Mercedes-Benz and AMG build the best engines

MANILA, Philippines - In the coveted “International Engine of the Year Awards 2009”, engines from Mercedes-Benz and AMG were voted the best in three categories. The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine carried off two awards: in the “Best Performance Engine” and “Above 4 liters” categories, this high-revving, naturally aspirated engine developing up to 386 kW/525 hp took first place by a wide margin in each case. In the “2 to 2.5 liters” category, the new four-cylinder diesel unit from Mercedes-Benz also took first place by a comfortable margin.

The “International Engine of the Year Awards” are among the most prestigious in the automobile sector, and are presented annually by the British motoring publisher UKIP Media & Events. The best engines of the year are chosen in twelve categories by an independent jury of 64 well-known motoring journalists from 32 countries. This year two engines from Mercedes-Benz and AMG prevailed against stiff competition from Germany, Italy, Great Britain, the USA and Japan. This once again demonstrates the great expertise of Mercedes-Benz and the performance brand AMG in the development and production of exciting engines.

For 2009 the winner in the “Best Performance Engine” and “Above 4 liters” categories was the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine. This high-revving, naturally aspirated power unit with a displacement of 6208 cc develops an output between 336 kW/457 hp and 386 kW/525 hp, a maximum torque of 630 newton metres, and is used in seven AMG high-performance cars such as the C 63 AMG and the SL 63 AMG. The basis for its agile power delivery is a concerted technology transfer from motor racing, something that has been firmly embedded in the corporate philosophy of Mercedes-AMG for more than four decades. Jury member Bill McKinnon (USA), “Enormous pulling power and the responsiveness of a racing engine, combined with a ‘Wagneresque’ soundtrack – this AMG V8 sets the standard.”

A high performance with exemplary fuel economy is also offered by the newly designed direct-injection four-cylinder diesel engine from Mercedes-Benz. The most powerful variant develops 150 kW/204 hp from a displacement of 2143 cc, with a maximum torque of 500 newton metres. It is used in both the new E-Class and the C-Class. The C 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Saloon equipped with this engine has a combined fuel consumption of just 5.1 litres per 100 kilometres – showing exemplary efficiency. The 125 kW/170 hp variant is happy with _4.8 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km (corresponding to CO2 emissions of 127 g/km) – the best figure in this category. Jury member John Carey (Australia) describes the engine as follows, “Effortless performance and an unbelievably low fuel consumption.”