- The AMG C63 facelift is expected to come equipped with a new plug-in hybrid system featuring a six-cylinder engine.
- It would take the place of the present turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which generates a total output of 671 horsepower.
- Sources indicated that reverting to V8 engines was not possible because such a switch would necessitate substantial modifications.
The days of a vehicle equipped with a V8 engine Mercedes C-Class have become part of the past now that the latest C63 S E Performance model has adopted an environmentally friendly plug-in hybrid setup. This new iteration features a supercharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine, along with an electric motor positioned at the rear axle. It also includes a 6.1 kWh lithium-ion battery and employs a 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive configuration for enhanced performance.
Even though this provides the vehicle with a remarkable total power output of 671 hp (500 kW / 680 PS) and 752 lb-ft (1,018 Nm) of torque, it's challenging to feel enthusiastic about a motor with just four cylinders. AMG The car begins at $86,050. Sales have apparently fallen short of projections, trailing significantly below anticipated levels.
More: The Mercedes-AMG C63 S Reemerges as a 671-HP Plug-in Hybrid, Proving Four Cylinders Are More Than Adequate
To address the issue, Mercedes is apparently phasing out the 2.0-liter engine and introducing a new twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six instead. This configuration mirrors that of several other vehicles such as the E53, though it’s said to deliver significantly greater power output in this particular model.
Interestingly, that could be far from the only alteration. Autocar The updated C63 may replace its rear-mounted motor with one integrated between the engine and gearbox. This change might reduce overall power output; however, specifics remain unclear. The source suggests that the new setup should produce over 650 horsepower (485 kilowatts/659PS) and 650 pound-feet (881 Newton-meters) of torque.
The engine replacement is expected to take place during next year’s refresh, and this new powerplant is also scheduled to appear in the 2027 GLC 63 model. Although "six" cylinders might sound better than "four," enthusiasts were probably anticipating the comeback of a V8 engine.
Sadly for them, packaging limitations apparently made the twin-turbo 4.0-liter engine unachievable for use in the C-Class. Specifically, according to a quoted source, the V8 would necessitate "substantial structural modifications" along with "a new series of collision tests and regulatory approvals." This presents quite a challenge, particularly since the fifth-generation C-Class was introduced more than four years ago, and its replacement may not be very distant.
Nevertheless, not everything is hopeless since the upcoming CLE 63 lineup is set to feature a flat-plane-crank twin-turbocharged V8 engine.
