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Okay, so Mercedes-Benz made a bad choice going four-cylinder hybrid with its iconic super sedan. The C63 S E Performance might be a performance monster, pushing 671 horsepower through its overachieving powertrain, and it might have enough torque to tow an aircraft carrier. But it turns out AMG buyers want a bit more pomp and circumstance from the top-spec model, and that only happens with eight cylinders.
Also, there's the whole problem of the four-pot not being able to meet upcoming European regulations. It's a neat exit strategy for Mercedes to save a little bit of face, pointing to regs as the reason for the four-cylinder's demise. But enthusiasts and the automaker know typical AMG buyers were decidedly not thrilled with the hybrid. So the big question is: when will a new C63 – and its larger E63 sibling – arrive?
The short answer? When a new V8 is ready for the task. The longer answer, as you might suspect, is a bit more complicated, and way more open-ended.
A 'Sophisticated' New V8
Doesn't Mercedes already have a new V8? That depends on what you consider new. The German brand introduced the M 177 Evo engine earlier this year. As the name suggests, it's an evolved version of the company's stalwart 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that, among other changes, has a new flat-plane crankshaft. It launched in the 2027 S-Class, where Mercedes described it not as a pulse-pounding performance engine, but one that's more refined – albeit with 530 hp.
That certainly fits the role of the flagship S-Class, but Road & Track reports the company isn't ready to just plug-and-play with that engine in a new C63. "First, we have to make sure we have a very nice and sophisticated V8," said Mathias Geisen, a member of the Mercedes board of management. "And of course, we now look into market demand and have some plans of where else to use it."
Already Being Used By AMG
Geisen's statement is a curious one, considering the evolved 4.0-liter V8 is already in production for the Mercedes S-Class. But it's even more curious because the engine is also already heading to AMG vehicles. In June, the company announced its largest performance SUVs, the GLE 63 S Coupe and GLS 63, would get the engine, tuned to develop 603 hp.
So, when Geisen says "nice and sophisticated V8," could he be talking about something else entirely, or merely a more powerful version of the one destined for the SUVs? Considering the current C63 makes 671 hp, it would be hard to push out a next-generation model with less than that, even if it does bring the V8 back. And then there are the aforementioned Euro regulations to address. Might Mercedes-AMG retain a hybrid powertrain with new V8 power?
In any case, Geisen doesn't offer any further details other than to "stay tuned." That means for the near-term, performance-hungry Mercedes buyers will have to settle for the non-hybrid inline-six, which will likely debut soon as a new C53.
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Enthusiasts won't be so easily parted from their V8 engines, even if the performance payoff is better. It's a lesson Ram learned, and Dodge is learning it right now. But despite the lull in emissions standards for the US market, stricter rules exist elsewhere and eventually, that will come back to the US as well. Does that mean the V8's demise is still imminent as everyone thought a couple of years ago?
Perhaps not. Ram brought back a V8 option but didn't kill its new inline-six offerings. Dodge will likely revive a Hellcat V8 to create a new flagship Charger. Merely offering buyers a V8 choice could satisfy the masses. In essence, V8 power becomes a halo option – not selling in volume but generating excitement that brings buyers into showrooms, dreaming of the V8 but leaving with a six or a hybrid that might have equal or even better performance.
Source: Road & Track
