V8-smashing performance from F1-inspired AMG 4-cyl hybrid

Mercedes-Benz’s performance division, AMG, has given a detailed glimpse of its electrified future.

The performance brand best known for its loud V8s is switching to hybrid and EV powertrains, albeit in phases that will keep the V8 engine in operation for some time yet.

There are three core elements to the future AMG electric models:

• V8 twin-turbo hybrids with up to 600kW/1000Nm
• A new 4-cylinder turbo with an F1-inspired electric turbo for 500kW
• Full battery electric AMG models

600kW for V8 hybrid AMG

The most powerful of the new generation of engines will be a hybrid version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo currently used in various models, including the E63 and GT63 4-door.

READ MORE: Mercedes-AMG’s EV strategy revealed: from axial flux motors AMG 63 pace

As well as the petrol engine’s 450kW it gets the assistance of a rear-mounted electric motor to boost outputs to a whopping 600kW and 1000Nm.

That motor predominantly drives the rear wheels through a two-speed transmission, but it can also send drive to the front wheels using the 4Matic all-wheel drive system.

Mercedes-Benz says the drivetrain will be capable of 0-100km/h acceleration in less than 3.0 seconds. While impressive, the all-electric Porsche Taycan easily beats that, showing that EVs really do have the measure in this fast-evolving performance world, at least when it comes to initial acceleration.

And that’s partly the point. The V8-powered AMGs are designed for high-speed work – autobahns and race tracks – and the hybrid system will lean on the V8 twin-turbo plenty for that.

The V8 hybrid will have four levels of regeneration feeding into a 6.1kWh battery. However, Mercedes-Benz says it’s scalable, so can be added to for markets that require more electric-only driving.

That battery has 14 litres of cooling that individually cools 560 cells to keep them at the optimum temperature for efficiency.

Plus there’s a plethora of drive modes: Comfort, Electric, Sport, Sport+, Race and Individual. The Electric mode allows pure EV driving up to 130km/h.

Handling dynamics are looked after separately with AMG Dynamics that has four modes: Basic, Advanced, Pro and Master, each allowing progressively more slip and spirited driving.

“With our new drive strategy, we are transporting our hallmark DNA into an electrified future,” says AMG chairman Philipp Schiemer.

“Our  performance hybrids, developed entirely in [AMG’s headquarters at] Affalterbach, will even surpass the driving dynamics of our current models and thus absolutely do justice to our new technology label E Performance.”

4-cylinder hybrid with F1 tech

Under the E Performance banner comes a new four-cylinder hybrid drivetrain that will replace the V8 engine in future 63-model AMGs, starting with the C63 AMG.

It uses the existing M139 2.0-litre four-cylinder but employs a new turbocharger inspired by Formula 1.

The turbo is driven off the exhaust gases so is capable of big power without draining electricity from the onboard 400V electrical system.

However, the turbo incorporates an electric compressor, similar to that in the MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit Heat) system pioneered by the Mercedes-AMG F1 team.

Rather that build on the tech being developed by parent Mercedes-Benz, AMG instead decided to work on its own drivetrain to optimise performance.

“Mercedes-AMG has always stood for top performance and maximum driving dynamics,” says AMG chief technical officer Jochen Hermann.

“When developing our new E Performance hybrid strategy, it was therefore immediately clear that we would pursue an independent concept for AMG.”

That allows the turbo to spin up using electricity when exhaust gases aren’t flowing before switching to exhaust thrust once the engine is pushing harder.

Mercedes-AMG says “the result is that the combustion engine responds even more immediately to accelerator pedal input, ands the entire driving feel is significantly more dynamic and agile”.

The engine also promises “higher torque at lower engine speeds compared to non-electrified turbocharging”.

The electric turbo can also keep spinning when the driver is not accelerating, allowing a more immediate reapplication of power.

The four-cylinder – which will make at least 330kW of power – is likely to appear in a C43 AMG initially.

But it’ll also replace V8s before long.

For the C63 and more powerful C63 S it will be combined with a 150kW rear-mounted electric motor, placed at the back of the car in part to optimise weight distribution.

It will predominantly power the rear wheels driving through a two-speed transmission but can also send drive forwards for all-paw EV capability.

Mercedes-AMG says the total output will exceed 500kW – which is plenty more than the current twin-turbo V8 does on its own without electrical assistance.

The battery pack was also inspired by F1, which AMG says makes a big step up on energy density.

“Added to this is the High Performance Battery we developed, which boasts twice the power density of conventional drive batteries and, like many other components, is inspired by technology from Formula 1,” says Hermann.

All-electric AMG models confirmed

Mercedes-Benz has long teased it is working on electric AMG models.

Now Mercedes-AMG has also confirmed it is working on battery electric versions for future models, the company saying “Mercedes-AMG is also developing performance vehicles with all-battery-electric drive”.

To utilise the EQ architecture that will underpin the EQS and other future Mercedes-Benz EV models, the BEV tech will initially be used on the lesser powered 43 and 53-series AMG variants “for target groups who place high value on innovative electric mobility but do not want to forego sportiness and agile driving dynamics”

Mercedes-AMG says it will have specific designs that “pick up on AMG’s characteristic elements and transfers them to the all-electric age”. Think grilles, wheels, skirting and spoilers, among other aerodynamic aids.

Each BEV AMG will have a dual motor setup and Mercedes-Benz says performance will be “on a par with the most powerful Mercedes-AMG Performance models with the current 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine”.

While others – including Porsche, Audi, Hyundai and Kia – are utilising an 800V electrical architecture, Mercedes-Benz is sticking with 400V for now.

Mercedes-AMG chairman Philipp Schiemer says the EV AMGs will open the brand up to a new audience – one possible dreaming of owning Teslas today.

“With the all-electric derivatives based on the Mercedes-EQ models, we as Mercedes-AMG are also continuing to take off with the electrification of the portfolio,” he says. “We are thus opening ourselves up to new target groups who can experience Mercedes-AMG as the Performance Luxury brand of the 21st century.”