Latest news with #MichaelShiebe
Auto Blog
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Mercedes-AMG's Most Hated Engine Is Being Replaced
In 2025, there's still no replacement for displacement In a recent interview, Mercedes-AMG CEO Michael Shiebe admitted that converting fans of the brand's old V8 to the newer four-cylinder plug-in hybrid in the C63 has been a challenge. Prior to that, he said some customers have been lost in the midst of the brand's downsizing exercise. No intention to formally discontinue the four-pot engine was proposed, but that now seems to be happening, with a senior insider confirming that this unloved powertrain will be phased out in favor of larger inline-six and V8 mills. 2025 Audi S3 VS 2025 Mercedes-AMG CLA 35: Which one comes out on top? Watch More Mercedes-AMG Finally Admits Defeat 'Technically, the four-cylinder is one of the most advanced drivetrains available in a production car,' said the source who spoke to Autocar. 'It's also right up there on performance. But despite this, it failed to resonate with our traditional customers. We've recognized that.' Mercedes would not necessarily have to develop a new engine from scratch for smaller AMG models. In the E53 AMG, for instance, the company uses a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged hybrid that produces 577 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. It's not a direct BMW M5 rival, but it's not far off in terms of performance, either. This engine in a smaller AMG model could make for a special performance car. More exciting is the possibility of a new flat-plane crank V8, not dissimilar from the one in the GT Black Series. Whatever replaces the four-cylinder unit, it's sure to mark a return to the emotional character that has defined AMG models for so long. The current C63 S E Performance is a heck of a performer, boasting 671 hp and 752 lb-ft, but the previous V8-powered C63 set a high bar that it hasn't been able to surpass, no matter how quick it is. Other AMG Models Should Benefit From Bigger Engines Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The GLC 63 S E Performance shares the C63's 671-hp four-cylinder plug-in hybrid, so is also in line to get either a bigger six- or eight-cylinder engine in the years ahead. A notch below these full-fat AMG models are the AMG SL 43 Roadster and C43 sedan, both of which use a 416-hp version of the M139 four-cylinder engine. In a car of the SL's caliber and price, the use of a four-cylinder has been especially contentious, so we expect these models to ditch the 2.0L engine for a larger Six. Other than its more ordinary soundtrack, there's another reason to phase out the M139: It won't be easy or cost-effective to get it to comply with new Euro 7 emissions regulations. 'There's no doubt about its potential – this is one of the most sophisticated engines we've ever built – but the investment to make it EU7-compliant is very high,' said the insider. Markus Schäfer, Mercedes CTO, said at the same event that EVs and hybrid gas engines will continue being developed in tandem, and that the new V8 'will support upcoming emissions regulations.' Both six- and eight-cylinder engines will use either 48V or full hybrid systems. Ultimately, Merc's four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain looks like it will only last for a single generation, although a specific timeline wasn't given. Over time, it may come to be regarded as a rare misstep in AMG's legacy. That's only if you're a cylinder snob like most enthusiasts, of course; the current C63 and GLC 63 are brilliant performance vehicles in many respects. But their incredible technical achievements came at the expense of the emotional qualities of their predecessors. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
Miami Herald
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Mercedes-AMG's Most Hated Engine Is Being Replaced
In a recent interview, Mercedes-AMG CEO Michael Shiebe admitted that converting fans of the brand's old V8 to the newer four-cylinder plug-in hybrid in the C63 has been a challenge. Prior to that, he said some customers have been lost in the midst of the brand's downsizing exercise. No intention to formally discontinue the four-pot engine was proposed, but that now seems to be happening, with a senior insider confirming that this unloved powertrain will be phased out in favor of larger inline-six and V8 mills. "Technically, the four-cylinder is one of the most advanced drivetrains available in a production car," said the source who spoke to Autocar. "It's also right up there on performance. But despite this, it failed to resonate with our traditional customers. We've recognized that." Mercedes would not necessarily have to develop a new engine from scratch for smaller AMG models. In the E53 AMG, for instance, the company uses a 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged hybrid that produces 577 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque. It's not a direct BMW M5 rival, but it's not far off in terms of performance, either. This engine in a smaller AMG model could make for a special performance car. More exciting is the possibility of a new flat-plane crank V8, not dissimilar from the one in the GT Black Series. Whatever replaces the four-cylinder unit, it's sure to mark a return to the emotional character that has defined AMG models for so long. The current C63 S E Performance is a heck of a performer, boasting 671 hp and 752 lb-ft, but the previous V8-powered C63 set a high bar that it hasn't been able to surpass, no matter how quick it is. The GLC 63 S E Performance shares the C63's 671-hp four-cylinder plug-in hybrid, so is also in line to get either a bigger six- or eight-cylinder engine in the years ahead. A notch below these full-fat AMG models are the AMG SL 43 Roadster and C43 sedan, both of which use a 416-hp version of the M139 four-cylinder engine. In a car of the SL's caliber and price, the use of a four-cylinder has been especially contentious, so we expect these models to ditch the 2.0L engine for a larger Six. Other than its more ordinary soundtrack, there's another reason to phase out the M139: It won't be easy or cost-effective to get it to comply with new Euro 7 emissions regulations. "There's no doubt about its potential - this is one of the most sophisticated engines we've ever built - but the investment to make it EU7-compliant is very high," said the insider. Related: 2025 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance First Drive: Overkill through complexity Markus Schäfer, Mercedes CTO, said at the same event that EVs and hybrid gas engines will continue being developed in tandem, and that the new V8 "will support upcoming emissions regulations." Both six- and eight-cylinder engines will use either 48V or full hybrid systems. Ultimately, Merc's four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain looks like it will only last for a single generation, although a specific timeline wasn't given. Over time, it may come to be regarded as a rare misstep in AMG's legacy. That's only if you're a cylinder snob like most enthusiasts, of course; the current C63 and GLC 63 are brilliant performance vehicles in many respects. But their incredible technical achievements came at the expense of the emotional qualities of their predecessors. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Miami Herald
31-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Mercedes-AMG CEO Responds to the Backlash Around the C63's Four-Cylinder Engine
In recent years, loyal and passionate enthusiasts who dwell on forums, comment sections, and social media platforms have been very vocal about the changes that automakers enact on their beloved vehicles. Often, fans feel unrestrained to express their emotions and opinions when it comes to decisions that they see as controversial. No other phenomenon is just as apparent as the vocal internet enthusiast backlash surrounding the revamped Mercedes-Benz C63 S E-Performance, which swapped the 4-liter biturbo V8 for a turbocharged 2-liter inline four-cylinder with a performance-oriented plug-in hybrid system. Though it makes earth-shattering 671 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque, numbers on paper could only go so far. In a new interview with MotorTrend, Mercedes-AMG CEO Michael Shiebe addressed the response associated with the decision to replace the C63's brashly loud twin-turbo V8 powerplant for a turbo-hybrid four-banger in the new model. "We probably could have better explained the technology to our customers. There are pure V-8 fans, and it's hard to convince them of this four-cylinder hybrid technology," Schiebe told the publication, adding, "It's my job to do a constant review of our portfolio. I'm pretty confident that we will fulfill our customers' dreams in the next two to three years." The latest statement from the Mercedes-AMG CEO reflects similar ones in past interviews. In a July 2024 Autocar interview, Shiebe noted that some customers "take time to really be excited for the technology," and that "it's important to be open-minded when it comes to technology." Additionally, in an April 2025 interview with British CAR magazine, he admitted that some of AMG's "very loyal customers struggle[d] a bit with the concept," and that it "lost some customers who are just into V-8s." However, he felt confident that the doubt would melt away behind the wheel. "We jumped far ahead with this technology, but we should have explained the technology more to our salespeople and customers," the AMG boss 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." In the same interview, Shiebe noted that AMG's future cars will be distinctively AMG. When asked about how its future EVs would distinguish themselves among the lineup, he noted that "There won't be such a difference between them, because all these cars need to be an AMG first and then an ICE or EV second. When you buy an AMG, you buy the performance, the emotion." He also added that making AMG's offerings visually different than mainstream Mercedes-Benz models is as important as ever, noting that its buyers "love the distinctive AMG look and the differentiation it brings. Our future cars will be more expressive in that dimension. If you look into the future, I would say you can expect cars that will be more visually differentiated-AMG will be doubling down on design; our design language will be more expressive." Ultimately, buyers buy with their wallets, regardless of the badge on the hood, grille, and trunk lid. We live in complicated times, where automakers must juggle tariffs, electrification, and emissions regulations, as well as a vocal buying public that can drop the ball at any time. I don't think the decision to use a turbo-four was entirely made in a vacuum, but if the Affalterbach boffins are aware of the feedback to their product, they would probably know by now. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Motor 1
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Mercedes Says It Could Have 'Better Explained' the C63's Powertrain
The internet well and truly bashed Mercedes-AMG for swapping out the C63's snarling V-8 for a hybrid four-cylinder. So much bashing was done that AMG has hinted at replacing the four-cylinder in the near future. With that in mind, Mercedes-AMG CEO Michael Shiebe recently sat down with MotorTrend to reflect on AMG's direction. The interview produced an interesting snippet about the brand's most controversial AMG product to date. Photo by: Chris Rosales / Motor1 Regarding the car, Shiebe said, "We probably could have better explained the technology to our customers. There are pure V-8 fans, and it's hard to convince them of this four-cylinder hybrid technology." The statement keeps with the tone of Mercedes-AMG's previous communications on the product: It's the consumers who don't understand the product, not a fundamental problem with the product itself. That line of reasoning has held firm, even as AMG was forced to sell the C63 at crazy-steep discounts in order to move inventory. Shiebe noted later in the same interview that Mercedes-AMG also plans to build more visually distinctive cars to help separate AMG from Mercedes's mainline products. But that's never been the C63's problem; it's a gorgeous little car with excellent proportions, one that balances stealthy and sinister to perfection. Like all great AMG's, the C63 looks gorgeous in black. Photo by: Chris Rosales / Motor1 Indeed, we've driven and talked about the new four-cylinder C63 plenty—both on video and in a controversial column . In response to consumers' general outrage, Mercedes told us that falling in love with the new four-cylinder C63 would simply take time , even after admitting it lost customers over the switch away from V-8 power. It's unlikely that we'll drive a new V-8-powered C63 again, but here's hoping that the brand either nails its messaging strategy with the next car or listens to their customers; they tend to vote with their wallets. More On The C63 The AMG C63 Is Reportedly Dying. Mercedes Won't Comment Bad News: The AMG C63 Won't Get a V-8 Engine Source: MotorTrend Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
