2011 Mercedes S63 AMG 5.5 litre Biturbo revealed +video

The 2011 Mercedes S63 AMG get the new 5.5 Litre BiTurbo V8

Mercedes intend phasing out the much loved – and wonderfully linear – 6.2 litre, naturally aspirated V8 which graces AMG Mercedes models across the range, from C Class to S Class and E class to CL Class. Such a wonderfully exhilarating engine, it’s a real shame to see it bow out under the pressure of ridiculous CO2 and economy targets.

So the 2011 Mercedes S63 AMG gets a new engine. Still, it’s not as if Mercedes are dumping the 6.2 litre V8 and replacing it with an elastic band and a bunny rabbit on a wheel. Oh, no. They’re replacing it with a 5.5 litre Biturbo V8 which delivers something north of 500bhp – and something very north of 500bhp if you opt for the AMG Sports Package – which for a ‘Green’ replacement gets our vote.

It’s not just appealing because it’s an engine that can deliver more power – even if the power delivery may actually be more akin to the old supercharged AMG lump – it’s that it also gets a new ‘box to transfer that power to the wheels. Out goes the old slush-box (a bit unfair) with its old-fashioned, power-sapping torque converter and in comes the AMG Speedshift  MCT 7-speed ‘box from the SL63 AMG, which will help performance and economy.

Mercedes hasn’t given us any figures on the economy front, but the as the 2011 Mercedes CL63 AMG has recently had the same transplant - and as it weighs as much as a small star ship – we can probably use those figures as a pretty close guide. So expect combined economy to come in at 26.9mpg and CO2 of 244g/km. Unbelievable figures for a huge, Biturbo V8, but helped by stuff like Stop/Start and brake energy regeneration.

Yes, the Mercedes S Class is a bit of a merchant banker’s car; a victim of its own success, reliability, performance and status. But the 2011 Biturbo AMG S63 almost makes you wish you’d gone to work for Hambros.

Actually, I once did – in another life. But it was rather dull.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMPrGN_9t1A

By Cars UK