Mercedes-AMG shuts down rumours of C63 V8 revival - report

Don’t pop that champagne, V8 fans.

Reports of a new V8-powered C63 have been dismissed by Mercedes-AMG sources, according to a report from German publication Auto Motor und Sport.

“This is pure nonsense,” an employee familiar with product development told the publication, referring to a recent report from US publication Car & Driver that said a new V8-powered C63 would debut in 2026.

This was reported to be a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre plug-in hybrid V8 powertrain, with the upcoming E63 also reported to feature this powertrain instead of an inline-six plug-in hybrid.

The American outlet reported that, according to senior engineers directly involved in the matter, the C-Class and E-Class need only minor bodywork changes to accommodate the twin-turbo engine, battery, electric motor and auxiliary equipment.

Moreover, as the current-generation models are expected to live beyond 2028 and the V8 is reportedly being modified to meet tougher EU7 emissions standards, these V8 super sedans could remain in production well into the next decade.

With internal sources telling different outlets different things, it’s unclear just what is happening with Mercedes-AMG’s super saloons.

Mercedes-AMG controversially switched from a twin-turbocharged V8 engine in its last C63 to a 2.0-litre turbocharged plug-in hybrid four-cylinder powertrain in its new C63 S E Performance, due here in the second half of this year.

That’s in stark contrast with the rival BMW M3, which continues to use a twin-turbocharged inline-six, and the Audi RS4/RS5, which uses a twin-turbo V6 and will reportedly continue to do so in its upcoming next generation.

The four-cylinder C63 uses a version of the A45 S’ M139 engine, with outputs bumped up to 350kW and 545Nm. It’s mated with a 150kW/320Nm electric motor and a 6.1kWh battery, with total system outputs swelling to 500kW and 1020Nm.

That’s significantly more powerful than its 375kW/750Nm V8-powered predecessor, but it’s also heavier: at 2165kg, it’s 392kg heavier than before.

The new E63 has yet to be revealed, but will reportedly use a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain.

Again, the rival Bimmer will outdo it on cylinder count. The next M5 is expected to use a twin-turbocharged plug-in hybrid V8.

Mercedes-AMG hasn’t abandoned V8s entirely.

The new AMG GT 63 S E Performance, which has just gone on sale in Australia, blends a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with an electric motor for total system outputs of 620kW of power and a staggering 1400Nm of torque. This also makes it the most powerful series production car Mercedes-AMG has ever produced.

The recently revealed S63 E Performance has a similar set-up, albeit with less power (590kW) but more torque (1430Nm).

You can also still get a V8 engine, sans electrification, in the AMG G63 and new AMG SL 63.

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