This is one of the dyno rooms at the AMG's headquarters in Affalterbach, Germany. Strapped to the stand on this particular occasion was the 6.3-liter V8 headed for duty in the upcoming SLS gullwing coupe. It's expected to generate 571-horsepower and 507 pound-feet of torque when it goes into production early next year.
According to our editor on the scene, AMG puts all of its engines through a test procedure that includes 800 hours of wide-open throttle operation, pausing only to sample the oil and change dynamometer operators every 20 hours. Yes, that's over a month of full throttle operation before the engine is signed off. That should make anyone who drives an AMG vehicle a little less squeamish about hitting the redline every once in awhile.
canadia says:
08:56 AM, 06/30/09
That's a pretty impressive endurance test. It makes me wonder what other manufacturers subject their engines to.
felonious says:
09:26 AM, 06/30/09
Guess that obsoletes the break-in period too, eh? From purchase to redline in two seconds flat. :)
estreka says:
10:09 AM, 06/30/09
Look at those headers glow!
ctpax says:
11:23 AM, 06/30/09
the sight of professionals at work is sexy.
hondacura4 says:
03:56 PM, 06/30/09
Mercedes claims this 6.2L V8 is the most powerful normally aspirated production V8 in the world.
The Mercs hp/tq output is substantially more than the vaunted GM LS7 (505hp/470ftlb-7.0L V8) while having 8/10ths less displacement and weighing 1 lb less.
MB 6.2L DOHC V8 (M156): 439lbs - 571hp/507ftlbs
GM 7.0L OHV V8 (LS7): 440lbs - 505hp/470ftlbs
"According to our editor on the scene, AMG puts all of its engines through a test procedure that includes 800 hours of wide-open throttle operation, pausing only to sample the oil and change dynamometer operators every 20 hours."
This extreme level of testing somewhat helps validate the price of an AMG product.
church123 says:
09:08 PM, 06/30/09
But I can buy an LS7 for $15k brand new with an ECU, harness and the ability to drop it in just about any GM V8 vehicle made since time began. Price vs. performance. Plus, the LS7 picks up an easy 50-100 hp depending on which mods you want to buy. 600 hp on the engine dyno with cam and headers. Closing in on 600 whp with intake/header/exhaust/cam and tuning.
I'm not saying that the LS7 is better, more advanced, etc. Just saying its a hell of a value and surprisingly corked up from the factory. Just watch out for broken exhaust valves. Our customers running internally stock LS7s in road racing are keeping them under 6500 rpm if they don't upgrade valves (exhaust valves surprisingly).
bbechtel16 says:
05:59 AM, 07/ 1/09
Every engine?! That's impressive.
goaterguy says:
06:55 AM, 07/ 1/09
I believe they meant, "every engine they design" not every single engine put into every single car they sell.
It it stupid to beat an engine like that for every car they sell. You would be buying a very worn engine with your new car.
I don't know of any driver that would put 800 hrs on an engine at WOT.