“It requires more space, not just in terms of physical dimensions but also for associated cooling systems and crash protection measures,” a Mercedes-AMG source told Autocar. And that’s the engineering dilemma that drove Mercedes-AMG to ditch its four-cylinder plug-in hybrid drivetrain for the C63 Despite impressive tech borrowed from Mercedes-AMG’s Formula 1 program, the turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and rear-mounted electric motor didn’t resonate with buyers, and the model has lagged behind expectations in sales figures.
The 2022 C63 that debuted is the most powerful C-Class ever, packing an insane 670 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque. But that did little to quiet disappointment among fans who for decades knew yelping V8 engines as the backbone of AMG’s performance pedigree. Mercedes-AMG’s solution to the issue most dire phasing in a mid-cycle refresh for the C63 that’ll replace the four-banger drivetrain with a revised 3.0-liter inline-six plug-in hybrid setup by 2026.
This six-cylinder engine is not completely new it’s an evolution of the M256 motor used in AMG models like the E53 and the GLE 53. Improvements have also been made to the power and torque figures, with expected outputs exceeding 650 hp and 650 lb-ft, added to the facelift. The rear-axle mounted electric motor will be placed in the space between the engine and transmission, further simplifying the drivetrain’s architecture.
Many will welcome a return to a six-cylinder configuration, but it’s not a V8 reincarnation that some enthusiasts have been clamoring for. The MRA structure of the C-Class, however, has some packaging limitations, meaning that the outfit cannot offer AMG’s twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, Carscoops reports. Engineers cited structural changes needed to accommodate the V8, new crash testing that would be required and regulatory approval all logistical challenges that become impractical this late in the model cycle.
Dropping No. 4 is more than an engineering decision, it’s a response to market forces. That advanced architecture was never quite enough for buyers to embrace the turbo-four powerplant, after all, the notion of a high-performance AMG derivative with a reasonably small engine was enough to raise eyebrows. C4 has reflected that same sentiment throughout the rest of AMG’s lineup, with the automaker recently re-jacketed the V8 power train in their new outgoing CLE 63 Coupé & Cabriolet models. AMG 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, specifically a flat-plane-crank version of a variant from AMG’s ‘M177’ engine family, which bodes well for dynamic intent.
The updated C63 won’t be the only model to receive the new six-pot powertrain. It means the new engine will trickle through to the whole AMG lineup, with the new powertrain also due to be introduced in 2027 with the GLC 63. This reorganisation is consistent with AMG’s continuing efforts to optimise clear and more customer-oriented portfolios.
The PHEV shift to a six-cylinder offering is all at once an interesting mixture of old and new, taking a sequel to what in itself is a fleet evolution of Mercedes-AMG. On the one hand, it recognizes the brand’s storied history of building performance engines that send drivers’ hearts racing. Yet on some level, it is also a harbinger of the growing importance of electrification and sustainability in the automotive market.
The deep heart new double heart beats there 480 horsepower alone from the pure and the internal combustion engine, and the electrification combination pays the more than 650 PS. Over 650 lb-ft is impressive torque numbers. It also surpasses the specs of the outgoing four-cylinder and represents another heartening step up the AMT ladder when it comes to the practice of performance engineering.
With each generation, Mercedes-AMG has shown itself to be an automaker unafraid to pivot with the demands of the ever-evolving marketplace, and the refreshed C63 is just the next chapter in that journey. Reality has come to roost in the futuristic world of AMG and its absolute performance with a six-cylinder PHEV setup. Whether that will rejuvenate interest in the C63 remains to be seen, but one thing is certain, the facelift for 2026 represents a pivot point in the evolution of AMG’s iconic sports compact.
Although the raucous thunder of a V8 won’t be part of the future for the C-Class, the electrification of an exciting six-cylinder is in store, and that’s inviting all on its own. As Jalopnik aptly noted “You can’t have a new car that’s less powerful than the old one. That’s sacrilege.” The facelifted C63 is not about to slip through any cracks as a competitor to Mercedes-AMG’s own compact sports sedan.
