Mercedes-AMG C 63 Set to Return to V8 Engine for 2026 Model Year

The Mercedes-AMG C 63 will switch back to a V8 engine from its current 2-litre, four-cylinder hybrid setup next year, as confirmed by our sister publication Autocar UK. Mercedes launched the track-focused sedan in India in December 2024. Notably, the AMG CLE 63 will first receive the new eight-cylinder engine later this year, followed by the C 63 facelift in 2026. We have extensively reported on the upcoming CLE 63 getting a new 595hp-V8 engine and other key details revealed from spy shots. 

Mercedes-AMG C 63 facelift engine and performance
New engine will have a higher redline
This layout allows for a more compact crankcase design

The new engine is rumoured to be similar to the Mercedes performance division’s existing twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8. It should be noted that AMG has abandoned the traditional cross-plane crankshaft in favour of a flat-plane design. This shift was done to improve the throttle response and enable a higher RPM redline; however, it sacrifices the burbling usually associated with AMG’s V8 engines. The report added that this layout enables a more compact crankcase design, making it possible to package the new engine into cars not originally engineered for a V8, including the C-Class.

C 63 S E PHEV has a 680hp-2-litre four-cylinder engine
Artificial sound tech simulating a V8 engine under consideration

To compensate for the high-pitched and more aggressive note of the flat-plane crank engine, an artificial sound generator simulating the burbling V8 sound may be added to the C 63 sedan. We do not have the exact power and torque figures yet, but for reference, the Mercedes AMG G 63 uses the cross-plane twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, making 585hp and 850Nm of torque. A 48V mild-hybrid tech, responsible for a 22hp boost, was also added to the AMG SUV launched in 2024. In comparison, the AMG C 63 S E Performance with the downsized 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid engine pushes out a whopping 680hp and 1,020Nm of torque.

Mercedes India growth plans, new models

Workshops in 10 new cities
8 new Mercedes models to launch in 2025

In 2024, Mercedes-Benz dominated the luxury segment with sales of 19,565 units in India. Models priced over Rs 1 crore grew by 30 percent year-on-year and accounted for one in every four cars sold by the automaker. To further the growth, workshops will be opened in 10 new cities like Jammu, Kottayam, Udaipur and Amritsar.

This year, eight new cars and SUVs are slated for launch, of which, the G-Class Electric (G 580 with EQ Technology), EQS 450 SUV and Night Series versions of the Maybach GLS 600 and EQS 680 SUV are already on sale. The AMG CLE 53 is set for a launch in the coming months, too.