Mercedes Officials Reportedly Deny AMG C63 Will Go Back to V-8 Power
It's only been a week since Autocar reported the Mercedes-AMG C63 would switch from its four-cylinder PHEV powertrain to a V8, but a new report from Wards Auto is already splashing cold water on the idea.
The conflicting report, issued March 3, cites senior Mercedes officials denying the rumors that a V-8 will find its way into the current generation C63. Which report is true? Who knows — and even if AMG is planning on cramming a V-8 into the C63, it's likely any questioning on the matter will be brushed off to not dissuade folks from buying the current four-cylinder PHEV car.
As a reminder, this is the official statement Mercedes provided Road & Track when questioned about the V8 rumors last week: 'Mercedes-AMG is developing a new V-8 engine. However, please understand we do not discuss future product plans."
One future product plan Mercedes did reveal to Wards, though, is that a new mild-hybrid V-8 engine will debut in the CLE-Class Coupe and Cabriolet. This news confirms part of Autocar's report from the other week, where it was suggested the AMG CLE63 would be the first model to enjoy AMG's new eight-cylinder engine.
This new report is also consistent with the rumor that the new V-8 will switch from a cross-plane to flat-plane crank design. It's going to be based on the current 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 architecture, but the flat-plane crank should give it a significantly different character than current and past AMG V-8s: expect a higher-revving engine with a higher-pitched tone due to this new design. Plus, its more compact size will allow Mercedes to fit the V-8 into cars that may not have been engineered for them from the outset. Think both C63 and GLC63, two fresh AMG models that made the switch from eight- to four-cylinder power this time around.
We'll need to just wait and see at this point concerning the C63's fate. With one report claiming one thing and another suggesting the exact opposite, it's a toss-up as to whether or not this new motor eventually worms its way under the C63's hood.
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