In 2022, Mercedes-Benz determined to drop the much-loved twin-turbo V-8 in its AMG C63 in favor of a hybridized four-cylinder powertrain. Whereas the brand new setup is extra highly effective and extra technologically superior, it rightfully didn’t garner the identical pleasure because the outgoing automotive’s characterful eight-cylinder. The boss of AMG now admits the corporate misplaced out on gross sales as a result of swap.
“We see that a few of our very loyal prospects wrestle a bit with the idea,” AMG boss Michael Schiebe informed Automotive Journal. “After all, little question we have now additionally misplaced some prospects who’re simply into V-8s. You could actually drive this automotive. It’s a really convincing product.”
We weren’t completely satisfied in our most up-to-date take a look at of the AMG C63 S E Efficiency. Whereas it is an unimaginable feat of engineering, our tester, Chris Rosales, known as the powertrain impassive and bemoaned the additional weight added by the hybrid batteries.
Picture by: Chris Rosales / Motor1
Picture by: Chris Rosales / Motor1
Maybe we simply have not racked up sufficient miles. Schiebe has mentioned up to now, “It takes time” for some prospects to understand the C63’s superior drivetrain. He clearly stands by the automotive, however concedes AMG may’ve executed a greater job advertising the tech.
“We jumped far forward with this know-how, however we should always have defined the know-how extra to our salespeople and prospects,” he informed Automotive. “We’ll proceed to do this and additional enhance. There’s a German saying, “You by no means have a second likelihood at a primary impression.” Possibly we missed out on the primary impression, however when you have the chance, I’m positive you may be satisfied of the know-how.”
Schiebe mentioned in a 2023 interview with Prime Gear the C63 would stay a four-cylinder automotive for the foreseeable future. However which may not be the case for the upcoming AMG CLE63. That automotive, which was initially purported to get the identical drivetrain, will now obtain a twin-turbo V-8, in response to an Autocar report from 2024. Whereas there isn’t any official information on the choice, Autocar believes it was a last-minute swap stemming from public backlash over the C63.
Picture by: Chris Rosales / Motor1
Both means, the AMG head stays steadfast in his love for the present product.
“The C63 is a vital automotive in our portfolio,” he informed Automotive. “It was, it’s and it will likely be. We determined with the present model to actually go for the newest know-how. We needed one thing new and that’s why we put the F1 powertrain right into a street-legal automotive.”
