2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 will ditch V8 for hybrid four-cylinder

The downsizing engine-size trend is rampant in the present automotive industry and AMG partook by junking the glorious 6.2-litre V8 for a stronger-but-odd-sounding twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 in its AMG 63 models. Now AMG is wrapping itself in quite a thick blanket of controversy as it plans to chuck out the V8 altogether in favour of an electrified four-cylinder engine. And this little mill will pop up first in the next-generation Mercedes-AMG C63, based on the new 2021-2022 C-Class due soon.

Yes, this news can be significantly annoying for the aficionados who still lament the demise of the 6.2-litre V8. If you are one of them, you have company. Former AMG boss Tobias Moers reportedly stormed out of the meeting at which this decision was made. An AMG 63 model dropping four of its pots may be a heartbreak for many, yet it makes a lot of sense for Mercedes-AMG as a manufacturer. With the ever-constricting emission regs breathing down their neck, the leap to a small four-cylinder can help future-proof their AMG ammunition for longer.

According to an interview given by Mercedes-AMG to Car & Driver in February, the arrival of the new engine is confirmed. They also added that the hybrid setup will churn out at least 500 hp, which is at par with what the current V8 produces. Thus the downsizing should not have any negative effect on the straight-line drive experience. In fact, it may make it even better with the electric motor filling gaps in the powerband with its instant torque.

If Mercedes-AMG intends to forage in its own parts bin, the most probable candidate for the new engine is the 2.0-litre turbocharged mill from the CLA 45, currently developing 382 hp. Hiking the power output to 500 hp should be a simple task with an electric motor. The smaller C43 AMG will also downsize to an electrified four-cylinder, albeit with less power.