Review: A Farewell To AMG’s Atmo V8
Who would say no to the chance to put two thundering Mercedes-Benz AMGs back-to-back on the Albert Park GP circuit during Formula One week? (Not us... thought about it for a nano-second, pulled on the driving boots.)
One, the C 63 AMG Edition 507, and two, its turbocharged bigger brother, the E 63 AMG S.
But there was more significance to this than meets the eye. And it has to do with a big shift going on at the hi-po end of engine technologies.
This Sunday, the front straight at Albert Park will explode with the sound of turbocharged V6 engines - the first time turbochargers have been on a Formula One grid since 1988.
And as last season’s 2.4 litre naturally-aspirated V8s pass the baton to the new generation of 1.5 litre turbo V6s in Formula One, there are similar developments happening in the realm of road cars.
Turbocharging is making a big comeback. The reason? Manufacturers are trying to keep outputs high while simultaneously reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.
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