Mercedes has announced the first details about the electric turbo eATL of the future Mercedes-AMG C 63 model.
It is now official. The future Mercedes-AMG C 63 gives up the 4-liter twin-turbo V8 engine in favor of a 4-cylinder turbo from the A 45 AMG that receives an eATL electric turbo and a Plug-In Hybrid system.
The future Mercedes-AMG C 63 will be powered by a PHEV system consisting of the AMG 2-liter M139 turbo engine with over 330 kW (over 449 HP) from the A 45 which receives an eATL electrically driven turbo and an electric motor with maximum power of 150 kW (204 HP) for a short duration of up to 10 seconds (continuous power 70 kW). This means that the future AMG C 63 will develop up to 480 kW or 653 HP for a short period of time compared to 510 HP for the current AMG C 63 with the 4.0 liter bi-turbo V8 engine.
The electric motor drives the rear axle by means of a two-speed gearbox and a limited slip differential.
The electric turbo eATL use the principle of MGU-H from Formula 1
But let’s take a closer look at the great innovation called eATL or the electric turbo. This is the first time a production vehicle has received an electrically driven turbo. The technology comes from Formula 1 where engineers call it MGU-H (Motor Generator Unit Heat). The identical system already powers the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE hypercar.
How does it work? In the conventional turbo, a small exhaust turbo drives a small compressor that creates an overpressure for the fresh air introduced into the cylinders. Therefore, there is always a small turbo lag. All the solutions so far have not managed to cancel the turbo lag, but only to reduce it. In this regard, we mention the cascading supercharging solution used by BMW on the diesel engine.
What did Mercedes do? Mercedes placed a small disc-shaped electric motor, only 4 cm thick, on the shaft that connects the turbine wheel to that of the compressor. It features electronic control and it drives the turbine wheel by accelerating the compressor wheel. This takes place BEFORE the exhaust gases drives the turbine.
Thus, the engine responds instantly when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal. A higher torque at low speed can also be achieved compared to an engine without an electrified turbine. Even when the driver takes their foot off the accelerator or applies the brakes, the technology of the electric turbocharger is able to maintain the boost pressure at all times, so that a continuous direct response is ensured.
The electric turbine is powered by a 48V network and rotates at up to 156,000 rpm.
The engine also has an integrated belt-driven starter generator that produces 10 kW (14 HP).
The target was a high-performance sport car and not a long electric range
The battery does not have a large capacity, having only 6.1 kWh. Being a sports model, Mercedes did not want to use a high capacity battery that would have been very heavy. The main objective of the Plug-In Hybrid system was not to obtain a very high electrical range but the performance of the Plug-In Hybrid system.
Thus, the battery weighs only 89 kg, but Mercedes promises that thanks to a direct cooling system the battery has an energy density of 1.7 W/kg.
Therefore, we estimate that the future AMG C 63 will have an electric range of up to 20 km. Currently, in Germany, there are bonuses for the purchase of PHEV models that have a range of at least 40 km and from 2022, at least 60 km.
The AMG C 63 will have six drive programs: Electric, Comfort, Sport, Sport +, Race and Individual. Separately, AMG Dynamics determines how the vehicle should react.
AMG Dynamics basic is assigned to Comfort and Electric programs. Advanced engages in the Sport program, while Pro is on in the Sport + and Master in the race program. In the Individual mode, the driver can set the AMG Dynamics levels Basic, Advanced, Pro and Master.
The driver can also select four degrees of energy recovery from the right-hand AMG steering wheel button. These are level 0, 1, 2 and 3.
