Mercedes purists clutched their pearls when AMG announced the C63 would ditch its thunderous V8 for a four-cylinder hybrid.
The internet collectively lost its mind. Forums exploded. Comment sections burned.
The Four-Cylinder Reality Check
The current C63 packs a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with hybrid assistance.
Not a typo. A four-banger in AMG's performance sedan.
It produces 671 horsepower and a sledgehammer 752 lb-ft of torque. Numbers that embarrass the outgoing V8 model on paper.
But numbers aren't everything. The soundtrack matters. The character matters. The soul matters.
The hybrid C63 starts at around $86,000. That's serious money for four cylinders, regardless of how many electric motors you bolt to it.
V8 Rumors Crushed
Recent reports suggested Mercedes would reintroduce V8 power to the C63 by 2026.
False alarm.
Mercedes has clarified these rumors don't apply to the C63. The four-cylinder hybrid powertrain isn't going anywhere.
The aftermarket has responded. Vuk Manufaktur now offers a V8 conversion, swapping in the 4.0L BiTurbo engine that enthusiasts crave.
But factory-fresh V8 C63s? Not happening.
The CLE 63 Gets the V8 Glory
While the C63 remains cylinder-deprived, the upcoming CLE 63 will reportedly receive V8 treatment.
Not just any V8 – a new flat-plane crankshaft design.
Mercedes has confirmed development of a new V8 engine but hasn't specified which models will receive it. The CLE 63 appears to be first in line.
What does this mean for AMG enthusiasts?
- The C63 remains a four-cylinder hybrid proposition
- The CLE 63 becomes the entry point for V8 AMG performance
- The flat-plane V8 suggests higher revs and sharper response
The message from Stuttgart is clear: electrification isn't optional, but they're not abandoning V8s entirely.
For those who refuse to accept a four-cylinder C63, the choices are simple: buy used, pay for an aftermarket conversion, or step up to the CLE 63.
Mercedes knows enthusiasts want V8s. They're just making us pay more to get them.
