The most recent (W206) C63S AMG is probably the most contentious AMG to ever go on sale. The company confirmed way in advance that the performance halo of the C-Class range would be powered by a massively hybridised turbocharged four-pot. Fans of the brand and petrolheads at large could be heard shouting from behind their keyboards all over the world. “We don’t want no four” or “Keep the V8” seemed to be the general sentiment.

There have been rumours circulating recently that a late rethink by AMG will see a V8 reintroduced into the C-AMG. We were even asked by readers if we’d heard about the large-scale production changes taking place at the East London plant that produces C-Class models. The rumours, however, seem to be just that as Mercedes-AMG has confirmed that there will be no V8 for C63S AMG.

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Official Word

AMG responded to a report by automotive website Motor1 by clearly stating that there is no V8 engine planned for the revised W206, which is due out from next year. The report went on to include a statement by AMG communications specialist Catrin Dunz-Ludwig who was only willing to confirm the existence of a new V8: “We can confirm that AMG is developing a new V8 engine. However, we ask for your understanding that we do not comment on a detailed rollout plan.”

“We want to be very, very progressive when it comes to technology. And we are convinced of the hybridization concept, there we will stay with the four cylinder,” AMG spokespersons replied to Motor1, when asked to comment about the possible return of a bent eight to the Baby ‘Benz.

Click here to check out the full history of the C-AMG from the very start.

Losing Ground…

Mercedes has already commented that switching over from the twin-turbo V8 of the W205 to the turbocharged, inline four of the most recent version has cost a few sales. “We see that some of our very loyal customers struggle a bit with the concept,” AMG boss Michael Schiebe told UK’s Car Magazine. “Of course, no doubt we have also lost some customers who are just into V8s. You need to really drive this car. It’s a very convincing product.”

Mercedes-AMG has been one of the dominant forces in Formula One over the last few years. Therefore it makes complete sense to use some of that tech in its performance road-car offerings, otherwise what’s the point of going racing. Ferrari and McLaren have applied hybrid tech to their sportcars as well, which has allowed them to downsized engine capacity in the face of ever-tightening emissions regulations.

“We jumped far ahead with this technology, but we should have explained the technology more to our salespeople and customers,” he told Car. “We will continue to do that and further improve. There is a German saying, ‘You never have a second chance at a first impression.’ Maybe we missed out on the first impression, but if you have the opportunity, I’m sure you will be convinced of the technology. The C63 is a very important car in our portfolio. It used to be, it is and it will be. We decided with the current version to really go for the latest technology. We wanted something new and that’s why we put the F1 powertrain into a street-legal car.”

… Or Are They?

Mercedes-Benz reported annual sales in 2024 of 281 500 units in 2024. That figure is slightly down on the 2023 tally. In comparison, BMW M GmbH sales reached an all-time high of 206 582 units for the 2024 fiscal year. Interestingly, the all-electric BMW i4 M50 was the best-selling model for the third time in a row. That is quite a shift for the brand and a clear indication that performance fans are embracing electrification. Oh, and if you are keen to know, Porsche sportscars (911, Boxster and Cayman) racked up 74 611 sales.