Balancing power and economy is a tricky business, especially for Mercedes-Benz and its in-house performance division, AMG. On the one hand, a buyer’s conscience demands improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. But on the other, AMG knows what its customers really want is pure, unadulterated muscle.
Eventually, that dichotomy is expected to amount to the exclusive use of turbochargers across the AMG range, allowing the German automaker to reduce displacement while increasing output. But in the meantime, Affalterbach has found another solution: cylinder deactivation.
The latest AMG powerplant, labeled M152, is based closely on the M157 engine that already powers the new CL63 AMG and its four-door counterpart, the S63 AMG. What makes this engine different, first of all, is the removal of the twin turbochargers. It also makes use of a new air intake, cylinder heads, valve drive, oil system, crankcase and, most importantly, a Formula One-derived cylinder deactivation system that allows it to run – when so selected – on four pistons when conditions don’t require all eight.
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