The new line of Mercedes-Benz AMG engines has started to appear in dealerships across the U.S. Believe it or not AMG is doing some ‘downsizing’ of their engine line… but only in theory, there is nothing small about the horsepower, but they are making things more efficient.
Since 2008 AMG has used their 6.2 liter naturally aspirated V8 across the AMG line, for the 2011 model year they are shifting to a 5.5 liter twin turbo charged engine. The new engine makes its first appearance in the S63, like the one we have sitting in the Feldmann Imports’ show room today. The new M-157 AMG engine produces a respectable 536 hp in, when you add the higher output AMG Performance Package version you get an additional 27hp cranking up the horses to a 563 hp. That’s a 45 hp increase over the outgoing S63 model.
Incredibly all of this can be achieved while getting better gas mileage than the previous S63 model due to new internal engine components and direct injection. The new S63 AMG is able to increase power while avoiding the Gas Guzzler tax that has been a part of the window stickers of past S63 cars. If it matters to you, gas mileage is stated to be 23.5 mpg on the highway, that’s more than 6mpg better than previous S63 AMG models.
This particular car has the AMG Performance Package which gives you more horse power, a limited top speed (yet still electronically limited) to 186mph and a special Carbon Fiber Engine Cover… with a plaque and the signature of the gentleman who built the engine at AMG’s Affalterbach plant.