Mercedes-AMG Officially Discontinues The Hated Four-Cylinder Engine
Mercedes-Benz has officially admitted defeat regarding one of its most controversial engineering decisions in recent history. The German automaker confirmed that the four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain found in the current C63 S E-Performance is being retired from the lineup. This specific model faced immense criticism from enthusiasts who felt it lacked the soul and character of its predecessors. Despite boasting impressive horsepower figures on paper the market response to the downsized engine was undeniably cold.
Michael Schiebe who serves as the CEO of AMG confirmed this drastic lineup change in a recent conversation with the automotive outlet Edmunds. He revealed that the complex four-cylinder system will be replaced by a larger engine configuration to better suit buyer expectations. The immediate successor will not be a V8 model but rather a vehicle carrying the C53 badge powered by an inline-six engine. This strategic move effectively ends the short and troubled life of the four-cylinder flagship C-Class sedan.
The technical specifications of the outgoing engine were staggering with a combined output of roughly 670 horsepower but the driving experience did not match the premium price tag. Owners frequently complained about the extreme weight caused by the heavy battery system and the lack of an emotional exhaust note. The incoming 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine known internally as the M256M will produce approximately 449 horsepower. While this represents a decrease in raw power figures it offers the mechanical smoothness and acoustic richness that customers in this segment demand.
Interestingly the executive provided a regulatory explanation for this sudden shift rather than blaming slow sales figures alone. Schiebe claimed that adapting the high-performance four-cylinder unit to meet incoming Euro 7 emission standards proved to be unexpectedly difficult and costly. This reasoning has raised eyebrows among industry analysts since downsizing was originally pitched as the ultimate solution to stricter environmental regulations. Regardless of the official excuse the outcome remains a victory for those who believe a luxury performance car needs more than four cylinders to be successful.
There is still a glimmer of hope for dedicated fans who are waiting for the return of the legendary eight-cylinder engine. The company confirmed that a completely new V8 engine is currently in development although it is not yet promised for the C-Class specifically. The harsh lesson learned from this experiment is that performance numbers alone cannot compensate for a lack of character and emotional connection. Mercedes is now correcting course to ensure their future AMG models possess the prestige and driving dynamics that originally built the brand.
Let us know if you think Mercedes made the right choice by killing the four-cylinder engine in the comments.
