Mercedes-AMG has shifted production of its 12-cylinder engine to a new facility within Daimler’s Mannheim works. But it’s not the V12 that has caused a rethink in production for AMG.
Growing global demand for the V8 engine has forced the reshuffle. As a result, technicians at the carmaker’s Affalterbach facility who were previously building V12s will now find themselves building V8s.
But while production of V12 bi-turbo may have moved, each V12 and V8 will continue to be hand-built under AMG’s “one man, one engine” policy.
"Due to the strong demand for our automobiles, our production capacities at the Affalterbach engine production facility are fully utilised," Mercedes-AMG’s Tobias Moers said.
"Supplying our customers as fast as possible is highly important to us. We do not have any possibilities for expansion in Affalterbach at present, so we have decided to transfer the assembly of the 12-cylinder engines to the Daimler site in Mannheim."
Production of the 12-cylinder engine at the new facility in Manheim begins in February next year, while ongoing development will continue to take place at Affalterbach.
The V12 is found in such models as the Mercedes-AMG S 65, S 65 Coupe, G 65 and SL 65, and AMG will soon supply a range of engines to Aston Martin.
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3 Comments
here comes the logic of downsizing and demand for EV etc. We want more V8
AMG V8's?? Don't see a problem here. Don't they sound wonderful! Is there a better engine architecture than the V8? I'd like to see V8's down to 2.4 litres for small cars. The V8 runs smoother than a V6. The V8 is more compact than a straight 6 and that pulls mass back away from the front axle. V engines lend themselves to twin turbo applications and turbos are flavour of the era due to the need for fuel efficiency. The one plus for the V6 is their 60 degree bank helps them fit into tighter confines. 90 degree V6's with offset crank pins - what an abortion! Ever seen a V8 that needs counter-balance shafts spinning at twice engine revs??? YUK!!
90 degree V6s... not as bad as Ford's 60 degree V4s!