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Miami Herald
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Mercedes-AMG will keep its V8 as long as possible
Mercedes-AMG just unveiled the AMG GT XX concept, a 1,341-horsepower preview of the performance division's first dedicated EV. But AMG has no plans to give up on its signature V-8 engines. In an interview with Motor1, AMG CEO Michael Schiebe said the Mercedes sub-brand's next V8 will arrive in 2027, and that-despite the emissions-related push for electrification-there's not firm date for when it will be retired. "Since we are just in the development of a new V8, there is not a natural end date that we have defined," Schiebe said. "We keep on going as long as we see that there is customer demand, and especially, you know, when it comes to the U.S., for example, we see that there are still customers that just want the V8, a pure V8. And so this is why we are investing in the technology." While current European Union rules put the bloc on a path to ending sales of new internal-combustion cars by 2035 (unless synthetic fuels enter widespread use), the V8 could live on past that point outside AMG's home market, Schiebe noted. "There is, at the moment, a natural ending in Europe," the AMG CEO said, adding that this isn't the case right now for other markets. "In the U.S., in the overseas market, where there is no certain end date, I'm pretty confident that we will carry them a couple of years, beginning of the [20]30s, middle of the [20]30s." For now, the next-generation AMG V8 is being engineered to comply with the Euro 7 emissions rules that will be in place when it arrives. These will be the last round of EU emissions rules before 2035, when stricter rules will call for new cars to have zero carbon-dioxide emissions. Synthetic fuels have been discussed as a workaround to this, but given the difficulty in scaling them up at affordable prices, a change in the rules may be the only way to keep AMG V8s alive in their home market past the middle of next decade. AMG is already leaning on plug-in hybrids as a compromise between stricter emissions rules and performance. The current iterations of the AMG C63 sedan and GLC63 crossover ditched their V8s for turbocharged four-cylinder engines fortified by plug-in hybrid systems. They may not have the delightful soundtrack of their predecessors, but these AMG models' 671 hp is nothing to sneer at. A similar plug-in hybrid system is coupled to AMG's current 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in the S63 SL63, and GT63, increasing performance while keeping engine displacement in check. And the AMG E53 offers an EPA-rated 43 miles of electric range but can still accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Vehicles like these could continue to play an important role at AMG. Ola Källenius, CEO of parent Mercedes-Benz, recently said the hybrid version of the redesigned CLA-Class compact would continue longer than expected due to fluctuating demand for EVs. The CLA launches with Mercedes' latest electric-powertrain tech, but the automaker is still hedging its bets with the hybrid version. It wouldn't be surprising for AMG to do the same. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Mercedes AMG to phase out 4 cylinder plug-in hybrids: Report
The Mercedes AMG C 63 S E-Performance gets hybrid technology taken from the company's F1 division Check Offers Mercedes-AMG is to phase out its contentious four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains deployed in its new C 63 and GLC 63 models. The step represents a strategic reversal as the performance division of Mercedes-Benz responds to customer criticism and the impending expense of having to adapt these sophisticated motors to achieve compliance with tougher Euro 7 emissions rules. Four cylinder hybrid strategy fails The plug-in hybrid setup in the C 63 S E Performance and its SUV sibling, the GLC 63, was intended as a technological leap—offering a complex, high-output 2.0-litre turbocharged engine paired with electric assistance for a combined 671 bhp. Nonetheless, while it has its performance credentials, the powertrain never struck a chord with traditional AMG purchasers, who were in large part pining for an unfiltered V8 experience. Also Read : Mercedes-AMG GT 63 and GT 63 PRO launched at ₹ 3 crore. Bookings open A senior AMG executive conceded in a report by Autocar that though the four-cylinder hybrid is one of the most sophisticated systems ever produced by the company, it hasn't achieved success on the customer acceptance front. "Technically brilliant, but misunderstood" was the verdict, leading the brand to reconsider its engine roadmap. Inline six and V8 powertrains to comeback In a return to its roots, AMG is now expected to reintroduce inline six-cylinder and V8 powertrains in future performance models. These will be electrified through 48V mild-hybrid or full-hybrid systems to balance performance with emissions compliance. These new configurations will likely appear in next-generation models aligned with the rollout of Euro 7 standards later this decade. AMG's 3.0-litre inline-six engine, currently found in the CLE 53 and E 53, is expected to form the backbone of future 43- and 53-badged cars, replacing the four-cylinder units used in the C 43 and SL 43. Meanwhile, a new V8 is reportedly in development for top-tier AMG variants such as the anticipated CLE 63. Also Read : Mercedes-Benz rethinks EV plans, will retain combustion engines due to slower adoption Small AMG cars to go electric or disappear While the larger AMG offerings shift back to bigger engines, the future of smaller performance models looks electric—or uncertain. The A 45 hot hatch will not be replaced, and the CLA 45's successor is expected to be an all-electric performance sedan. The 2.0-litre hand-built four-cylinder engine, once a point of pride for AMG, will be confined to standard models like the CLA, GLA, and GLB, but not in AMG form. The SL43, which uses this engine, may also transition to either a six-cylinder or a detuned version of the 4.0-litre V8 found in the SL 55 and SL 63 roadsters. No immediate timeline Although a specific timeline for the transition hasn't been confirmed, industry insiders suggest that the change will coincide with the arrival of Euro 7 norms or the next generation of C and GLC Class models. In the meantime, the current four-cylinder hybrids will continue to be sold, despite their limited commercial success. Mercedes-AMG's decision signals a strategic recalibration: one that balances future regulatory demands with the emotional appeal that has traditionally defined its performance cars. The V8 may not roar as widely as before, but its return in key models shows that AMG isn't ready to let go of its legacy just yet. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 29 Jun 2025, 08:57 AM IST
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
View Exterior Photos of the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe
read the full review The 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe might be making do with a turbo four-cylinder instead of a twin-turbo V-6, but the car's underlying playful nature hasn't gone anywhere. The GLC43 Coupe is the next of kin to the megapowerful GLC63 S E Performance Coupe. But while the 63 uses a complex plug-in-hybrid system, the 43 runs on turbo-four power alone. The GLC43 shares its M139l turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with the GLC63. It's tuned to produce 416 horsepower in this car. AMG upgrades the GLC's chassis from the base Mercedes-Benz version with its own adaptive dampers, rear-wheel steering, stronger brakes, and fat summer tires. The changes make for an agile, sharp-handling vehicle that makes you forget you're driving an SUV. For 2024, AMG replaced the GLC43's 385-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 with a 416-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four. The GLC43 lights off with a playful snarl, a soundtrack that makes even trips to the corner store feel exciting. Unfortunately, the four-cylinder suffers from boost lag despite its high-tech turbo, which is exacerbated by the transmission's laggy response off the line. Keep going to check out even more pictures of the 2024 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe. You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Driven: Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe Snarls Like a Puppy, Bites Like a Big Dog
Some cars tell you what they're all about the moment you wake them up. The Mercedes-AMG GLC43 Coupe comes to life with the snarl of a happy puppy wanting to play. And what you hear is what you get: a feisty, fun-loving compact SUV that nips at your inner enthusiast. It's always ready to romp but is never vicious. The 416-hp GLC43 Coupe is the underdog to the overdog GLC63 S E Performance Coupe plug-in hybrid, which pounds out a combined 671 horses between its gas engine and electric motor. But don't be fooled by the 255-hp difference between these two; the GLC43 is lovable in its own right. Its M139l turbocharged four-cylinder is shared with the GLC63, and even here, the turbo four makes an impressive 416 horsepower, or 208 horsepower per liter. (In the GLC63 it belts out 469 horsepower, a mega number for such a small engine.) Both engines employ Mercedes's Formula 1–inspired electrically assisted turbocharger, which is intended to help the turbo spin up faster, mitigating boost lag and improving throttle response at lower revs. The GLC43's belt-driven starter-generator also adds 13 horsepower at low revs for the same purpose, though it's not factored into the engine's overall output. The turbo four channels its power through AMG's nine-speed automatic, which substitutes a wet clutch for a torque converter. The standard all-wheel-drive system is rear-biased, permanently splitting torque 31 percent front, 69 percent rear. In comparison to the GLC63's Rube Goldberg powertrain—a 4.8-kWh battery, two electric motors, and a two-speed gearbox for the rear-axle motor—the 43's setup seems from a simpler time. But less is also more: Absent the 63's mother lode of plug-in-hybrid hardware, the 43's curb weight should be considerably lighter, though we haven't been able to weigh either model. It's far less complex to boot. This is a good parts list, but in the end, the magic comes from how the engineers meld the pieces to work together. In the GLC43, it all clicks. This sporty SUV is a happy companion in almost every situation. The playful snarl on start-up lingers in the background as a constant presence that makes even modest acceleration sound exciting, let alone rips to the 7000-rpm redline. Thankfully, the raspy exhaust note quiets down to a distant hum during interstate cruising. Still, if you like your performance cars to speak in their indoor voice, this is not the one for you. The current model's 2.0-liter four replaced the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 that resided under the GLC43's hood through 2023. It delivers 31 more horsepower but loses 15 pound-feet of torque. We expect its 60-mph time to land around four seconds. Despite the electrified turbo and motor-generator assistance, there's still some lag below 2500 rpm; it takes a couple of beats for the engine to gather itself up when you push deep into the throttle. This dearth of low-end torque is exacerbated off the line by the transmission's wet clutch. It engages fluidly, but the take-up happens so slowly that moving off from a stoplight feels like driving through a vat of molasses until you're across the intersection. From that point, the power swells and the GLC43 surges ahead like a Jack Russell chasing a squirrel. Sadly, shaving two cylinders and one liter of displacement from the GLC43 Coupe's engine barely changes the overall fuel economy. The turbo four's 18-mpg EPA city number is but 1 mpg better than the previous V-6's, while its 24-mpg highway rating is unchanged. We'd wondered whether we'd like the turbocharged four-cylinder as much as the sonorous twin turbo V-6, and the answer is yes. It's not better, though, just different. Beyond the powertrain, AMG buttresses the GLC43's chassis with adaptive dampers and speed-dependent four-wheel steering. Summer tires, size 265/45R-20 front and 295/40R-20 rear as standard, promise ample cornering grip. The GLC43 drives cohesively, with direct steering, sharp brakes, and a taut ride that never gets harsh—even in Sport+ mode. It feels wide awake and ready to cut sharply into bends, even on the winter tires our test car was fitted with, but it settles down comfortably on the highway. It's never boring and always playful, even on trips to the supermarket. And if you want this formulation in a more conventional SUV profile, it's also available in the squareback GLC SUV body style. This being an AMG, the GLC43 Coupe is both well dressed and well equipped at its $71,750 base price. It uses Benz's crisply rendered, multilayered MBUX infotainment system, which is sometimes cumbersome to navigate through. As with other AMG products, it's easy to inflate the MSRP with all manner of goodies that don't alter the GLC43's core driving character. Our test car had more than $11,000 of those options: special paint, leather and carbon-fiber interior trim, a Burmester Surround Sound system, additional safety gear, black 21-inch AMG Y-spoke wheels (up from the standard 20s), dynamic engine mounts, AMG's Track Pace performance video-and-data recorder, and more. Had they all been absent, it wouldn't have changed how the GLC43 drives, or how we feel about it. The best cars are more than the sum of their parts, and the GLC43 manages to be exactly that. It offers a surprising and rewarding balance of capability and fun, with a side of SUV-ish practicality—a car that's ready to play whenever you are. Kind of like a happy puppy. And everyone loves puppies, don't they? 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