Mercedes-AMG To End C63 Production By 2026

According to still unofficial information, the last examples of the most powerful edition of the C-Class, which is “signed” by AMG, are expected to come off the production lines in May next year, as the radical change in the drive concept has apparently not met with an adequate response from customers.

There were a lot of raised eyebrows and indignation when Mercedes decided that the successor to the most powerful C-Class of the previous generation, instead of AMG’s marvelous 4-liter V8 biturbo engine, would be powered by a plug-in power unit whose two-liter four-cylinder turbopetrol in combination with an electric motor produces 680 hp and 1,020 Nm of torque, which is enough to accelerate from 0 to 100 in 3.4 seconds and 280 km/h.

In Stuttgart, they insisted that the reduction in the number of cylinders would not negatively affect their customers and, along the way, often mentioned the performance data offered by the aforementioned “hi-tech” plug-in hybrid combination. No one mentioned emotions.

A little more than three years after the premiere, it appears that the assessment of marketing experts was incorrect, as many potential buyers abandoned plans to purchase the most powerful and partially electrified AMG C-Class in the four-cylinder edition.

The law of supply and demand is merciless, so no one was too surprised when internal acts from the headquarters of the “three-pointed star” were leaked to the public, according to which the C63 will be produced until May next year, and already in February, a similar fate awaits AMG’s GLC63 SUV model, as well as the C43 and GLC43 models, whose earlier three-liter 6-cylinder turbopetrol engines have also been replaced by a four-cylinder option that AMG will offer only in combination with the crossover model. GLA45.

Mercedes’ explanation that new/stricter European noise level standards are to blame for the planned moves “doesn’t hold water.” The good news for potential buyers of future AMG models is that in Affalterbach, they are working hard on a new engine that will power the next generation of the most powerful C and GLC-Class, which should bring (at least) six cylinders along with partial electrification. It’s time to add emotions to performance again.

• Also See: Mercedes-Benz Launches CLA Plug-In-Hybrid Variant