autoevolution
 

SLS AMG Facelift To Switch to Twin-Turbocharged V8

We should first offer you an errata, as a few weeks ago we were reporting that the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG will stop being produced from June 2014 in order to make room for the smaller C190 project, which is to be called the Mercedes-Benz GT.
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMg Facelift 7 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG FaceliftMercedes-Benz SLS AMG FaceliftMercedes-Benz SLS AMG FaceliftMercedes-Benz SLS AMG FaceliftMercedes-Benz SLS AMG FaceliftMercedes-Benz SLS AMG Facelift
As the following photos show, the SLS AMG is far from reaching retirement, with a mid-cycle facelift expected to arrive just as the series was expected by the peeps at MB Passion to end production completely.

Looking at the images and corroborating it with earlier intel, another bombshell is about to hit your screens – the legendary M159 engine is now living its final months.

As you can see from the closeups of the much increased side air intakes, they seem to be harboring a pair of intercoolers similar to other twin-turbocharged AMG models. Since the normally-aspirated 6.2-liter V8 doesn't need an intercooler, we can only speculate that the SLS AMG facelift will sport a twin-turbocharged engine instead of the M159.

The further thicken the plot, the new AMG boss Tobias Moers said that the upcoming S-Class AMG model range (Sedan, Coupe and Cabriolet) will be the last new Mercedes-Benz to feature the 5.5-liter M157 engine in their 63 AMG versions.

This can only mean that the new four-liter twin-turbocharged V8 – internally named M177 – is about to make its way under the SLS AMG's gargantuan hood as well, besides being used by the upcoming W205 C 63 AMG and the C190 GT.

Based on two conjoined M133s from the A/CLA/GLA 45 AMG, the new M177 is good for at least 700 hp with no major modifications while keeping its fuel consumption to the level of a V6 with 1/3 of the power.

In the “regular” SLS AMG we're expecting around 600 hp, with the GT version making 20-30 hp more and the Black Series around 700 hp. We can't wait to see, and most of all hear, the new V8 in action, because the M159 is a rather tough act to follow in the sound department.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Alex Oagana
Alex Oagana profile photo

Alex handled his first real steering wheel at the age of five (on a field) and started practicing "Scandinavian Flicks" at 14 (on non-public gravel roads). Following his time at the University of Journalism, he landed his first real job at the local franchise of Top Gear magazine a few years before Mircea (Panait). Not long after, Alex entered the New Media realm with the autoevolution.com project.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories