Mercedes-AMG V12s to get all-wheel drive

Mercedes-AMG’s boss, Tobias Moers, has announced that next-generation AMG twin-turbo V12 engines will come with all-wheel drive and feature a bigger step in power over the current range of AMG V8s.

Speaking to US magazine, Car and Driver, Moers confirmed that the V12 AMG engine will live on despite pressures to downsize and, that in the future, the large capacity twin-turbo engine will come with all-wheel drive and a “meaningful power gap between the V8 and V12” says Car and Driver.

“We know what needs to be done to keep it [compelling],” Moers told the US mag.

As well as the news about the more powerful, all-wheel drive V12s, Moers also spilled the beans on the soon-to-be-launched E63 AMG confirming that the next-gen super sedan would “make the biggest leap ever” over its predecessor.

Moers said, not only will the big sedan come with an all-new AMG Speedshift nine-speed automatic transmission - that’s far quicker than the current seven-speed ‘box, the E63 would also gain a development of the electronically controlled limited slip differential from the C63 S.

The AMG boss also dropped heavy hints to Car and Driver that a C63 AMG convertible is in development.

Moers also announced his desire to evolve the AMG GT into a family of supercars. Expect more powerful versions, like a hardcore GT3 and roadster to follow soon.