The Breakdown
- AMG boss recognizes that the company 'assumed greater acceptance' for the four-cylinder C63.
- The C63 will be indirectly replaced by a six-cylinder, non-hybrid C53.
- A new V8 is coming, but not for the C63.
The C63 saga is officially over, as Mercedes-AMG is pulling the plug on the flagship C-Class. While a direct replacement isn’t in the pipeline, Affalterbach plans to roll out a lukewarm C53 with two extra cylinders, but still two fewer than the previous-generation C63. Officially, the company says the decision comes down to meeting Euro 7 regulations, which the electrified four-pot surprisingly can’t satisfy.
Although lackluster sales apparently didn’t directly cause the C63’s impending demise, Mercedes-AMG admits it overestimated customers' willingness to embrace a four-cylinder engine. In an interview with German magazine Auto Motor und Sport, outgoing CEO Michael Schiebe acknowledged that projections were too optimistic:
'Previous decisions were made under different circumstances, and we also assumed greater acceptance. This has changed significantly in key markets, including the USA.'
It’s not the first time AMG’s head honcho has made such a candid statement. A little over a year ago, he told Car Magazine that “no doubt we have also lost some customers who are just into V8s.” Later in the year, he admitted that Mercedes’ performance division should have “better explained the technology” behind the electrified four-cylinder powertrain.
From July 1, ex-Porsche Taycan head Stefan Weckbach will replace Michael Schiebe at the helm of AMG. The outgoing CEO will remain on the board of management, overseeing Production, Quality, and Supply Chain Management.
While the C63 with a 2.0-liter mill is going away, the “M139” engine is soldiering on in the not-for-America A45. Schiebe said the hot hatch will continue “for quite some time,” following a decision to extend the A-Class’ life cycle by a few more years. From the second quarter of this year, the brand’s entry-level car will switch production locations, relocating from the Rastatt site in Germany to the Kecskemét plant in Hungary, where Mercedes intends to assemble the vehicle until sometime in 2028.
Meanwhile, the longitudinally mounted “M139l” version is likely to be dropped from the GLC 63 as well. Logic suggests Mercedes-AMG is planning a GLC 53 with the same inline-six slated for the C53. The 3.0-liter engine’s identity has already been revealed: “M256M.” For context, it currently produces 443 hp in the CLE 53 Coupe and Cabriolet.
Motor1's Take: The C63’s early retirement shows that numbers don’t mean everything. Even though the plug-in hybrid was far more powerful than its V8 predecessor, enthusiasts missed the drama of the twin-turbo 4.0-liter engine.
Engineers may claim there is a replacement for displacement, but in the end, it’s customers who decide with their wallets whether they want a big ICE or an ultra-complicated small engine with hybrid assistance.
The forthcoming V8 that AMG is developing should bring back buyers into showrooms. However, an eight-cylinder C-Class doesn't seem to be in the works. Instead, the new engine is earmarked for larger models, including a hardcore CLE.
Source: Auto Motor and Sport
