Mercedes is seriously considering giving up on its plan to use a Formula One-derived four-cylinder hybrid engine in the future AMG CLE63 in favor of a twin-turbo V8 engine, which is expected to be less powerful. No matter how much horsepower a hybrid engine makes, the allure of a big V8 and the image it gives off is more important than any performance claims AMG may make. The decision to equip the Mercedes-AMG CLE63 with eight cylinders is believed to have come from senior company officials. They argue that the new coupe and cabriolet will feature a V8 engine due to the underperformance of the current E-Performance plug-in hybrid C63 and GLC63. These models, which boast an electric motor on the rear axle and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing a substantial 671 horsepower and 752 lb-ft of torque, have not been selling well, according to Autocar. Autocar says that the CLE63 will have Mercedes’ most up-to-date M177 4.0-liter V8, which has two turbochargers and mild hybrid technology to make 577 horsepower. Depending on who you ask, this is either a nice gain of four cylinders or a big loss of 94 horsepower. Some might say that the M-B subsidiary’s only job is to achieve pure performance, while others might say that AMG is just following a market trend. Others, though, say that AMG’s use of V8 engines is more in line with how nature heals and that the company is listening to its customers. Autocar says that Markus Schäfer, who is in charge of Mercedes-Benz R&D, said that it is “up to customers to decide” if AMG will keep using smaller hybrid engines in its cars. It looks like people have spoken with their wallets because the new V8-powered C63 and GLC63 are cheaper than the ones that came before them. Also, Mercedes dealers told Autocar that buyers will need help understanding why the four-cylinder CLE63 is placed higher in the AMG line than the six-cylinder CLE53. Those possible buyers must have yet to learn much about Formula One because that’s where the AMG C63’s hybrid heart was created. The potential switch of the AMG CLE63 to a four-cylinder PHEV is becoming less likely, especially since the V8 alternative hasn’t been officially confirmed. Mercedes-AMG announced last year that the C63 and E63 would reintroduce V8 engines by 2026. While AMG swiftly dismissed the rumors, it seems the V8 might make a comeback if there’s enough demand. If this shift occurs, it could significantly alter the market dynamics, with larger engines regaining popularity over smaller, more powerful ones.
