Mercedes has increased the power output of its new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, which uses an electric turbo from 408 to 421 PS for the European market and from 402 to 416 HP for the U.S. market.
In April 2022, Mercedes was the first manufacturer to introduce a turbocharged engine with an electrically driven turbine into series production. Mercedes implemented the electric turbine on the M139 engine benefiting from its Formula 1 experience. This is one of the examples of technology transfer from Formula 1 to mass production.
The first model to receive this engine was the Mercedes-AMG SL 43 which developed 381 PS and 480 Nm. The engine was mated with a 48V mild hybrid system with an integrated 10 kW (14 PS) starter generator. The 48V electrical system provided the power for the starter-generator and the electric turbine.
A month later, Mercedes also fitted this engine in the new Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic where it developed 408 PS and 500 Nm. The engine was later available in the AMG GLC 43 4Matic.
Now, Mercedes has increased the power output of this engine for both the European and US market versions, with the mention that in the US the engine does not have a mild hybrid system.
Thus, in Europe, the Mercedes-AMG SL 43 4Matic, AMG C 43 4Matic, and GLC 43 4Matic now develop 421 PS instead of 381, respectively 408 PS while the torque has remained unchanged at 500 Nm. For the American market, the engine now has 416 HP instead of 402 HP before, while peak torque has remained unchanged at 369 lb-ft.
Thus, acceleration from 0-100 kph (0-60 mph) is quicker, with the Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic needing just 4.3 seconds compared to 4.6 seconds before. Prices remained unchanged at 84,246 euros in Europe and $62,500 in the USA. The big price difference is explained by the fact that in the USA there is no VAT, the US model has no mild hybrid and in Europe, the price is very likely to include emission penalties. The Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic has emissions of 203 g/km CO2 compared to the accepted fleet emission limit in Europe in 2024 of 106 g/km.
The electric turbine operating principle is based on the same technology used by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team. An electric motor about four centimeters thin is integrated directly into the turbine shaft between the turbine wheel on the exhaust side and the compressor wheel on the intake side. Electronically controlled, it directly drives the turbine shaft and thus accelerates the compressor wheel before the exhaust gas flow starts to drive it conventionally. This improves engine response from idle and throughout the rev range. The engine responds more spontaneously when the throttle is depressed and there is a substantial improvement in torque at low revs.
Operated by the 48V electrical system, the turbine functions up to 170,000 rpm and is linked with the engine’s cooling system to maintain optimum temperature in all operating conditions.
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