| Mercedes-Benz M120 engine | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz |
| Layout | |
| Configuration | Naturally aspirated 60° V12 |
| Displacement |
|
| Cylinder bore | 89 mm (3.5 in) 91 mm (3.6 in) 91.5 mm (3.60 in) |
| Piston stroke | 80.2 mm (3.16 in) 90.4 mm (3.56 in) 92.4 mm (3.64 in) |
| Cylinder block material | Aluminium, Alusil bores |
| Cylinder head material | Aluminium |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 4 valves x cyl. |
| Combustion | |
| Fuel system | Sequential fuel injection |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Cooling system | Water cooled |
| Output | |
| Power output | 394–850 PS (290–625 kW; 389–838 hp) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Mercedes-Benz M154 engine |
| Successor | Mercedes-Benz M137 engine |
The Mercedes-Benz M120 engine is a naturally aspirated high-performance automobile piston V12 engine family used in the 1990s and 2000s in Mercedes' flagship models. The engine was a response to BMW's M70 V12 engine, introduced in 1987. While the 5-litre BMW unit developed 300 metric horsepower (220 kW), Mercedes-Benz upped the ante considerably by creating a 6-litre, 300-kilowatt (408 PS) engine.[1]
The M120 family was built in Stuttgart, Germany. It has an aluminium engine block lined with silicon/aluminium. The aluminium DOHC cylinder heads are 4 valves per cylinder designs. It uses sequential fuel injection (SFI) and features forged steel connecting rods.
The M120 was eventually replaced by the smaller (5.8 litres), lesser-powered, short-lived, SOHC, three valves per cylinder M137 V12 engine. Mercedes ceased production of the M120 because of new emission rules.
- ^ Dackevall, Gunnar (1991-04-04). "Rött är rätt" [Red is Right]. Teknikens Värld (in Swedish). Vol. 43, no. 7. Stockholm, Sweden: Specialtidningsförlaget AB. p. 60.