New MB E 55 AMG - In Depth

Press Release

New MB E 55 AMG - In Depth

Motor racing expertise is channelled into engine construction One of the technical highlights of this highly sophisticated supercharged AMG engine is the mechanical charger positioned between the cylinder banks, which exerts a maximum 0.9 bar pressure on the 5.5-l eight-cylinder engine. Inside the compact supercharger, two Teflon-coated aluminium shafts rotate at a maximum of 23,000 revs per minute, pushing 1850 kilograms of air per hour into the eight combustion chambers. The scroll compressor is not permanently running and is only activated at a certain engine speed and load condition. The engine electronics send the command to an electromagnetic coupling, which immediately switches on the compressor by means of a separate poly-V-belt. The system has two advantages: on the one hand, it means that the compressor can be activated in a split-second and the driver’s acceleration command implemented directly and without delay, and on the other, the engine consumes less fuel in part-throttle operation when the compressor is not in use. Efficient intercooling with a low-temperature circuit Integrated into the compact charger module is the engine-mounted intercooler, which works according to the extremely effective principle of an air/water heat exchanger. The air compacted by the compressor is channelled along to a water source, which flows in a separate circuit from the engine coolant. In this way, the air can be cooled before it enters the eight combustion chambers – the supercharged eight-cylinder powerpack makes maximum power and torque available at all times, regardless of the air temperature outside. The low-temperature circuit is integrated into the cooling module along with the engine radiator and the air conditioning condenser, whilst the large air inlet in the AMG front apron ensures optimum air flow through the vehicle. The power of the engine radiator’s 850-watt intake suction fan has been boosted to take into account the increased cooling requirement of the AMG supercharged V8 engine. The engine’s oil cooling is also more efficient. In the E 55 AMG’s right-hand wheel arch is a separate oil cooler, which is supplied with cooling fresh air by the front apron, whilst a fan is also activated if necessary. Motor racing expertise is channelled into engine construction The wealth of experience built up by Mercedes-AMG engineers in motorsport and the construction and development of high-performance engines came in useful with the supercharged V8 engine which powers the E 55 AMG. The following components had to be newly constructed:

• the crankcase has been reinforced with special stiffening ribs and side bolts.
• the crankshaft is precision balanced. Modified bearings and a more resistant material have been used to take into account the high torque of the supercharged engine. The stroke has been extended from 84 to 92 millimetres.
• the pistons are made of a special, extremely temperature and pressure resistant material and enjoy the benefit of oil injection cooling.
• the connecting rods are forged and their bearings made of extremely durable materials.
• the oil supply, with sump, catch tray and more efficient pump, was subjected to thorough modifications.
• the cylinder heads, of which the inlet and outlet ducts have been optimised to take into account the increased air mass flow.
• the camshafts have extended valve opening times, which improves the fuel supply to the combustion chambers.
• the valve train has a twin spring assembly, which allows the rated engine speed to be increased from 5600 to 6100 rpm.
• the engine electronics take on additional tasks in the AMG engine, such as the logic-controlled activation of the compressor.

The most important engine and performance data at a glance: New fuel supply and advanced AMG sports exhaust The fuel system and exhaust of the E 55 AMG have been redesigned, as well as the engine and cooling systems. Two highly efficient fuel pumps integrated into the fuel tank ensure reliable fuel supply in any driving situation. The twin-pipe AMG sports exhaust with switchover valve is a feast for the eyes with its twin chromed tailpipes sporting the AMG logo – and music to the ears with its sonorous purr. The generous 70-millimetre tailpipe diameter leads to reduced exhaust gas backpressure, whilst two underhood thin-walled firewall catalytic converters, four metal catalytic converters on the vehicle floor, plus a total of four oxygen sensors ensure effective emission control. This cutting-edge technology allows the E 55 AMG to meet the strict EU4 standards well ahead of their implementation deadline of 2005. One man, one engine – an AMG badge sets the seal on the manufacturing process The AMG supercharged V8 engine at the heart of the Mercedes-Benz E 55 AMG is painstakingly handcrafted at the new engine factory. A �one man, one engine� philosophy dictates that a single engineer at the Affalterbach engine factory is responsible for the complete assembly of an AMG high-performance engine. A special badge on the supercharger module of the AMG supercharged V8 engine bears the engineer’s signature, setting the seal on a piece of quality workmanship. AMG SPEEDSHIFT and Formula 1-style steering wheel gearshift The E 55 AMG is equipped with an AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission, which adapts itself to the driving style – be it dynamic or more laid-back. In the manual mode �M� the driver can change gear using the buttons on the steering wheel, rather like in a Formula 1 racing car. The right-hand button behind the steering wheel spoke is pressed to shift up a gear, the left-hand button to change down. When the rated engine speed is reached the transmission automatically shifts into the next gear up, and when the car comes to a halt first gear is selected. The gear engaged is always shown clearly for the driver on the display in the AMG instrument cluster. The transmission also has a number of other special technical features. For example, if the driver nudges the selector lever to the left, AMG SPEEDSHIFT immediately selects the best gear – according to the speed of the car and the engine map – to deliver powerful acceleration. In the same way, the transmission automatically changes down to the right gear for the situation in hand when a certain deceleration point is reached. When cornering at speed, however, the transmission remains reliably in the gear already engaged, avoiding the possibility of any load alteration effect. In addition, torque converter lock-up from first gear and significantly smoother – and as much as 35 percent faster – gear-change ensure outstanding driving dynamics. �M�, �S� and �C� modes for an individual driving style AMG SPEEDSHIFT features the familiar Touchshift system, which allows manual gear-shift, if desired. The driver uses the selector level to change gear in the �M� driving mode, whilst in �S� (Standard) the automatic transmission takes full charge. The �C� (Comfort) mode, where the transmission shifts up through the gears earlier and back down later, enhances a more relaxed driving style.