Well, it seems that there truly is no replacement for displacement, Mercedes-Benz agrees
The highly anticipated Mercedes-AMG CLE63 is expected to debut any day now. Initially, it was believed that this model would feature the same 671hp four-cylinder hybrid powertrain as the C63. However, according to a report from Autocar, this is no longer the case. Instead, Mercedes-Benz appears to be reverting to a V-8 engine for this high-performance model.
Autocar, citing “senior officials” at Mercedes-Benz, claims that the CLE63 will now be equipped with a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine with mild-hybrid assist, producing up to 585hp. This change means the CLE63 will have nearly 100 horsepower less than originally planned. Looks like there really is no replacement for displacement, huh?
Moreover, while it remains uncertain if a plug-in hybrid powertrain is still being considered, prototypes with charging ports have been spotted. Additionally, one prototype was recorded emitting very little sound, suggesting Mercedes-Benz has been testing electrified versions, potentially including the four-cylinder setup.
The shift to V8 power may be a recent decision driven by public criticism of the high-output four-cylinder engine. Autocar suggests that slower sales of the C-Class in Europe might have influenced this change. In the United States, C-Class sales have only dropped slightly in the first quarter of 2024, showing a three percent decline compared to last year.
On top of that, it is important to note that the new C63 models are just now arriving at UK dealerships, with US pricing announced in mid-April but the car is yet to go on sale. Mercedes-Benz has faced criticism for replacing the V8 in the C63 with a four-cylinder hybrid, but there isn’t enough sales data to determine if buyers are truly rejecting the hybrid.
If the reports of sales being affected as a result are true, then this is a rare win for enthusiasts in a world where we have been dealt losses after losses with the governments of the world pushing hard for electric vehicles (EVs) and more carmakers abandoning their petrol and diesel powered vehicles instead so let’s rejoice that we finally got a carmaker to listen for once.
If Autocar’s report is correct, the CLE63 will sit above the CLE53 in the Mercedes-Benz lineup, which has a 443hp twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, but it will have significantly less power than the C63. All details should become clear later this year when the CLE63 officially debuts.
We got all this from Motor 1 and their full article is linked here. Thank you Motor 1 for the information and images.
