- Mercedes-Benz has pulled the wraps off a new hybrid engine with emphasis on raw power
- The engine is the car maruis’ most powerful non-AMG V8 ever produced, packing 500-horsepower
- It powers the new US$80,000 2020 GLE 580 (its fastest mid-size SUV)
- With 483-horsepower, it tops Mercedes’ base-level AMG GT sports car
2020 is looking like it’s going to be a good year for Mercedes-Benz.
The car boffs in Germany have just unveiled a new hybrid engine that will go on to powere next year’s Mercedes GLE 580 mid-size SUV. What makes the engine so special? It’s the most powerful engine of all non-AMG-souped-up V8s in Merc’s current and future lineup.
Using a new electrically boosted V-8 engine, this GLE is capable of almost horsepower. Using a twin-turbo 4.0 litre engine, with a 48-volt motor-generator, the car will stand as an impressively powerful (especially when you consider this is a hybrid model).
Elsewhere, the car boasts an 184-lb-ft electric-assist system, along with a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Mounted between the nine-speed automatic transmission and the engine output shaft, the motor-generator replaces the alternator and traditional starter motor. It runs everything you’d expect, such as air conditioning and the water pump, without an accessory drive belt on the engine.
The car’s system can shut off the V8 engine at higher speeds, while coasting or braking to a stop at lower speeds. This allows the 0.9kWh battery to power the car as if it were a fully electric model.
All this high-tech hybrid tech doesn’t come cheap though. The GLE 580 will cost around US$80,000 – making it the most expensive of its category.
Although, all that cash does buy you a lovely leather interior, AMG Line exterior package, an adaptive air suspension system. The car is set to hit roads in the fall.
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