Not long after announcing that it was moving and expanding production of its range-topping V12 engine, Mercedes-AMG has hinted that its V12 models could soon be available with AWD systems.
The chief executive of Mercedes-Benz’s performance brand Tobias Moers says that the company is remaining committed to its potent twin-turbocharged V12 engine despite increasingly strict emissions regulations.
Understandably, it will have to be improved to remain viable and popular and one of the planned ways of doing this will be mating it with an all-wheel drive system.
As it stands, the Mercedes-Benz G65 AMG is the only V12-powered all-wheel drive car in the German firm’s range. All other AMG products installed with this potent V12 come solely with rear-wheel drive. For example, the SL65 AMG and S65 AMG. Adding the option of all-wheel drive to these models will improve their versatility and help tap into previously niche markets while also attracting new customers.
Beyond its all-wheel drive V12 plans, Moers told Car and Driver that increasing the power gap between AMG’s twin-turbo V8s and its V12 is on the cards. As it stands, the 6.0-litre V12 delivers 621 hp which is only 44 hp more than the 577 hp offered in range-topping V8 models, like the S63 AMG. Consequently, we expect Mercedes-AMG to lift power from its V12 closer to the 650-700 hp mark.
PHOTO GALLERY
