Bent-eight backflip: AMG aiming to keep V8 for C63 and E63 with alterations to meet Euro7 emission standards - report

The V8 might not be quite dead yet as far as AMG is concerned, with reports from insiders suggesting the venerable eight-cylinder engine could live on to meet strict emission standards with some modification.

Reliable reports from overseas say that underwhelming initial sales of the new turbo four-cylinder hybrid AMG C63S E Performance has prompted senior brass at AMG to move on reimplementing the V8.

In a massive backflip, it could see the engine reinstated in a modified hybrid form for the new C63 as well as the new E63 according to a report from US outlet Car and Driver, with the hybrid C63 remaining an option.

According to the report, which comes from a European correspondent for the outlet, senior engineers say only minor bodywork changes to the new C- and E-Class would be required to accommodate the engine, plug-in hybrid system and ancillary additions.

The current models of each sedan are also on the cards for a lifespan beyond 2028 according to insiders, which means there could be a V8 under the snout of some of AMG's models at the decade's end.

The M177 V8 could make its way back to the C-Class and E-Class by 2026, though its exact specifications by that point, after the redevelopment work is done, is hard to pin-point.

The V8 might not be quite dead yet as far as AMG is concerned.

It would at least need to provide performance competitive to the current four-cylinder C63, which boasts a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine and electric motor outputting 500kW and 1020Nm, enough for a 0-100km/h sprint in 3.4 seconds. The last AMG C63 could cover that in 4.0 seconds.

Currently, the M177 is found in a similar hybrid form in the AMG S63 E Performance and the GT63S E-Performance, where it makes 590kW/1430Nm and 620kW/1400Nm respectively with assistance from the hybrid system.

While AMG's hybridised S-Class isn't available for Australia, the GT63S E-Performance was this month priced for order in Australia at $399,900 before on-roads.

If the V8-powered C63S E Performance ends up in Australia, it might not cost that much, nor might its output figures quite match the big Benz's 620kW/1400Nm. Stay tuned.