Mercedes-AMG to Drop Four-Cylinder for Inline-Sixes and V-8s
Mercedes-AMG is preparing to phase out the plug-in hybrid powertrain that uses the M139 2.0-liter inline-four engine.
Acknowledging that the four-cylinder "failed to resonate" with customers, the automaker's performance division will move forward with inline-six and V-8 engines.
The four-cylinder PHEV setup is currently found in the C63 sedan and the GLC63 crossover, but has faced criticism from fans of the V-8 engines found in previous iterations of these AMG models.
Mercedes-AMG is transitioning away from the four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain and back towards the inline-six and V-8 powertrains more traditionally associated with the brand. That isn't to say that AMG had a change of heart concerning the merits of the four-cylinder powertrain, but rather that the automaker is responding to customer criticisms. "Technically, the four-cylinder is one of the most advanced drivetrains available in a production car. It's also right up there on performance. But despite this, it failed to resonate with our traditional customers. We've recognized that," a source at Mercedes told Autocar.
The report says that the 671-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain will be phased out of the current C63 and GLC63 models, and that the M139 turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine could also be dropped from other AMG models such as the SL43 in favor of an inline-six. We also know that AMG is moving forward with a new-generation V-8 engine, which will be used in 48-volt hybrid and plug-in hybrid applications.
C/D also spoke with AMG chief Michael Schiebe at the reveal of the AMG GT XX electric concept car. Although Schiebe would not confirm the demise of the four-cylinder hybrid setup, when asked about this powertrain he said, "we need to cater to the demands of customers." He emphasized a "two pillar" strategy for AMG going forward, including the continuation of combustion engines such as the new V-8 and the new electric platform called AMG.EA that will underpin the production version of the XX concept sports sedan and an electric SUV variant to follow.
AMG Hybrids Are Here to Stay
Although the four-cylinder may be on its way out, Schiebe did say AMG remains committed to plug-in hybrids. "There are a lot of advantages of combining electric motors with combustion engines," Schiebe said. "We want to offer different kinds of drivetrain opportunities on the combustion side to our customers, so they can choose for whatever purpose they want to use the car."
Mercedes-AMG
M139 four-cylinder in the AMG C63 S E Performance
Much of the criticism of the C63 and GLC63's powertrain was focused on the lackluster sound when compared with the symphony of a V-8. The M139 drew our ire for sounding "reedy" and "buzzy" in our test of the current C63. The C63's hybrid system also brings the car's curb weight up to nearly 5000 pounds, meaning it didn't provide a meaningful performance boost over its V-8 predecessor despite offering significantly more horsepower.
Not long after the debut of the C63, which arrived in the U.S. for the 2024 model year, there were murmurs about the V-8 returning to this model as soon as 2026. AMG wouldn't confirm exactly when the four-cylinder will be phased out, telling Autocar that it will remain in production for the time being before "eventually" being replaced.
Jack Fitzgerald
Associate News Editor
Jack Fitzgerald's love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1.
After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn't afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf. Read full bio
Joey Capparella
Deputy Editor, Rankings Content
Despite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City. Read full bio
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