 128hp/l and a specific torque of 163.2Nm/l, the M178 block weighs just 209kg.
Part of the technical recipe for this AMG block – as it is one of the first engines with power above 500hp to comply with EUR6 standards – went through endowing the block with the already-dominated “Nanoslide” technique, which allows for reduced friction, using pistons lighter, with lower friction segments, with clear advantages in fuel and oil consumption.
Another new feature is the zirconium coating of the cylinder head, which allowed AMG to increase the tolerance and thermal dissipation capacity of the M178 block. The center of gravity of the V8 block has been reduced using dry sump lubrication, thus reducing the height by 55mm.
With regard to gasoline injection, it is done directly and already has the latest Piezo injectors, capable of up to 7 injections per cycle and an injection pressure of 130bar. The nominal boost pressure is 1.2bar, but Borg Warner's twin turbos are capable of generating 2.3bar of pressure at full speed.
Stay with the promotional video of the new AMG whooping cough, for the Mercedes AMG GT.