The Mercedes-AMG C63 and its four-cylinder plug-in hybrid drivetrain will be removed from the range reportedly due to European regulations.
In an interview Edmunds, Michael Schiebe, CEO of Mercedes-AMG, said the in-house tuner will be “replacing our four-cylinder” with “no hybrid engine [but a] pure inline six-cylinder”.
He told the American website the C63 will be, effectively, replaced by a new C53 model powered by the engine used in the CLE53 two-door. The C53 is expected to make its global debut in the second half of 2026.
CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal.
The CLE53 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine aided by a 48V mild hybrid system, which in total makes 330kW and 600Nm. It’s hooked up to a nine-speed automatic and an all-wheel drive system, allowing the coupe to complete the 0-100km/h dash in 4.0 seconds.
By way of comparison, the complex plug-in hybrid system in the C63 S E-Performance makes a total of 500kW and 1020Nm, and is capable of slingshotting the car from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds.
Presumably Mr Schiebe’s remarks regarding the purity of the engine refers to the lack of a plug-in hybrid system, as it seems likely the C53 will keep the CLE53’s mild hybrid setup.
Despite the overwhelmingly negative feedback from online commenters, Mr Schiebe says the AMG’s decision to axe the four-cylinder plug-in hybrid drivetrain is due to the upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations.
“Under the regulations of EU7, it’s quite difficult to carry [the four-cylinder PHEV drivetrain] into the future,” Mr Schiebe said. “That’s why we will stop offering the ‘M139’ and in the mid-size segment we will replace it with the inline six-cylinder.”
This seems to be an interesting spin on things given the Euro 7 rules approved in 2025 are significantly weaker than they were envisaged to be during the C63’s development.
In fact, the Euro 7 regulations carry over the test conditions and exhaust emissions limits from Euro 6. The main changes relate to brake particle emissions limits for cars and vans, minimum performance requirements for battery durability in electric and hybrid vehicles, and new tyre abrasion standards.
A report at the end of 2025 claimed the C63’s drivetrain will be axed due to new noise regulations in Europe.
With the C63 going the way of the dodo, the GLC63 will likely head the same way with a new GLC53 variant taking its place.