2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 will still be appealing even without the petrol V8 engine: Mercedes-Benz

It’s no secret that the new-generation Mercedes-AMG C63 will ditch its potent V8 petrol engine for a hybrid four-cylinder powerplant, but will that make it any less appealing?

Mercedes certainly doesn’t think so, with the brand’s Australian PR boss Jerry Stamoulis telling CarsGuide that the German brand is simply moving with the times in offering a more environmentally friendly performance package.

“We’ll have to wait and see [if dropping the V8 will hurt the C63’s appeal]. Normally when the market moves on, sometimes a product range moves on as well,” he said.

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“Until we see what is available to us, what we can offer Australian consumers, then we’ll have a better idea.

“The reality is, when we went to superchargers, people said it was a problem, when we went to turbochargers, people said the same thing.

“So, we need to wait and see what the end result is, and ultimately the sales will tell us.”

Though the new-generation C63 is yet to break cover, it is expected to be revealed in 2022 packing a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain for the first time.

(Image credit: Kolesa)

Mercedes revealed in early 2021 plans is to utilise a hybrid powertrain, pairing the potent A45 S hyper hatch’s 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine with an electric motor and battery to deliver even more performance than the outgoing V8.

It’s a big change in direction for the C-Class, which has had an AMG-badged, V8-powered flagship in each of its four generations since 1993.

Breaking it down, here’s what the 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 powerplant is expected to look like.

Under the bonnet of the A45 S, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine produces 310kW/500Nm, but in the new C63, a 330kW tune is expected.

And with a rear-axle-mounted electric motor providing an additional 150kW/320Nm boost, total outputs are expected in the vicinity of 410kW/800Nm – well and truly eclipsing the current C63 S’ 375kW/700Nm.

When asked if a switch to a smaller powerplant will turn buyers towards competitors like the BMW M3, Audi RS4/RS5 and Alfa Romeo Giulia QV – all of which are powered by turbocharged six-cylinder engines – Mr Stamoulis said there will still be models in the AMG range to suit customers with an appetite for large-displacement engines.

“You’ll still be able to buy a V8 for some time, and we have other models with V8s as well,” he said. “If someone is specifically after an eight-cylinder car, we’ll be offering eight cylinders for some time.

“But we have a very broad range of cars, everything from A35 to Black Series, there is a performance car for everyone in our range.”

Recent rumours suggest the larger, new-generation E63 will also ditch the V8 in favour of a petrol-electric hybrid set-up, while models further up the range including the GT, GT 4-door coupe and new SL-Class will likely carry on with a bent-eight powerplant.