Mercedes-AMG’s new M178 V8, smaller but just as powerful and more efficient [+Video]



With the trend of car makers downsizing their engines in the name of efficiency, it’s not surprising that Mercedes-AMG is announcing their new smaller capacity engine for their future cars. The new engine codenamed M178 is ‘just’ 4.0-litre in capacity but thankfully retaining the eight-cylinder in ‘V’ configuration.

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The 90-degree V8 have something called a ‘hot inside V’. What it means is there are two turbochargers mounted inside the V instead of outside of the engine, making the whole package as compact as possible.

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Said to be related to the M133 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo, the new M178 has identical bore and stroke ratio of 83.0 x 92.0 mm. With forged aluminium pistons, cylinder heads made of zirconium alloy and NANOSLIDE® technology on the cylinder bore surface, the M178 is built to withstand rigorous use as it is intended. Speaking of which, the M178 will be hand-built like any other AMG engines with the “one man, one engine” principle.

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The M178 has direct petrol injection with spray-guided combustion, and an external engine oil cooler with a two-stage controlled oil pump that circulates the engine oil depending on the engine load to offer better fuel consumption. There’s also ECO start/stop function that further helps to save more fuel in the running. The engine will be mounted on active engine mounts for comfort and excellent lateral dynamics and the drive line’s torsional vibration is prevented by using two-mass flywheel with centrifugal pendulum that will ensure a smooth ride.

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The M178 has a dry weight of 209 kg, which Mercedes claims the lightest in its segment. The 3982 cc twin-turbo V8 is able to produce 503 hp at 6,250 rpm and 650 Nm of torque at 1,750 – 4,750 rpm. The engine is Euro 6 compliant, and said to sip fuel less than 10.0 l/100 km. For comparison, the M159 6.2-litre normally-aspirated V8 in the SLS AMG produces  571 hp at 6,800 rpm and 650 Nm of torque at 4,750 rpm, with fuel consumption of 13.2 l/ 100km.

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With the reduction in engine size that doesn’t mean the sound of the engine will be reduced as well, because there’s the sports exhaust system with variable exhaust flaps that will guarantee the proper V8 soundtrack depending on the drive mode and engine load. The M178 will debut in the highly-anticipated Mercedes-AMG GT supercar, which is reportedly to be revealed in September. Meanwhile have a listen to it and catch the glimpse of the Mercedes-AMG GT in the teaser video below!


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