Mercedes-Benz Might Keep V8 Alive Past 2030
Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz announced its goal of cutting CO2 emissions per car in half by 2030 with the help of electrification and other fuel-saving measures. The German automaker also aims to have an all-electric lineup from 2030 “where market conditions” allow it.
That means some parts of the globe will continue to get internal combustion engines in the next decade. And yes, that includes big, powerful V8 engines.
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In a recent interview with Car Sales, Mercedes-Benz vice president for vehicle development, Joerg Bartels, admitted that the V8 could survive past 2030.
“In the end it has to fulfill our overall CO2 strategy, and we have a clear path on that one: being CO2 neutral at the end of the ’30s, by 2039. And from 2030 we just want to be pure electric,” he said. “But if there’s still a customer demand [for gasoline V8s] in some regions, and it’s still part of our offering, why should we stop it?”
Bartels cautioned that “it all depends on the emissions regulations” and that the technical solutions required to comply with those regulations will come at a cost many consumers may not be willing to pay for.
One thing’s for sure, if Mercedes-Benz keeps offering V8 engines in the next decade, availability and production will be pretty limited. Right now, you can find them in G-Class, GLE-Class and GLS-Class SUVs as well as E-Class, S-Class and SL-Class cars, not to mention the AMG GT 4-Door Coupe. The upcoming Mercedes-AMG C 63 compact sedan will ditch the V8 in favour of a turbocharged four-cylinder with hybrid technology.
Canada is preparing to ban sales of gas-only light-duty vehicles in 2035.