The Mercedes 6.2-liter V8 engine called the M156 disappeared from the model program for the street cars in 2014. Now it is also over in the world of motorsport.
Mercedes-AMG is saying goodbye to the brand's last 6.2-liter V8 engine in its GT3 racing cars. The new AMG GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport presented at Monterey marks the end of an era.
The M156 engine, as the 6.2-liter V8 was originally called, and the torsump M159 variant have been used in AMG's racing cars for a decade, even after the option disappeared in the street cars.
And even as motorsport competitors switched to smaller, turbocharged engines, AMG stuck to the recipe for the big naturally aspirated engine.
The 130Y Motorsport Edition is the ultimate track car, but is not homologated for competition use and probably cannot be made street legal. Even so, all 13 examples produced have been reserved in advance at a price of 1 million euros each.
In the GT3 car, the V8 engine is not subject to restrictions. Without the usual limiter in the intake and with a specially built exhaust, the 130Y produces 680 hp at 7,250 rpm.
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The engine's torque is 729 Nm at 5,250 rpm. It is all transferred to the asphalt via a sequential 6-speed gearbox. AMG states that a new DRS system enables the Motorsport Edition to reach 322 km/h.
The car also received several and rather extensive aerodynamic upgrades. Downforce alone has increased by 15 percent thanks to a new design of the front splitter, wings, side skirts and diffuser.
The new DRS wing is wider than on the homologated race car to improve aerodynamic balance. AMG also states that the 130Y, with a weight of 1,275 kilograms, is lighter than a standard GT3 car.
thanks, among other things, to carbon fiber brakes, which are not allowed in the GT3 class. They measure 390mm (front) and 355mm (rear) and are tucked under 18" magnesium rims.
Additional motorsport specs include a four-way adjustable suspension, multi-level traction control and a cage made from carbon fiber. The petrol tank itself is 120 litres.
The look of this GT3 is inspired by the 1952 W194, the car that won the Carrera Panamericana race and competed in Le Mans. The interior is inspired by Juan Manuel Fangio's 1955 SLR 300 with brown leather neckrest and door straps, anodized walnut knobs and handles.
– The unique Mercedes-AMG GT3 Edition 130Y Motorsport is the crowning achievement of our current motorsport portfolio.
– It is not only strictly limited to 13 units. The car is also the last GT3 version with our iconic AMG 6.3-liter V8 engine without a turbo, says Christoph Sagemüller, head of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport.
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