V8s will not die
Mercedes-Benz is ready for the inevitable shift from internal combustion to electrification and, already last year, announced its intention to become a fully electric manufacturer by 2030, with the first primary goal set for 2025. Despite these ideas, the German giant now appears to be backing off slightly by providing new hope to diehard fans of the AMG division.
Joerg Bartels, vice president of vehicle development, recently spoke to the editorial Carsales, revealing that there is still room for its V8 beyond 2030. The famous 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, still busy on the S-Class and G-Class and on a multitude of AMG products, could remain on the market. How come? Simple, Mercedes-Maybach, Mercedes-AMG and G-Class have all had record years in terms of sales. Mercedes only introduced the first electric AMG this year, so the sales figures reported by Mercedes still belong to the old V8s, capable of roaring, polluting and burning tires. Since the profit margins on these high-end models are high, it should come as no surprise that Mercedes will do its best to find a way around the legislation of various governments.
The current V8 on the market, used on the AMG GT 63 SE Performance combines the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with an electric drive unit on the rear axle, resulting in a combined output of 831 horsepower and 1,084 Nm of torque. A decidedly interesting solution for those looking for performance and driving dynamics at the same time.| ); }
Here Is What Happened To These Infamous Dictators' Cars
Although Stalin was praised for his efforts with the Allies to defeat Hitler, the rest of his career is more ignominious. He starved the people of Ukraine, and sent countless political foes to labor camps in Siberia (via Britannica and PBS). He kickstarted his country's industrial capacity on the backs of the workers, and nurtured a cult of personality, including renaming the city of Volgograd to Stalingrad. He was not a good person. But, he did like good American cars.
Before the split of ideologies turned into the Cold War, American auto manufacturer Packard sent 10 cars across the Atlantic to the pre-war Soviet Union, purchased by Stalin (per Auto Restorer). One such vehicle was a 1937 Packard Super 12, powered by a V12 as the name suggests. An elaborate, decadent, and luxurious car for its time, it is an appropriate car for heads of state, even those states where everyone is 'equal.'
The Packard Super 12 eventually made it back to the United States, where it ended up resting at a museum in Illinois. According to ABC Chicago, this car had been reported stolen from a museum in Bulgaria in 1992. The car was given to the prime minister of Bulgaria by Stalin and by 2013, Bulgaria wanted the car back, invoking a treaty to demand its return. It may still reside in Illinois, as no more information about it seems to be readily available.