The V8 engine was the gold standard for making horsepower and torque. For many decades, automakers relied on the larger displacement of the V8 engine to produce enormous amounts of power, with some cars making good horsepower without the use of a turbocharger and well over 1,000 horsepower with the addition of forced induction. But as time goes on, those days are looking to be long gone.
Nowadays, many automakers have turned to incorporating smaller four-cylinder engines in their cars. These little engines typically displace around 1.6 to 2.0 liters and are highly fuel-efficient. But with the addition of a turbocharger, they can produce much more power. What’s even better is that manufacturers are now strapping these turbocharged little engines to electric motors for even more of an assist, which could lead to over twice the power output, making the use of a V8 engine obsolete. Don’t believe us? Check out this luxury performance sedan with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that rivals V8s.
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The 2025 Mercedes-Benz C63 S E Performance Redefines Performance With Hybrid Muscle
For years, if you wanted a Mercedes-Benz C-Class with more power, you would have to opt for the C63. The crazy scientists at AMG have been offering the C63 for years, which was a more posh alternative to rivals like the BMW M3. That also meant stepping up in powertrains to a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that produced 503 horsepower, which is music to any driving enthusiast’s ears. However, the latest iteration of the Mercedes-AMG C63 is now powered by a hybrid setup, which sounds blasphemous to die-hard sports car nerds, but it’s cooler than you would think.
Under The Hood: Turbocharged Four-Cylinder With F1 Tech
|
Engine |
Horsepower |
Torque |
0-60 MPH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 with 201-hp AC Motor |
671 hp |
752 lb-ft |
2.9 seconds |
Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance
Under the C63 S E Performance’s hood is a hand-built turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine that’s mated to a 201-horsepower electric motor that is mounted at the rear axle, which is a system derived from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team. That electric motor gets its juice from a 4.8-kWh battery pack, which makes it good for about six miles of all-electric driving. No, this isn’t your normal plug-in hybrid, but it’s so much better.
In terms of performance, this fire-breathing hybrid C63 can go from 0 to 60 mph in only 2.9 seconds, which is as fast as the Tesla Model S Plaid and other performance sedans like the Porsche Panamera Turbo S. According to Mercedes, the C63 can hit a top speed of 174 mph, but we doubt anyone would be trying for those speeds on the street.
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The C63 S E Has A Comfortable Interior And Elegant Design
Inside, the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance has a cabin that’s not too different from its civilian C-Class counterpart. The main exception is its unique upholstery and stitching patterns, in addition to its AMG-branded sport seats that feature thick bolstering and cutouts to save weight. There are also plenty of convenience features around the cabin, like a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats with ventilation, and an available heated steering wheel and acoustic glass for more sound deadening.
The C63 also comes equipped with an 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen that is integrated into the center stack. That screen is accompanied by a 12.3-inch driver information display that shows the driver all the pertinent information about the car, it’s configurable as well. The car also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, in addition to a high-end Burmester audio system. All things considered, the Mercedes-AMG C63 is an avid performer with a comfortable interior that should suit those with a daily commute.
Ride and Handling
Speaking of commuting, critics have described the C63 Performance’s ride quality as being firm, but not harsh, and its steering to be well-weighted and tactile. The car’s stopping distance is also improved over the outgoing version, only needing 139 feet to stop from 70 mph. By comparison, the 2023 model took 157 feet to stop from the same speed.
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How the C63 S E Stacks Up Against Its Rivals
While a car like the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance may seem untouchable, considering how much power it puts out, there are some rivals that can nip at its heels. Some of these competitors include:
- Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing
- BMW M4
- Tesla Model S Plaid
- Porsche Panamera Turbo S
Compared to its rivals, the C63 Performance produces as much horsepower and even more torque, which is a further testament to its surprising performance. It also provides buyers with a good value, given its price point.
Pricing
|
Vehicle |
MSRP |
|
2025 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance |
$89,250 |
|
2025 Porsche Panamera Turbo S |
$175,000 |
|
Tesla Model S Plaid |
$91,630 |
|
2025 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing |
$88,950 |
|
2025 BMW M4 CS |
$125,325 |
As we can see, the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance undercuts most of its competition when it comes to price, but offers just as much if not more performance, making it an excellent value for the money.
This High-Performance Sedan Could Be The Future Of AMG Performance
Considering Mercedes-AMG is currently working on forthcoming models like the GLC S E Performance Coupe and SUV, both of which use a similar hybrid setup, in addition to the GT 63 PRO, which uses a biturbo V8 engine, it’s safe to say that the C63 S E Performance is a step toward the future. While it’s easy to scoff at hybrid powertrains and think of them as being only made for fuel efficiency, the Mercedes-AMG C63 proves that the assistance of an electric motor can do so much more.
Especially considering this thing puts out nearly three times the power of the regular C 300 sedan, which makes 255 horsepower from its turbocharged four-cylinder. So, although the latest iteration of the Mercedes-AMG C63 may seem blasphemous to V8 fans, we think they will reconsider when they realize that turbocharging and an electric motor are the perfect replacement for displacement.