It’s the era of downsizing where being smaller and turbocharged is the new ‘in thing’ and it seems that everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon. One of the newer entrants into this party is German automaker Mercedes-Benz who according to reports is likely to close the door on two of its Titans; the twin turbo 5.5-litre V8 and the mighty SLS AMG supercar.
The twin turbo 5.5-litre V8 (codenamed M157) was introduced in 2011 and powers a variety of vehicles like CL-Class, E63AMG, CLS and the new S63 AMG that was unveiled in July this year. It replaced the bigger and naturally aspirated 6.3-litre mill that powers the SLS AMG and the current C63AMG.
A report from Carscoops suggests that this engine could be replaced by an even smaller 4.0-litre V8 that will be created from mating two units of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged mill that powers the A45 AMG, CLA45 AMG and obviously the GLA 45AMG. It is likely that engine will power the Porsche 911 rivalling upcoming SLC AMG.
The next bigwig to retire (if it is true) will be the SLS AMG. As we had said in the earlier paragraph it is expected to be replaced by the Porsche 911 and Jaguar XKR rivalling SLC AMG. The word among the German automotive media is that the production will stop in March of next year most probably in a bid to free up production capacity for SLC.
While many will mourn the loss of these two icons (as and when the go) , we should not be sad as Mercedes-Benz has always been a manufacturer will many tricks up its sleeve most of which produce some mind numbingly fast and powerful cars. If these two are anything to go by, then the new engine and car should be just as good as their predecessors.
Source: carscoops & worldcarfans
