Mercedes-AMG has confirmed it will introduce a new iteration of its V8 engine by the end of 2026 as it doubles down on combustion power following its controversial move towards hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs).
Speaking to British outlet Car, Mercedes-AMG boss Michael Schiebe said the company is “doubling down on our internal combustion engine cars again”, with a refreshed V8 set to arrive in the German automaker’s SUVs later this year.
The updated bent-eight will then be rolled out across other AMG models, which are expected to include the limited-edition CLE63-based Mythos coupe.
Mr Schiebe didn’t share further details about the upcoming V8, though it’s expected to be an upgraded performance version of the mild-hybrid M177 Evo 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V8 recently introduced in the facelifted S-Class limousine.
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In the updated S580, due in Australia in 2027, the engine features a flat-plane crankshaft and 48-volt mild-hybrid technology to comply with Euro 7 emissions standards.
As fitted to the S580 sedan, the V8 produces 395kW of power and 750Nm of torque.
V8 power was previously offered in the AMG C63 before the mid-size sports sedan switched to a 2.0-litre four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain in 2024, a move which corresponded with a sharp sales decline.
Following the V8’s axing from the C63, Mr Schiebe previously told Car: “We see that some of our very loyal customers struggle a bit with the concept. Of course, no doubt we have also lost some customers who are just into V8s.”
This doesn’t mean the V8 will return to the C63, however, with the new mild-hybrid 3.0-litre inline turbo-petrol six from the facelifted GLC53 instead set to be introduced later this year and expected to arrive in Australian showrooms next year, though it hasn’t yet been officially confirmed.
“The [six-cylinder] engine will also come in our facelifted C-Class,” Mr Schiebe told Car.
The facelifted C63 will compete against the twin-turbo inline six-cylinder BMW M3, which will also be offered as an EV for the first time, and the twin-turbo V6-powered Audi RS5 PHEV.
Six-cylinder power is also expected to feature in the next-generation E63, following the use of V8 engines across three generations.
While Mercedes-AMG’s current four-cylinder PHEV powertrain – codenamed ‘P3 hybrid’ – also powers the GT coupe and SL roadster, it’s not guaranteed to continue across other AMG vehicles.
“I don’t want to give you more information as to whether we will see the P3 hybrid that we have at the moment in our GT and SL,” Mr Schiebe said.
“I will say here that we are still undecided [about its continued use] because we will have more power coming from the next generation of V8s.
“One of the downsides of the P3 powertrain was to do with the space. If you put the battery in the trunk, it came with a compromise. And, at the same time, it’s a lot of weight – if you want to have a lightweight car, sometimes it’s best to have a V8-only car.”
While it’s bringing back V8 power across more models, Mr Schiebe said AMG hasn’t abandoned EVs despite Mercedes-Benz and rivals such as Porsche and Audi walking back their previous EV sales targets.
“At the same time, we’ll put equal emphasis on our great EV lineup,” he added.
“There will be customers that want to have that combustion feeling, drive the combustion engine, and you can give them a really pure V8 experience,” he told Car.
“For those who want all of the EV KPIs [key performance indicators] in terms of acceleration and the ability to drive the car in complete silence, they can go all electric.”
The first dedicated electric Mercedes-AMG model is expected to be the GT 4-Door ‘Coupe’, previewed by the record-setting GT XX concept car, which employs four in-wheel electric motors.
There will also likely be AMG versions of the mid-size GLC electric SUV revealed last year, and the recently unveiled electric C-Class sedan, which are due in Australia in the second half of 2026 and 2027 respectively.