Wild Report Says Mercedes Will Kill Off The AMG C 63

The Mercedes-AMG C 63 was a popular formula for enthusiasts: a compact sedan packing a raucous, twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. We say “was” because Mercedes-AMG meddled with that formula for the current W206 generation. Out went the V8. In came a 2.0-liter PHEV pumping out a seriously impressive 671 horsepower and 752 lb-ft of torque — more than the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. The move sparked controversy as, for all the talk of F1-derived technology, a four-cylinder is not an eight-cylinder. And Mercedes has had a tough time selling them.

Mercedes has already confirmed it is not bringing a newly developed V8 back for the AMG C 63. And a wild report from Germany suggests there could be a very good reason for that.

Key Takeaways

• Mercedes has struggled to sell the four-cylinder hybrid AMG C 63
• A report from Germany says Mercedes will drop it and the AMG C 43
• It also says a new AMG C 53 with a 3.0-liter I6 will replace both models
• A new AMG CLE 53 may get the new V8 instead of the C 63
• The reported moves would align with Mercedes consolidating its lineup

A Report Says Mercedes Will Drop The AMG C 63 For a New AMG C 53 4Matic+

The reason the AMG C 63 won’t get the V8? The German site MBPassionBlog, citing “information” they have obtained, reports it’s because Mercedes is doing away with the AMG C 63 entirely. Per their report, Mercedes will drop the C 43 and the C 63 S E Performance and replace them with a new C 53 4Matic+ model. That model would, almost literally, split the difference between the 4.0-liter V8 and 2.0-liter inline-four hybrid, with a mild-hybrid 3.0-liter inline-six. The report says it will be the same motor Mercedes currently has in the CLE 53 4Matic+, which delivers 443 horsepower and up to 443 lb-ft of torque.

Those moves would give Mercedes one AMG C model that directly challenges the BMW M3, rather than two different AMG C sedans that undercut and overshoot the M3.

But a New AMG CLE 63 Could Reportedly Get The V8

In February, the British website Autocar reported that Mercedes will build a newly developed V8. The new V8 will “lean heavily” on the current twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8. Per that report, the first car to get it will be a new AMG CLE 63 coupe model that would slot above the AMG CLE 53. That report, however, also said the V8 would later end up in the C 63.

TopSpeed’s Take

Mercedes has not confirmed the C 63 is leaving. Take unconfirmed reporting with a grain of salt. But the reported moves would be in line with recent Mercedes product planning. We know Mercedes is looking to cut models and reduce lineup complexity. Even if Mercedes has backed off ambitious electric conversion plans, reducing complexity remains vital for improving profit margins. Having one, six-cylinder AMG C 53 to directly challenge the BMW M3 sounds like a rational way to achieve that simplification while still offering buyers a compelling product.