But the V-8 ain’t coming back.
A lot of digital ink has been spilled since Mercedes did the unthinkable and rolled out a four-cylinder C63. Although sales numbers were never released, the heavy discounts suggest that AMG has struggled to convince buyers that the electrified 2.0-liter is worth their money. High-ranking officials have even gone on record admitting the company “has lost some customers” after the V-8’s demise. But the three-pointed star is looking to make amends. Well, sort of.
Mathias Geisen, Member of the Board of Management, Marketing & Sales, hinted in an interview with Auto Express that the C63 could get a bigger engine after all. Don’t expect the V-8 to return, though; it’s not happening. An all-new eight-cylinder is in development at home in Affalterbach, but Mercedes recently told us the flagship C-Class won’t get it. The next best thing? An inline-six may be on the horizon for the performance sedan.
“We will have some options where we had a four-cylinder, which will also be available as a six-cylinder going forward. There may or may not be a hybrid, it might be pure ICE, maybe. We’ll let you know when we’re there.”
It’s not the first time we’ve heard about a six-cylinder C63. A few months back, enthusiast site Mercedes-Benz Passion Blog reported that AMG could fit a mild-hybrid 3.0-liter, codenamed “M256M.” This straight-six is already found in several Mercedes models, including the CLE53, as well as the Aston Martin DBX.
Mercedes-AMG C63 with four-cylinder engine
However, the German report speculated the hottest C-Class might drop the C63 badge in favor of C53. Interestingly, Autocar suggested AMG could instead keep the C63 name for a plug-in hybrid with six cylinders. Which version proves true remains to be seen, but between the rumors and Mercedes’ official comments, it’s increasingly likely the four-cylinder setup will give way to an inline-six. Some form of electrification is expected to meet tougher emissions rules.
The switch could happen as early as next year. The C-Class is due for a mid-cycle facelift in 2026, which should coincide with the launch of a flagship model. Whether it’s called C63 or C53 is unclear, but Mercedes-AMG won’t abandon this niche. The GLC 63 is expected to follow suit once it arrives, likely in 2027.
The Unloved C63:
If the name change does happen, it would make sense to see a lower starting price. In the U.S., where the C63 is sold only as a sedan, it starts at $87,200 including destination, before options. That makes it just $1,675 cheaper than the M3 Competition xDrive.
Speaking of its Bavarian rival, BMW has already confirmed the next-generation M3 will retain its inline-six, debuting in 2028, or about a year after the electric M3. Audi Sport, meanwhile, is preparing a new RS5 Avant to replace the RS4 wagon, with the same cylinder count. In Audi’s case, though, a V-6 is all but confirmed as the core of a plug-in hybrid system.