As just about anyone interested in Mercedes-AMG models will tell you, the fact that the next C63 will not be offered with a V8 engine is a travesty. As it gears up to battle Munich's all-new M3, the C63 will have resistance from within its own fanbase. However, the latest news about its powertrain may just lessen the hate that the fanboys will undoubtedly have when the car arrives. This is because Autocar is reporting that although that new engine will be a four-cylinder, it'll feature Formula One tech borrowed from Lewis Hamilton's racecar and, in turn, the AMG One hypercar. It'll also borrow from the GT 73e, and we know that's going to be great.

According to reports, a longitudinally-mounted version of the 2.0-liter turbo-four found in the A45 S that other markets get will be paired with a 48-volt integrated starter motor in Merc's nine-speed AMG Speedshift MCT auto. To earn its long-winded C63e 4Matic+ EQ Power+ name, the electric motor will drive the rear wheels while a battery pack under the floor of the trunk will enable all-electric driving for short periods. If you're wondering where the F1 tech is, it seems that the combustion engine will use an electric turbocharger similar to that on the F1 car's V6 engine.

We don't yet know exactly how much power this setup will generate, but we know it'll be substantial. According to the rumor mill, we can expect close to 550 horsepower and almost 600 lb-ft of torque. Figures like those should appease the naysayers.

Of course, power figures alone won't be enough to win over those considering the BMW M3 or any other C63 rival. The C 63e will need to deliver its power in a way that makes the purists completely forget what's under the hood, or rather, what's not. And with more weight expected due to that hybrid system, getting the driving dynamics right will be a challenge. Nevertheless, it should do well on paper, with 0-60 in less than 3.5 seconds, a 180-mph top speed, and better fuel economy figures. Furthermore, using a hybrid system similar to that in the GT 73e, 400-volt recharging or fast charging at up to 100 kilowatts will make living with a hybridized C63 no more complicated than before.