The next C63 is in the works, with engineers exploring both gasoline and electric versions.
The AMG C63 might get a second chance, and this time buyers could choose between gasoline and electric power. After the controversial four-cylinder plug-in hybrid failed to win over many traditional AMG enthusiasts, Mercedes appears to be reconsidering its approach to the flagship C-Class performance model.
The company’s Chief Technology Officer, Jörg Burzer, has hinted that AMG could offer future 63-badged models with both gasoline and electric power. Speaking to Australian publication Drive, Burzer confirmed that “we’re working on both” when asked about the two powertrain options. Pressed on whether that could mean selling a gasoline-powered C63 alongside an electric counterpart, the executive repeated the same answer, suggesting Affalterbach is exploring both possibilities without officially confirming plans for a dual-powertrain C63 lineup.
Either way, the C63 nameplate appears to be on the comeback trail, potentially spanning both combustion-powered and electric models. That would give AMG two ways to tackle the high-performance sedan segment as Mercedes expands its electric lineup while keeping gasoline engines around for customers who aren’t ready to make the switch.
2024 Mercedes C63 S E Performance
This is a significant shift for a model that has spent years building its reputation on big engines, rear-wheel-drive antics, and an unmistakable exhaust note. The latest C63 tried to reinvent that formula with a downsized engine and plug-in hybrid assistance, but we all know how that turned out…
Mercedes-AMG has already confirmed that the four-cylinder C63 will bow out. An inline-six-powered C53 is expected to take its place as an interim performance model, using a turbocharged 3.0-liter engine without plug-in hybrid assistance. Logic suggests it’ll use the same powertrain as the GLC 53, with the six-cylinder engine producing 443 hp and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. A 10-second overboost function increases torque to 472 lb-ft (640 Nm).
That doesn’t necessarily mean the C63 badge is gone for good. A future generation could bring it back with a different combustion engine, although a V8 remains far from guaranteed. Mercedes has confirmed plans to keep its V8 engines alive into the 2030s, but executives have previously said they don’t plan to bring eight-cylinder power to the current-generation C-Class. The car recently received its mid-cycle facelift, leaving little time to recoup the investment required to develop and certify a V8-powered version.
2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance
The other possibility is an electric C63 based on the new battery-powered C-Class. Mercedes has already introduced an electric version of its popular sedan, opening the door for AMG to develop a more aggressive derivative. The challenge is that electric performance alone might not be enough to win over traditional C63 buyers. The previous model proved that impressive horsepower figures don’t automatically translate into enthusiast appeal. AMG would need to deliver the engaging driving experience that made earlier C63 generations so memorable.
Offering both combustion and electric versions would let Mercedes-AMG appeal to two very different customer groups. Buyers who still want a gasoline engine could get a conventional performance sedan, while those ready to embrace electrification would have a battery-powered alternative.
It would also mirror Mercedes’ broader strategy of developing electric and combustion-powered models side by side rather than forcing every customer into the same type of powertrain. BMW is taking a similar approach, launching an electric M3 next year before introducing another generation of its six-cylinder sports sedan in 2028.
At Mercedes, however, the precise formula remains unclear. The three-pointed-star company hasn’t published specifications, performance figures, or a launch timeline for a new C63, and the possibility of separate gasoline and electric versions shouldn’t be mistaken for a finalized product plan.
Still, the prospect of bringing back the C63 in some form is encouraging news for enthusiasts. The current car’s departure leaves a significant gap in the AMG lineup, particularly for buyers who want a sporty sedan that can go toe-to-toe with the BMW M3 or Audi’s new RS5, which uses a plug-in hybrid V6 powertrain.
Whether the next C63 runs on gasoline, electricity, or eventually both, Mercedes-AMG has a chance to get the formula right this time. After the reception the four-cylinder plug-in hybrid received, Affalterbach knows it can’t rely on headline-grabbing horsepower figures alone.
If a next-generation C63 with a gasoline engine is in the cards, don’t expect it before 2030, given the current C-Class’s recent facelift. An electric C63 could arrive sooner, though nothing has been officially confirmed.
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