Report: Mercedes-AMG C63 to lose four-cylinder engine, won’t be replaced with V8
Words: Andrew Sluys
Mercedes-AMG’s iconic C63 sedan will lose its controversial four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain this year, but it doesn’t sound like the V8 is coming back.
Michael Schiebe, CEO of Mercedes-AMG spoke about the vehicle’s future in a recent interview with Edmunds.
During this interview, Schiebe confirmed the C63 sedan will essentially be replaced with a four-door version of the CLE53 coupe.
“We’re taking the combustion engine from the CLE 53. No hybrid engine — pure inline six-cylinder,” he said.
Though he describes this powerplant as “pure”, in the C53 it still pairs a mild hybrid system with the petrol engine, but it’s nowhere near as electrified as the current C63.
The CLE53 currently uses a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine, making 330kW and 600Nm of torque. It’s paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to all four wheels.
The CLE53 will complete the 0-100km/h sprint in four seconds, which is over half a second slower than the current four-cylinder C63.
It is likely this engine will be tuned to produce more power and torque when it eventually lands in the C63.
Despite facing criticism as soon as Mercedes announced plans to replace the V8 with a plug-in hybrid four-cylinder engine, Schiebe claims this decision came down to meeting emission regulations, instead of appeasing the public.
He claims the current plug-in hybrid powertrain in the C63 will not be able to meet Euro 7 regulations.
Considering the new C-Class is set to be revealed in the coming months, we can expect to see this new AMG version in the second half of 2026.
