DESPITE copping “push again” from potential clients over the demise of V8 ICE energy within the Mercedes-AMG C63, the ‘Benz efficiency arm is about to launch a turbo four-cylinder AMG C63 SE Efficiency hybrid sedan, doubtlessly right here in January subsequent 12 months priced from $187,900 excluding on roads.
Mercedes-AMG says the two.0-litre newcomer is a “sport changer” which is one thing of an understatement if you suppose this specific mannequin has been a V8 for years, by means of a number of generations, and was liable for lifting the AMG title to new heights.
Simply how a 4 banger C63 will go sales-wise stays to be seen however if you drill down and take a look at the specs, it could possibly be all good particularly given the mannequin’s prodigious output from a PHEV powertrain combo that groups ICE with a 400V gentle hybrid Electrical Drive Unit (EDU) on the rear axle.
Mercedes-AMG payments the C63 SE Efficiency because the world’s strongest four-cylinder manufacturing engine that delivers “a very new driving expertise”.
Including veracity to the assertion is the automotive’s 500kW of energy and 1020Nm of torque that has technical hyperlinks transferred from Mercedes-AMG’s involvement in Method 1. The brand new C63 is claimed to be able to accelerating from 0-100 km/h in a scant 3.4 seconds and nonetheless supply full electrical drive functionality for as much as 15km.
It options as customary, lively rear-axle steering for the primary time in a C63 mannequin, together with a selectable Drift Mode. That is along with totally variable AMG Efficiency 4Matic+ all-wheel drive.
Already adept at producing excessive output 2.0-litre combustion four-cylinder engines, the brand new C63 SE Efficiency ratchets the whole lot as much as ship an astonishing 176kW per litre particular output… in a (handmade) manufacturing engine.
Mounted longitudinally within the engine bay, it’s mentioned to staff seamlessly with the highly effective two-speed electrical motor down the again for a 50:50 front-rear stability.
An on-board battery can retailer recuperated power and draw electrical energy from an exterior charger by way of an on-board charging port offering an additional stage of comfort. The high-performance battery weighs a mere 89kg and may contribute a steady output of 70kW and peak output of 150kW for as much as 10 seconds.
AMG developed the battery for quick energy supply and draw, relatively than the longest doable electrical driving vary however as already talked about, it could actually propel the automotive as an EV for as much as 15km.
Digging a bit deeper into the F1 tech utilized to the automotive we discover in its improvement part, there was a full of life trade of professional information between the Excessive Efficiency Powertrains (HPP) engine store of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 staff in Brixworth, UK, and Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach, Germany.
The collaboration yields energy supply and torque build-up within the new C63 that happen spontaneously and immediately. As within the F1 race automotive, the electrical assist of an exhaust gasoline turbocharger eliminates turbo lag from the combustion engine, whereas the EDU pushes powerfully from a standstill.
Additionally from F1, most propulsion is all the time obtainable when the driving force calls for it by kick down – for punching out of bends or when overtaking. The electrical energy can all the time be known as up and continuously reproduced, by way of excessive recuperation efficiency and needs-based recharging.
A battery idea particularly developed for the mannequin permits optimum compromise between most driving dynamics and effectivity.
The automated two-speed transmission working on the EDU on the rear axle has a specifically calibrated gear ratio to make sure excessive wheel torque will be utilized for agile beginning, whereas secure steady output will also be achieved at increased speeds. An electrical actuator engages second gear at round 140km/h on the newest, which corresponds to the electrical motor’s most velocity of roughly 13,500rpm.
The electrical exhaust gasoline turbo charger was specifically developed by Mercedes-AMG and insignificantly improves the responsiveness of the combustion engine immediately from idle velocity, and throughout your complete rev vary, with spontaneous response to accelerator pedal enter and a considerably extra dynamic driving really feel.
The electrified turbocharger permits increased torque at low revs, rising “agility” and optimising acceleration from a standstill. The system maintains increase strain even when the driving force takes their foot off the accelerator or brakes.
The 400V on-board electrical system permits the turbo to spin at as much as 150,000rpm whereas the battery utilises an progressive battery cooling system with direct cooling of the cells. A high-tech coolant based mostly on an electrically non-conductive liquid flows round all 560 cells and cools them individually. To realize this, AMG specialists developed new cooling modules which are mere millimetres skinny.
It leads to a constant, optimum battery working temperature averaging 45°C, irrespective of how typically it’s charged or discharged. The system permits cells with a really excessive energy density, in addition to making the battery system itself to be significantly mild and compact.
The “stability” of the battery system helps to optimise power recuperation throughout deceleration, which is selectable in 4 levels starting from minimal intervention with low-level recuperation, to most power restoration with the choice of “one-pedal driving”, throughout which as a lot as 100kW of energy will be fed again into the battery.
Technical managing director at Mercedes-AMG GmbH Jochen Hermann mentioned the brand new C63 SE Efficiency is “a technological masterpiece” with its progressive method.
“The electrified powertrain provides a complete new driving expertise,” he mentioned.
“The fast response of the electrical drive on the rear axle, the fast torque build-up in addition to the quick energy output and likewise draw of our battery, are very particular options. Add to this the standard-fit rear-axle steering and totally variable all-wheel drive, and the brand new C63 illustrates the excessive stage of technical experience that AMG possesses.”
And in relation to the hallmark C63 exhaust word, Mercedes-AMG has created an “genuine” AMG sound expertise for car inhabitants, utilizing the precise sound of the combustion engine recorded by way of a strain sensor within the exhaust system and enriched earlier than it’s piped to the inside by way of the leisure sound system.
The sound signature can be modulated by way of exterior loudspeakers.
GoAuto will present extra data and drive impressions on the fashions launch subsequent 12 months.
