The Mercedes-AMG C63’s controversial switch away from a bellowing V8 to a four-cylinder hybrid powertrain hasn’t been without its critics, but a new report suggests the mid-size sports sedan will soon get at least some of its cylinders back.
Autocar reports the facelifted C63 – due in 2026 – will ditch its turbocharged 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid powertrain in favour of a 3.0-litre six-cylinder plug-in hybrid layout, borrowed from existing AMG models such as the E53.
In the E53, the engine produces 330kW of power and 560Nm of torque, and is mated with a 120kW/480Nm electric motor integrated into the nine-speed automatic transmission, for total system outputs of up to 450kW and 750Nm.
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According to Autocar, the facelifted six-cylinder C63 would produce even greater outputs, given it would need to match or exceed the current four-cylinder’s 500kW and 1020Nm figures.
The previous-generation C63’s twin-turbo V8 was capable of punching out 375kW and 750Nm, but the car weighed about 400kg less than the current hybrid-four.
The publication claims the four-cylinder hybrid setup will also be removed from the GLC63, however, this won’t debut until 2027.
The British publication previously reported the C63 would return to V8 power in response to slower sales, but now Mercedes-AMG has reportedly confirmed the move to six-cylinder power.
Previous reports by Autocar have also claimed the CLE63 – a successor to both the C-Class and E-Class coupes and convertibles – will get a mild-hybrid flat-plane crank V8 next year, following negative feedback from customers about the C63’s four-cylinder switch.
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The C63’s four-cylinder engine -
The E53’s six-cylinder engine
Despite its coupe cousin getting V8 power, Mercedes-AMG sources told Autocar the C63’s platform doesn’t support a bent-eight engine.
“It requires more space, not just in terms of physical dimensions but also for associated cooling systems and crash protection measures,” the publication was reportedly told.
This is despite Austrian tuner Vuk Manufaktur doing just that, shoehorning the previous W205 C63’s twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 engine into the W206.
Likewise, the W206 C-Class is based on the same MRA2 platform as the new S-Class, which is also available with the M177 V8 engine that powered the previous C63.
Should the C63 get six-cylinder power, it’d be more closely aligned with its BMW M3 and Audi RS4 rivals, which have inline-six and V6 engines, respectively.
However, neither would boast the same ultimate outputs because they lack any kind of hybrid technology.
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