Mercedes-Benz M279 engine explained

Mercedes-Benz M277/M279
Manufacturer:Mercedes-Benz
Production:2012 – present
Predecessor:Mercedes-Benz M275
Configuration:60° V12
Displacement:5980cc
Bore:82.6mm
Stroke:93mm
Block:Aluminium alloy
Head:Aluminium alloy
Valvetrain:SOHC 3 valves x cyl. with VVT
Compression:9.0:1
Turbocharger:Twin-turbo
Fuelsystem:Port injection
Fueltype:Gasoline
Coolingsystem:Water cooled
Power:NaN0NaN0
Torque:NaN0NaN0
Weight:2460NaN0

The M279 and M277 are a series of twin-turbocharged V12 engines produced by Mercedes-Benz. It was launched in 2012 with the R231 SL65 AMG.[1]

Design

The M279 is based on the previous generation M275 engine, but has been extensively revised.[2] It now features port injection, larger turbochargers, changes to the valvetrain timing, and a new exhaust system for improved efficiency and emissions.[3] The M279 also uses single overhead camshafts with 3 valves per cylinder, and has an identical bore and stroke compared to before.[4]

M277/M279

In 2012, Mercedes-Benz delivered all the rights of V12 engine development to AMG for future V12-model vehicles.[5] Starting the 2014 model year, M279 has been extensively redesigned and updated their top-of-the-range V12 engine to better conform to increasing emission standards in Europe and the United States. Despite the basic design being more than 16 years old (M137), the new engine has enough modifications and sporting character that the engineers felt it warranted a new engine designation. According to Mercedes-Benz, the most important features of the new engine are:

- Increased displacement to 5980cc
- New forged pistons and forged crankshaft in high-grade quenched, tempered steel
- New Engine Control Unit
- New Ignition system
- New Camshafts
- Hollow-stem sodium outlet valves
- Low-temperature cooling-water circulation system with separate expansion reservoir.[6]

With these modifications and the addition of Mercedes-Benz's 7G-Tronic transmission on the V12 models, it is estimated that fuel economy will rise about 21% on the European cycle for the large-bodied Mercedes vehicles. Power is now at 5300NaN0 and torque figures stay the same as the predecessor at 8300NaN0.

Applications:

M279 AMG

The M279 AMG is based on the new and comprehensively revised M279 engine series, specially tuned for AMG 65 and Maybach 650 models. In addition to that engine's updates from the previous M275, M279 utilizes new turbochargers with an increased spiral cross-section, new exhaust manifolds, new wastegate ducts, and new cylinder heads with optimized flow characteristics to increase the engine output to 6300NaN0 and still 10000NaN0 of torque. The multi-spark ignition with twelve double ignition coils and a new higher performing engine management system not only results in smoother running, but also enables even more effective combustion. The effects of this is a reduction of exhaust emissions, which is also due in large extent to the optimized catalytic converter system. The newly developed AMG sports exhaust system, which has a pipe layout with enhanced flow characteristics and only equipped in the AMG models, is 3.2kg (07.1lb) lighter as a result of a reduction in the wall thickness. For the first time in a Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicle, the V12 is mated to a 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system in the 2021 Maybach S 680.

Applications:

Models

EnginePowerTorqueYears
M277 E60 LA3900NaN0
@ 4,900–5,300 rpm
8300NaN0
@ 1,900–4,000 rpm
2014–2019
M279 E60 LA4500NaN0
@ 4,300–5,600 rpm
10000NaN0
@ 2,300–4,300 rpm
2012–
4630NaN0
@ 4,800–5,400 rpm
10000NaN0
@ 2,300–4,300 rpm
4500NaN0
@ 4,300–5,600 rpm
9000NaN0
@ 2,300–4,300 rpm
2021–

M277 E60 LA (390 kW version)

M279 E60 LA (450 kW version)

M279 E60 LA (463 kW version)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG. MotorTrend. 20 March 2012 . 2018-07-03.
  2. Web site: Introduction of the New V12 Biturbo Engine M 279 AMG. autocats.ws. 2018-07-03.
  3. News: 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG. 2012-04-04. Road & Track. 2018-07-03. en-US.
  4. Web site: MY14 SL-Class Specifications. mbusa.com. 2018-07-03.
  5. Web site: Mercedes-Benz handing off all V12 development to AMG. 22 August 2012.
  6. Web site: The New Mercedes-Benz M277 V12 in the S 600 at a Glance. 13 January 2014.
  7. Web site: Mercedes-Benz Car Configurator.
  8. News: FIRST DRIVE: Merc's monster S600 L, S65 AMG. Wheels. 2018-07-03. en.
  9. News: Future Strategy For Mercedes V-12 Engines Lies With AMG. Motor Authority. 2018-07-03. en.
  10. News: Mercedes S600 is a twin-turbo V12 limo. 2014-01-14. Top Gear. 2018-07-03. en.
  11. News: Mercedes-Benz Talks AMG Future, Celebrates 45 Years Of Performance Brand. Motor Authority. 2018-07-03. en.
  12. News: 2013 Mercedes SL65 AMG @ Top Speed. Top Speed. 2018-07-03. en-US.
  13. News: Mercedes-AMG S65 cabriolet revealed. Kable. Greg. 2016-10-03. Drive. 2018-07-03. en-US.
  14. News: Get Ready To Say Goodbye To Mercedes-AMG Using V12 Engines. Motor1.com. 2018-07-03. en.
  15. News: 2017 Mercedes-AMG S65 Cabriolet Revealed!. Car and Driver. 2018-07-03. en.