Mercedes-AMG has officially confirmed that the controversial
four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain in the current
AMG C63 is being discontinued, marking the end of that engine era for the performance middata-size sedan. Here’s what it means for enthusiasts and the AMG lineup.
🔥 1. Farewell to the Four-Cylinder C63Mercedes-AMG CEO
Michael Schiebe has acknowledged that the four-cylinder turbo plug-in hybrid used in the AMG C63
will be phased out and replaced with a new powertrain. This move essentially ends the short-lived era of compact four-cylinder AMG flagship engines.
⚙️ 2. Hello, Inline-Six PowerInstead of the downdata-sized four-cylinder, Mercedes-AMG will introduce a
naturally aspirated inline-six engine in a new performance model — likely named
C53. This engine comes from the
AMG CLE 53 and uses a
3.0-liter turbo straight-six setup.
- Expected to produce 443 hp and 413 lb-ft (560 Nm) in its current form.
- AMG may even tune it for 500+ horsepower to keep performance exciting.
🔄 3. Why Mercedes Is Shifting GearsThe four-cylinder C63 didn’t resonate well with AMG’s traditional fan base — many drivers felt the smaller engine lacked the character, sound, and emotional appeal typical of AMG cars. CEO Schiebe admitted the company
overestimated customer acceptance of the four-cylinder setup.Additionally, compliance with
stringent upcoming Euro 7 emissions and noise regulations has made it harder to justify keeping the complex hybrid four-cylinder alive.
🚀 4. What Happens to the C63 Nameplate?Although the current four-cylinder C63 is being discontinued, Mercedes has
not ruled out a future return of the V-8-powered C63 down the road. A new
4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine — compliant with modern emissions rules — has already been confirmed for other AMG models and may eventually power future performance sedans.
🆕 5. What’s Next: The C53 & Beyond- The C53 with the straight-six will act as the new AMG performance C-Class — likely sitting between the regular C-Class and any future V-8 flagship.
- AMG’s lineup is pivoting back toward six- and eight-cylinder engines, balancing performance, sound, and compliance with emissions.
- Rumors suggest a revived V-8 C63 might still be in the works for future generations, but details are not yet official.
📊 What This Means for Fans✔ The four-cylinder experiment is ending after poor reception and regulatory challenges.
✔ AMG is refocusing on engines with more character —
straight-sixes and possibly revived V-8s.
✔ The replacement
C53 marks a fresh start for AMG’s compact performance sedan range.
📌 Bottom LineMercedes-AMG is bringing the
four-cylinder C63 era to a close and pivoting toward
inline-six power and potentially a return to V-8s as it adapts to shifting customer tastes and tightening regulations — a major shift for AMG’s iconic performance lineage.
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