Big news from Affalterbach!
While other brands have unleashed funny ads for April Fools Day, Mercedes-AMG is hard at work building an electric future. The latest press release from the high-performance brand outlines how they will integrate batteries into the lineup.
Instead of incorporating a hybrid drive into their 9-speed automatic transmissions, they have unleashed a brilliant solution. A new rear differential will contain the motor/generator and a 2-speed gearset. Powered by a 6.1 kWh battery, it can add 201 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque at an instant. When combined with their 4-liter twin turbo, the system offers a total output of 804 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. When you stop and consider how many models use this V8, it could potentially be found in everything from the G-wagen to the Aston Martin Vantage.
For those who don’t need supercar power, the same drive unit will be offered with their 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This one will borrow the electric boost technologies perfected in Formula 1 for better throttle response than the V8. This allows the 442 horsepower engine to be coupled with the electric differential to offer 643 horsepower in the next C-Class.
The final part of the trifecta is AMG’s dive into all-electric propulsion. With the impending arrival of the EQS sedan, the performance model is coming shortly after. Their goal is to offer the same performance as the 4-liter V8 cars currently in production. They also offered the first interior shot of the EQS focused around the massive display screen. The Project ONE is still coming, so stay with us for all your Mercedes-AMG news.
Images (C) Daimler