In a shocking and unprecedented move, Mercedes-AMG is killing most of its V8-powered cars in the US. Sales of some of AMG's most popular cars are suspended for the 2022 model year, including the C 63, GLC 63, E 63, GLE 580, GLS 580, GLS 63, and GLS 600 Maybach. The G 550 and G 63 SUVs are also affected. At the time, a leaked document indicated supply issues caused by the semiconductor chip shortage were to blame. However, AMG boss Philipp Scheimer has revealed to Road & Track that a "quality issue" is forcing AMG to stop selling V8-powered cars in America.

"We are updating our vehicles every year, and we are not satisfied with the quality. And for us it's quality first," he said.

"So we have to do some retesting and this is the process we are in at the moment. So it depends from model to model." Not every model is affected as Scheimer confirmed the V8-powered S580 will still be sold in the US for 2022 but refused to elaborate on what is causing the quality issue.

Adding to the confusion, Mercedes-AMG is extending production of the 2021 G-Class even though the 2022 model is being suspended. It also doesn't explain why Aston Martin models like the Vantage and DB11 are unaffected by the quality issue when they are also powered by AMG's fabled twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8.

While it's unclear exactly what is causing the quality issue, any changes being made to the power plant require certification by authorities. In his original statement, Scheimer told the publication that AMG is complying with "various global, external, and internal requirements." This certification can take a long time to be approved, which probably explains why AMG is suspending sales for its V8-powered cars for so long.

Despite these setbacks and Mercedes shifting to electric-only cars by 2030, AMG is confident V8s will still be around for the next ten years. "I think there will be a future, yes," Scheimer said in a recent interview. "I think for the next ten years we will see the V8s, for sure. We have a lot of customers who love their cars and I still think that we will see those people buying the [V8] cars for a long time."