But I’m really likeing the sound of these new engines especially with the numbers they are throwing at us from an engine that is a lot smaller.

Yes, clearly the blown 5.4 has more low end than the n/a 6.2. However, the author compared the 5.4 to the V12s, which have copious low end; in fact, far more than even the mighty 5.4 Kompressor, since MB hasn’t built a V12 without twin turbos since 2002.

Doctorv8, yes you are correct the supercharged engine is 5.4. The 6.2L natural V8 does have less low end shove than the 5.4 supercharged V8, but once both cars start reaching the higher rpm range, the 6.2L V8 beats the 5.4 supercharged.

Also, I prefer the supercharged 5.4L V8 over the 6.2L natural V8.

Just to demonstrate, try cruising at 60 mph, lock the trans in manual mode, make sure tap the right paddle until you’re in 5th gear (around 1500 rpm), and floor the throttle without tripping the kickdown switch. In about 5 seconds, you will be going well over 100 mph, all in 5th gear. Now that is low end torque, uncontaminated by traction issues.

The “5.5″ you mentioned is actually 5.4L, and while it has a ton of torque too….it’s 200 ft lbs shy of the V12, even if it does come in fractionally earlier in the rpm range, it’s conservative tuning that keeps both motors from annihilating the tires in stock trim.

@gaazmon:

What’s good about that? Aren’t the 7-speeds better?

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/is-it-time-for-a-us-v6-mercedes-s-class-twin-turbo-i6-bmw-7-series/comment-page-2/#comments

To clear things up: Mercedes produces two V12s: the base 5.5L that produces over 500hp and the AMG 6.0L that produces 604hp. Both are turbos and have a 5-speed auto.

I’ve heard mixed things about the difference betweend the 5.5L supercharged vs. 6.2L natural. Supposedly (I’ve never driven either) the 5.5L has more power at the lower RPMs since it has more torque than the 6.2L and it has a 5-speed auto. The 6.2L natural has more higher RPM power and has a 7-speed auto.

I’m guessing this means a return of the 5-speed auto for the AMG V8’s, so I’m likeing the sound of this.

The implication is of two V12s, one a 6.0L TT, the other a 6.2L NA.

The 6.2L Naturally Aspirated AMG engine is a V8.

I have a very hard time believing that a 570hp twin turbo V8 would consume significantly less gas than a V12 of equivalent power, especially when driven hard.

If you just have to have yourself a V12, fill out a pre-order now for the SLC Gullwing, launching in 2010. The tasty retro-coupe will be the last application for Ye Olde 6.2, cranking-out over 600 horsepower, mated to an 8-speed automatic.

I’m confused…

I know AMG offers the 6.2 (6.3) V8 and a 6.0 V12 Biturbo…

But do they also offer a 6.2 V12 Biturbo, as in 2 different V12 biturbos with just .2 litres displacement difference between them???

And consequently…will the new Gullwing have the ‘63′ 6.2 V8 or a V12?

Leave the smaller engines in cars that mileage-conscious people buy and let the rich people have their toys. :P

I could not get past the tacky large Mercedes symbol on the front.

EDIT: it’s the 2009 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

And does anyone else think the car pictured looks like a rip-off of The alfa Romeo 8C?

Wow, even the performance arm of these companies is starting to realize the negative effect this horsepower war is having. That’s great actually. For BMW’s M Division to turn around and instead of shunning forced induction, they’ll offer it as a means to coax more power without a huge efficiency drop. This should prove interesting to watch.