Mercedes-AMG insists on a 4-cylinder engine despite clients do not want it

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Although AMG boss Michael Schiebe admits Mercedes-AMG lost out on some clients who don’t want small engines, he wants to persuade them to accept this technical solution.

In 2022, Mercedes made a shocking decision and ditched the AMG V8 engine on the new-generation AMG C 63 and AMG GLC 63 in favor of the PHEV P3 Hybrid system based on a 4-cylinder engine that only has 2.0-liters. The decision has sparked numerous comments from fans on social media.

While the new P3 Hybrid (electrified rear axle) models may have more power on paper than the previous V8 generations, they don’t offer the same driving thrill. Combining a small displacement internal combustion engine and a powerful electric motor doesn’t deliver the driving pleasure that AMG customers want.

Mercedes has not published AMG sales for several years since it split its model line-up into Top-End, Core, and Entry-Level categories. AMG models are part of the Top-End segment, along with the G-Class, S-Class, GLS, EQS/EQS SUV, and Maybach.
In 2024, Top-End sales fell dramatically by 14% to 281,500 units and this drop can also be blamed on AMG’s falling sales.

AMG boss Michael Schiebe admitted in an interview with British Car magazine “Of course, we have undoubtedly also lost some customers who only like V8 cars.”
However, Schiebe still believes in the small-engined PHEV concept and says Mercedes should have explained the concept better to salespeople and customers. From this, we suppose that AMG boss doesn’t want to give up on the idea.

However, in May 2024, some rumors surfaced that the twin-turbo V8 engine would return, and in some spy shots, the future AMG CLE 63 appeared without the charging port.

But switching from the P3 Hybrid system to the twin-turbo V8 is complex, and costly and would also negatively affect fleet CO2 emissions. That’s why we think the AMG C 63 and AMG GLE 63 will keep their P3 Hybrid after the facelift.

Mercedes-AMG CLE 63 with V8 bi-turbo?

However, the change could happen with the new AMG CLE 63. The entry-level AMG CLE 53 is powered by the classic PHEV system based on a 3.0-liter inline-six engine and an electric motor. Therefore, it would not be appropriate for the more powerful version to have an engine with fewer cylinders. There are rumors that the only remaining coupe in the Mercedes lineup will have a V8 under the hood, but it’s not 100% certain. The AMG CLE 63 could be the exception that proves the rule.

However, Schiebe has ruled out the upcoming Mercedes-AMG E 63 getting the famous V8 even though the base AMG model of the E-Class, the Mercedes-AMG E 53, also has an inline-six under the hood. If the upcoming AMG E 63 were to get the 4-cylinder engine, it would be inappropriate for the lower-powered AMG E 53 to have a multi-cylinder engine than the top AMG E 63.

This dilemma will no longer exist with the successor to the AMG GT 4-door Coupe, which will be 100% electric and will be up to 1000 PS. On the same platform, the AMG EA will also build an electric super SUV.

On the other hand, Schiebe says, “We will continue to invest in combustion engines without an end date, but we will not slow down the pace of electrification.” But he believes that long term, the future is all electric “We are moving completely into a fully electric future. That is unbeatable.”