Auto Extreme

This was announced by the Mercedes-Benz’ high-performance division, AMG Chairman Volker Mornhinweg that AMG is goin green at the Geneva the night before 78th international auto show opened. But he also make it clear that that going fast while burning a few less hydrocarbons is on his mind.

Nowadays, technology has the ability to both improve the specific power output of an engine while also reducing its emissions. Such is the case with direct injection and running a fuel-cell or biodiesel-fueled four-banger. This is why the high-performance tuning arm of Mercedes Benz, AMG, has decided to implement it on their line of engines. Another possible performance-generating and emissions-reducing technology lies with the electric motor, which makes up half of a hybrid drivetrain. While the idea of an AMG hybrid may sound odd at first, remember that electric motors can offer up large quantities of torque just off idle, allowing engineers to make a free-breathing, high-RPM engine without sacrificing around-town drivability.

Specifically, Mornhinweg promised the high-performance cars will emit 30 percent less carbon dioxide by 2012 thanks to smaller, turbocharged engines, hybrid systems and diesels. It’s not known which of these, or if all, will be used to attain the goal.

The chairman did offer, however, some particulars. By 2010, AMG cars will feature direct-injection gas engines and systems that will shut off the engine when stopped thanks to an advanced and efficient starter-generator mounted to the crankshaft.

As part of a consortium with GM, Chrysler and BMW, Mercedes is developing a two-mode hybrid system that will allows cars to drive short distances on electricity alone. Once developed, AMG hopes to launch the technology on its CL, SL or CLS-based vehicles.

As for diesel, AMG is keeping an eye on it, citing North America may not be ready for a high-performance compression-ignition vehicle. “We are monitoring the diesel. There is currently no demand, but if that changes, we can react immediately,” Mornhinweg says. AMG will decide it will build its second diesel-powered model (it offered a C30 CDI back in 2003 in parts of Europe) by the end of 2008.

Another option hinted at involved turbocharged V6 engines, as turbo V8s are already near reality. Mercedes in developing a V-6 gasoline hybrid that will come to market in 2010. It will power the S-Class, and perhaps the E-Class, too. It has not been announced as a power source for the M or GL-Class SUVs, but neither would surprise us. Morningweg was quick to add, however, that “AMG’s hybrid would be based around a V-8,” so performance remains the primary object. Perhaps a super-torquey, hybrid V-8 would replace the heavy, thirsty, and expensive biturbo V-12 AMG installs in its top models.

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