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Mercedes' new 32-valve V8 - READ ONLY

17 messages,  Last post on Aug 30, 2006 at 5:34 AM

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Messages Page 2 of 2

#8 of 17 Re: Mercedes' new 32-valve V8 [mac320] by merc1

Sep 17, 2005 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: mac320 (Sep 16, 2005 10:05 pm)
Yeah that was a curious decision to debut such an engine in a SUV. I suspect that the next car will be the CLK, since for 2006 CLK55 AMG Coupe has been dropped from the U.S. lineup.
 
Since the facelifted E and SL aren't ready for viewing yet, the next CL hasn't been presented, and the S-Class introduction already has enough content, AMG had no other "new" or newer model to debut the engine in. My pick would have been the CLS first. But the CLS did debut as a 2006 model so it has a while to go before the 2007 model year here in the U.S. I'm reading that the ML63 will be here next spring or early summer which is about the time the ML500 should be the new V8 from the S-Class. I'm curious as to whether or not there will be any "450" variants of the ML or R-Class in this country. The upcomming S450's 4.6L V8 should make about 335hp.
 
I'm a little worried that this new AMG engine won't equal or surpass the performance of the current 5.5L SC V8 in the E,S,CL,SL, and CLS "55" models because it doesn't have as much torque. On the German car boards they're telling me not to worry because the new engine's lighter weight combined with the 7-speed tranny will equal the straight-line performance of today's SC cars, and provide better handling as a result of less weight. We'll see.
 
M

#9 of 17 Re: Mercedes' new 32-valve V8 [merc1] by mac320

Sep 17, 2005 (7:35 pm)

Replying to: merc1 (Sep 17, 2005 12:12 pm)
Well, here are my guesses . . .
 
MB has been doing eveything from low displacement V6s to high-perf., SC'd V8s (and V12s too) with the same 90-degree "V" block. Now that improved heads have been added to it (retiring the twin spark, three valves per cylinder heads), I thought the next improvement would be direct injection.
 
Maybe the ML63's new block--that among other things does not require cylinder sleeves--will be the next all-purpose component block and will replace the current block across the MB line.
 

#10 of 17 Re: Mercedes' new 32-valve V8 [mac320] by merc1

Sep 19, 2005 (12:34 am)

Replying to: mac320 (Sep 17, 2005 7:35 pm)
I doubt if the tech from the new AMG V8 will spread across the MB lineup, too expensive I think. From everything I'm seeing about this new V8, its literally a racing engine, just like the V10 in the BMW M cars. That kind of tech costs.
 
Direct-injection - I could have sworn the new 3.5L V6 was direct injection when I first read about it, but it isn't.
 
In the hybrid S-Class the 3.5L V6 is fitted with direct injection and it makes 292hp. That may be added to the E350 and the S350 when the E is facelifted and if MBUSA decided to bring over the new S-Class in "350" form.
 
M

#11 of 17 Re: Mercedes' new 32-valve V8 [merc1] by greentea

Oct 25, 2005 (7:19 am)

Replying to: merc1 (Sep 19, 2005 12:34 am)
The next, new, 32-valve, engine--that is not based on the new "63" block, was confirmed in a press release yesterday . . . a 5.5L that makes it debut as an S550.
 
    "MONTVALE, N.J., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz today announced new nomenclature for its flagship sedan. The model year 2007 S-Class will be named the S550. . .delivering 382 horsepower and 391 lb.-ft. of torque, the first of a new-generation V8 engine family featuring four-valve-per-cylinder technology and variable valve timing . . ."
 
 
P.S., That easily bests MB''s last 32-valve V8 in the '90s that was thought to be a firebreather in its day (322 hp and 354 ft. lbs. of torque). Considering the "63" will show up first in the new ML, I would have to guess that the new "550" must be planned for the '07 ML, in addition to the "S-Class." That is something to look forward to: our ML500 probably will have about 80K miles on it by then.

#12 of 17 Re: Mercedes' new 32-valve V8 [greentea] by merc1

Oct 25, 2005 (9:19 pm)

Replying to: greentea (Oct 25, 2005 7:19 am)
Yeah I'm not sure why they waited until now to remame the car the S550 because the "S500" that went on sale in Europe last month has the same exact engine. Yes the old DOHC 32V V8 was a monster back in the day, and the particular hp/torque figures you qouted are from its application in the legendary W124 500E/E500 of the early nineties. Abosolutely loved that car!
 
Well as always a new engine starts out in one model and the spreads rather quickly. Yep for 2007 I'm betting on a CLK550, CLS550, E550, ML550, R550, GL550, and SL550. Question is where does the related 4.6L V8 with 335 hp fit in beyond the S450? I can't see anything past maybe a M, R, and GL450 being sold here.
 
M

#13 of 17 ML550 by cassiri

Jun 27, 2006 (4:42 am)

Any updates on when it will make it into the ML? The dealers seem to think not this year.

#14 of 17 Re: ML550 [cassiri] by merc1

Jun 27, 2006 (11:38 pm)

Replying to: cassiri (Jun 27, 2006 4:42 am)
For some reason both the ML500 and R500 keep the old V8 for the 2007 model year. Not sure why.
 
M

#15 of 17 when will we see a ml550 by oddy

Jul 25, 2006 (8:10 pm)

i am very close to buying a ml500 - however to get an 07 i have to wait until oct 1st.
 
does anybody have any idea when we are likely to see the 550 block in the ml?
 
thanks

#16 of 17 Re: when will we see a ml550 [oddy] by merc1

Jul 25, 2006 (11:41 pm)

Replying to: oddy (Jul 25, 2006 8:10 pm)
I have no idea and clearly don't understand as to why the 07' ML keeps the old 5L V8. Every other "500" changes to a "550" model for 07' except the ML/R500 models.
 
M

#17 of 17 ML550 by myd

Aug 30, 2006 (5:34 am)

I have a 2002 ML500. I am waiting for the ML550. It will likely be announced around the end of 2006 or early 2007.

Messages Page 2 of 2

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