The V8 beasts may return as soon as 2026 with a hybrid setup.
If there’s one thing Mercedes-AMG is known for, it has to be its soulful V8 engines. Indeed, the German duo has been producing fast vehicles with powerful eight-cylinders providing loads of ponies under the hood and a quite charismatic roar for decades. However, with the latest generation C63, it started to follow the downsizing trend, replacing the popular 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 with a tiny 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo hybrid in the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E-Performance. Even then upcoming 2024 E63 is set to feature no longer a V8 but rather a straight-6 plug-in hybrid instead.
Of course, this downgrade in cylinder count sparked fury amongst car enthusiasts, especially AMG purists. Although the small hybrid unit in the C63 produces an excellent combined power of up to 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque, some say it is not worthy of competing with BMW M3’s 473 hp turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6.
Thus, Mercedes quickly noticed the frustration among enthusiasts and might decide to bring the good ol’ V8 back to life. In an interview with Car and Driver, the German automaker admitted there were plans to implant its M177 4.0-liter V8 to C- and E-Class in 2026. This meant future C63 S and E63 S would share the same motor (and probably the same hybrid system) as the AMG GT63 S and S63 E-Performance.
While those sure sound like exciting ideas, keep in mind it will create more homework for Mercedes engineers back at the factory. Not only will they need to get around the challenge of reviving the gas-guzzling V8 engine in times like these, but both the C- and E-Class were originally designed with smaller engines in mind, so bodywork changes will probably be required to accommodate the bigger powerplant. Not to mention the weight concern; with the 4-cylinder C63 S E-Performance already weighing half a ton heavier than the previous non-hybrid V8, how much heavier would the hybrid V8 version be?
Still, reviving the V8 is probably Mercedes’ best bet to redeem itself, and we couldn’t be happier. It’s good to know Mercedes won’t get rid of its V8 anytime soon, especially with the recently launched AMG GT coupe still featuring the familiar non-hybrid 4.0-liter V8 with up to 577 hp.
So let’s just cross our fingers and hope Mercedes-AMG truly puts a V8 in its small sedans again — long live eight cylinders!
