Mercedes-Benz_M120_engine
Mercedes-Benz M120 engine
Reciprocating internal combustion 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 is 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.