The facelifted Mercedes-AMG C63 will reportedly gain a six-cylinder engine.
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The Mercedes-AMG C63 S is a technological marvel of note.
500kW from a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain is impressive in anyone's book. But technological superiority does not necessarily translate into driver satisfaction, and that is a lesson which Mercedes' performance division has learned the hard way with its latest C63.
As many had predicted, buyers who came to love the rumbling V8 in the previous version simply have not warmed to the far less enticing soundtrack of a four-cylinder engine.
Sales of the performance flagship have fallen sharply in key markets around the world, according to reports, and Mercedes-AMG is apparently now scrambling to remedy that.
Autocar, citing inside sources, reports that the facelifted version of the Mercedes-AMG C63 will receive a new six-cylinder plug-in hybrid drivetrain when it hits the scene in 2026.
According to the UK publication, the C63 will receive an upgraded version of the six-cylinder drivetrain found in the current CLE 53 and E53 AMG models. This new drivetrain will reportedly also find its way into the updated GLC 63 SUV, which is due in 2027.
As an aside, the CLE 63 that's due later in 2025, will sport a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, Autocar adds. However, the C-Class sedan's packaging architecture does not allow for the fitment of a V8 without significant modifications to the frontal structure, hence the decision to go with six cylinders for the updated version.
Nonetheless, a six-cylinder hybrid solution could still hit a sweet spot for Mercedes-AMG C63 customers, as its straight-six configuration will surely deliver a far more enticing soundtrack than the current four-pot offers.
We wouldn't bet on it offering much more outright power than the current four, as 500kW is surely already more than sufficient for a saloon of this size. Consider that the BMW M3 Competition delivers 390kW and the Audi RS4 is good for a not-insubstantial 331kW.
Will Mercedes-AMG finally get the formula right with the facelifted C63? We're excited to find out.
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