Future Strategy For Mercedes V-12 Engines

[HighestOfHigh]

Future Strategy For Mercedes V-12 Engines Lies With AMG

The future looks bright for V-12 engines, at least, they do at Mercedes-Benz. This is because the luxury automaker has confirmed its future lineup will offer the full flavor of a V-12, though the development and production of the engines will be outsourced to AMG.

That’s right, Mercedes will no longer be developing its own V-12 engines, which makes sense since the number of models it offers with a 12-cylinder powerplant can be counted on just one hand. AMG, on the other hand, currently has four V-12 models in its fleet and also supplies a unique 12-cylinder engine for the Pagani Huayra, and given the rave reviews of the Italian supercar we wouldn’t be surprised if other small firms enlist the help of AMG’s engine masters as well.

As for Mercedes, all twelve-cylinder engines for its future models will be developed at AMG’s facilities in Affalterbach, Germany, and be manufactured in accordance with the firm’s traditional philosophy of "one man, one engine.” We're hoping they also get the cool AMG engine signature plaques.

Currently, AMG produces a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V-12 codenamed the M279. This engine most recently featured in the 2013 SL65 AMG where it developed 621 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. The first non-AMG model to feature a V-12 built in Affalterbach is likely to be the brand new 2014 Mercedes-Benz S600 due out next year. Expect it to feature a detuned version of the M279.

- Future Strategy For Mercedes V-12 Engines Lies With AMG

 

[Wolfgang]

Mercedes AMG twin turbo V12 changes -
How the new M279 Twin Turbo V12 differs from the previous M275

You should all know by now that Mercedes is bringing back the twin turbo V12 with the new R231 SL65 AMG. We originally thought this was just the same old M275 V12 that had seen duty in the previous generation 600 and 65 AMG's but the motor has received some updates along with a new M279 engine designation. The 6.0 liter V12 to reach its new 630 horsepower rating received far more than just different ECU software.

A multi-spark ignition with twelve double ignition coils is used that Mercedes states provides for a smoother motor and more effective combustion. This also is used in conjunction with a new engine management system.

The cylinder heads were also revised in order to flow better for more power. The turbos have been changed featuring new wheels and are mated to new manifolds. The wastegate ducts have also been revised.

Additionally, the exhaust system underwent some significant changes. The catalytic converter system was optimized both for emissions and power. The wall thickness of the exhaust was reduced and the system is now 7 pounds lighter than the previous generation.

Other parts such as the intercooler, throttle body, and airbox remain the same. The M279 is a nice update to what already was a stout powerplant.

BenzBoost - Mercedes AMG twin turbo V12 changes - How the new M279 Twin Turbo V12 differs from the previous M275

 

[Wolfgang]

The Pagani Huayra features a 6.0-liter, twin-turbo V12 developed by AMG. Thanks, Fangio!

Mercedes-Benz handing off all V12 development to AMG

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Is the M279 still utilizing 3-valves/cyl.?

 

[Wolfgang]

I think so. Here's an info file from the time when the three valve tech was introduced.

Three-Valve Technology Reduces Emissions by 40 Percent

The new Mercedes-Benz V6 engine features innovative three-valve-per-cylinder technology which can reduce exhaust emissions dramatically over 40 percent particularly during the critical warmup stage, before the catalytic converter usually begins to operate. Catalysts must heat up to work effectively, and this takes nearly two minutes with most modern engines. Increasingly strict emissions limits mean this converter light-off time must be reduced to about one minute, and the new Mercedes-Benz V6 meets this tough criteria. There's about 30 percent less surface area at the exhaust port, relative to a comparable four-valve engine, which dramatically reduces exhaust heat losses between the engine and the catalytic converter. This translates to higher exhaust temperature (about 70 degrees Centigrade or 125 degrees Fahrenheit) and converter "light-off" about 12 seconds earlier.

In the new V6, combustion heat in each of the large, single exhaust valves is dissipated through a sodium-filled valve stem, while exhaust heat is retained and insulated by double-wall piping in the exhaust manifold. The seamless double-wall manifold is made by using high-pressure liquid-forming technology, for greater durability and lighter weight.

There is no tradeoff in horsepower and torque with the new three-valve technology compared to a four-valve design. In any efficient, well-designed engine, exhaust valve size needs to be somewhat smaller than the intake valve area, simply because the "leftovers" of combustion (especially in a modern, clean-burning engine) take up less space than the incoming fuel-air mixture.

A One-Two Punch For Spark Plugs

Using one less exhaust valve also makes room for two spark plugs per cylinder, and an innovative offset-phase twin-plug ignition system matched to the new three-valve technology actually improves performance in the new engine.
Among other things, the new dual ignition system allows an extremely lean fuel-air mixture and late ignition timing during warm-up (retarded by 5-10 crank degrees), which further increases exhaust gas volume and temperature. In this way, the tri-metal catalytic converter is heated up more quickly and begins converting pollutants even sooner. In addition, the dual ignition system activates the two spark plugs in each cylinder one after the other in quick succession (rather than simultaneously), depending on engine load and speed. This "phase-shifted" twin-plug sequence (as well as the basic ignition timing) can change after each combustion cycle for extremely precise control of the combustion process. This also enables combustion chamber pressures to be closely controlled to minimize combustion noise without sacrificing efficiency.

http://www.mercedestechstore.com/pdfs/512_Maybach/512 HO M285 Engine (Frech, W) 08-06-03.pdf

 

[Gianclaudio]

Does the M158 uses three or four valves per cylinder? The gold anodized dissipators are so damm beautiful!

 

[Wolfgang]

Can't find M158 info at Daimler. Better to look at Pagani?

http://www.pagani.com/huayra/partners/mercedes_amg.aspx

 

[Gianclaudio]

Thanks Wolf! Definetively looks like 3 valves, altough somewhere I readed that the M158 uses four valves. I'll try luck and write to Pagani and ask

 

[Soup]

Thanks Wolf! Definetively looks like 3 valves, altough somewhere I readed that the M158 uses four valves. I'll try luck and write to Pagani and ask

They won't reply, even AMG engine builder Michael Kübler didn't bother to respond

https://www.lovecars.com/news/2014/08/28/one-man-one-engine-we-ask-michael-kubler-of-mercedesamg-10-questions

 

[Soup]

Found one of his replies on instagram

"Engine internals are not allowed to share! Sorry mate. Hope you can understand."

 

[Merc1]

Motor Trend said that the AMG GT Black Series would feature a V12, that would be a perfect way/time to introduce an all new one and then tune it down/specifically for SL/S/G and next gen GLS.

M

 

[Rolf]

Thanks Wolf! Definetively looks like 3 valves, altough somewhere I readed that the M158 uses four valves. I'll try luck and write to Pagani and ask

That head in this picture is definitely 3 valves per cylinder as it has 3 cam followers per cylinder as well as 3 cam lobes per cylinder.

 

[Pagani]

Motor Trend said that the AMG GT Black Series would feature a V12, that would be a perfect way/time to introduce an all new one and then tune it down/specifically for SL/S/G and next gen GLS.

M

Do you have a link saying this? It sounds odd to hear about v12 and the GT in the same sentence.

 

[Merc1]

Do you have a link saying this? It sounds odd to hear about v12 and the GT in the same sentence.

Nope it was in the print copy.

M

 

[Pagani]

It makes sense that the next v12 will be modular to the v8 and i4 in 2 liter increments, so at 6L displacement. Over 700 horsepower is totally doable, given 50 percent more displacement of the 503hp (soft tune) of the v8. Exciting times and unseen levels for the v12. But of course, at these levels, MB is merely catching up to the other premier v12 producers.

But somehow, I cannot see a v12 in the GT. It is too small of a car (long hood be damned) and I think it would ruin the balance.

 

[Rolf]

I wonder when AMG will bring out this new V12, its long overdue. I certainly will be excited to hear them debuting this new engine. Hoping it will have 700PS and 1100Nm of torque.