Listen to the four-cylinder C63 at the Nurburgring.
Mercedes-AMG, long known for selling brutally quick German muscle cars, shocked its fan base when it announced that it would be killing most of its V8-powered vehicles in the US, including the Mercedes-AMG E 63, GLS 580, and GLS 600 Maybach. According to Mercedes-AMG, the mighty V8 was having quality issues, but the brand, along with the rest of its competitors, is slowly moving away from large capacity ICE powerplants, in favor of electric and hybrid power. An upcoming model that exemplifies this way of thinking is the new AMG C63 S E Performance. This AMG Merc which traditionally competes with the BMW M3 has been spotted testing around the Nurburgring, and its turbocharged 2.0-liter M139 engine doesn't sound all that bad.
The video shows a wagon version of the 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance on the track in light camouflage. The driver holds nothing back as the C63 flies around the corners. As some have pointed out, it is rather sad not to hear the mighty roar of a V8 engine coming from this hot C-Class, but the four-pot under the hood of this car is no laughing matter: without the assistance of an electric motor, the M139 engine can deliver an astonishing 416 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Add the 48-volt integrated starter motor and you gain an extra 22 hp and 184 lb-ft for a total output of 503 hp and 516 lb-ft.
Power is expected to be managed by Mercedes-Benzes' nine-speed torque-converter transmission. While some die-hard fans will lament the passing of the V8, the adoption of this more compact powertrain will not only offer more efficiency, but will also weigh much less, aiding in weight distribution and overall performance. Mercedes-Benz will release the next-generation C-Class before the green C63, and while it does signal the end of an era, at least it's not getting slower.
Acura
Alfa Romeo
Aston Martin
Audi
Automobili Pininfarina
Bentley
BMW
Bollinger
BrightDrop
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Caterham
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Dodge
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Genesis
GMC
Gordon Murray Automotive
Hennessey
Honda
Hyundai
Ineos Automotive
Infiniti
Jaguar
Jeep
Karma
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lordstown
Lotus
Lucid Motors
Maserati
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes-Benz
Mini
Mitsubishi
Nissan
Pagani
Polestar
Porsche
Ram
Rimac
Rivian
Rolls-Royce
Spyker
Subaru
Tesla
Toyota
VinFast
Volkswagen
Volvo
Join The Discussion