Mercedes-AMG V8s Will Return Because Nobody Wants A Turbo Four
The move marks the end of a very brief era at AMG where the automaker threw a rather controversial plug-in-hybrid turbocharged four-cylinder motor under the hood of the current C63 sedan. It didn't really gain much traction with customers, and it has led to a pretty significant sales drop for one of AMG's best-selling products, according to Autocar. The V8, which is being reborn in the upcoming AMG CLE63, will soon be rolled out to other models too, including an updated C63 sedan that is due in 2026.
Even though the motor will be based on AMG's current 4.0-liter V8 motor, it will not be a one-to-one carryover. Chiefly, the engine will go from a cross-plane crank to a flat-plane crank design. There are some real benefits to this for the driver, but it will come at the expense of an AMG characteristic car enthusiasts love: the noise. Here's more from Autocar:
This promises to improve throttle response but will sacrifice the deep, burbling soundtrack traditionally associated with AMG V8s.
This layout, first adopted by AMG on the GT Black Series' M178 LS2 engine in 2021, also enables a more compact crankcase design, allowing AMG to package the new engine into models that weren't originally engineered for a V8, including the fifth-generation C-Class.
It also provides the scope for a higher redline and ignition cut-out.
In its ultimate form, the new V8 is expected to receive a mild-hybrid system with an integrated starter-motor within the gearbox for added power boosting and greater efficiency.
Read more: New EVs Still Can't Beat The Efficiency Of A Plug-In Hybrid
While the current C63's plug-in hybrid four-cylinder might not be to everyone's liking, there's no denying that it doesn't pack a punch. Mercedes says the little motor produces 671 horsepower and a monstrous 752 lb-ft of torque. That's enough to get the compact sedan from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds. It's a really impressive thing from an engineering standpoint. Unfortunately, it was always just sort of missing that je ne sais quoi you'd get from the V8 AMGs — even if those had a lot less power.
It's going to be interesting to see what this move does to the resale value of four-cylinder C63s. You've gotta assume it's going to be a bit of a blood bath, as is usually the case with AMG cars. However, I'd expect that to be even more noticeable because it'll be the car sandwiched between two V8 C63s. That's going to hurt.
Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why Does Aston Martin Use Mercedes-AMG V8s Instead Of Building Its Own?
Aston Martin knows a thing or two about building engines. The DB5's inline-6 sings a sensual exhaust note, which James Bond's eardrums can register only because he uses silenced pistols. Early V8 Vantage cars sound like barely restrained tigers attempting to purr. The noise from a V12 Vantage could make Johann Sebastian Bach quit composing, knowing that the greatest sound the human ear will ever experience has already been found. But listening to the powerful, sharp, opulently stitched new Aston Martin Vantage S (or any post-2017 V8 Aston), you might think it sounds familiar, that perhaps some German influence had snuck in like a few drops of doppelbock in your pint of bitter. That's because Britain's classy GT manufacturer skipped across the Channel to see if it could borrow a cup of AMG from Mercedes. To be clear, the company still makes its own V12s, but Mercedes-AMG generously providing V8s is what makes this possible. When the DB11 started offering Mercedes-AMG V8 power for the 2018 model year, it wasn't out of the blue. The automakers signed a partnership agreement in 2013 that provided Aston Martin with Mercedes-AMG V8s, electrical tech, and infotainment systems. Top Gear reported that Ian Minards, Aston's product development director, said, "Working with AMG in this way, while, of course, remaining independent and preserving the unique character and style of Aston Martin that has been the mainstay of the company throughout its 100-year history, points to a very bright future." Yes, "independent," a word that was surely important to Aston Martin after Ford dropped the marque in the laps of some investors in 2007 for $925 million after about 30 years of control. Now Aston Martin wants — and gets — the benefits of shared tech without losing its freedom. Read more: These Are The Most Forgettable Cars Won't Get Forded Again Speaking of 2007, a year that brought the Great Recession to the world's economy, Ford was interested in trimming some fat to, you know, live. In Ford Motor Company's 2007 Annual Report, page 18, the company states, "We took actions to reduce Automotive long-term debt by $2.7 billion and monetized our investements in certain non-core assets (e.g., Aston Martin Lagonda Group Limited)." The only thing that probably stung more than claims that Aston's V12s were just conjoined Ford Duratec V6s was being referred to as a "non-core asset." (Ford followed this up by selling Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008 and Volvo in 2010. These were the other three European brands in Ford's "Premiere Automotive Group," in addition to the Blue Oval's legacy Lincoln and Mercury divisions.) It's not like everything was rosy for Aston after the Ford divorce, either. The company experienced its shares of ups and downs, with about $120 million in losses in 2014 and 300 jobs evaporating in 2015, only to bounce back in 2018 by appearing on the London Stock Exchange with an estimated value of $5.78 billion. Then it famously hemorrhaged $1.8 million every day in 2024. Even in 2025, its current earnings report shows a 34% revenue reduction when comparing the second quarter of 2024 to the same period in 2025, which Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark mostly attributed to "The evolving and disruptive U.S. tariff situation." Still, Aston fiercely values independence and is careful about its partnerships. In the Aston Martin Code of Conduct, page 19 describes its standards for choosing partners, establishing that "before entering into any relationships, we carry out due dilligence to ensure we know who we are really working with." Aston Martin Will Stay On Mercedes Life Support For The Foreseeable Future Perhaps Aston's caution is the result of dealing with Ford. Regardless, the Mercedes-AMG partnership seems to be mutually beneficial. Mercedes-Benz increased its 5% stake to 20% in 2020, and AMG's Tobias Moers became Aston Martin's CEO the same year, though he stepped down in 2022. Current CEO Adrian Hallmark wants to make Aston profitable by the end of 2026, halving the time he took to turn around Bentley as its chief executive. The best part, though, is that Aston plans to continue making Mercedes, you deserve a kiss on the cheek for making this possible. In 2023, Aston was anticipating a time when its V12 would disappear due to emissions regulations, and Roberto Fedeli, chief technical officer, told Autocar that "without Mercedes we could be in trouble. At the same time, Mercedes isn't just an engine for us, it's [also] the base electrical architecture." Aston's AMG-powered models include the DB12, Vantage, Valhalla, and DBX SUV. For those who wish Aston Martin designed 100% of its power trains, it seems the decision if you want a V8 is between Mercedes power or no Aston Martin. Besides, this isn't the first time non-Mercedes vehicles have sported awesome AMG engines. The long-snooted Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 got roided up when DaimlerChrysler made a rare good decision by stuffing it full of 330 hp AMG supercharged V6. And Pagani's Zonda, Huayra, Imola, and surprisingly adept flooded-Dubai-street forder Utopia all boast Mercedes V12s. Mercedes-AMG also provides 2.0-liter turbo inline-4s for the Lotus Emira, a combo only available with an automatic transmission because the world is sometimes dramatically unfair. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Why Does Aston Martin Use Mercedes-AMG V8s Instead Of Building Its Own?
Aston Martin knows a thing or two about building engines. The DB5's inline-6 sings a sensual exhaust note, which James Bond's eardrums can register only because he uses silenced pistols. Early V8 Vantage cars sound like barely restrained tigers attempting to purr. The noise from a V12 Vantage could make Johann Sebastian Bach quit composing, knowing that the greatest sound the human ear will ever experience has already been found. But listening to the powerful, sharp, opulently stitched new Aston Martin Vantage S (or any post-2017 V8 Aston), you might think it sounds familiar, that perhaps some German influence had snuck in like a few drops of doppelbock in your pint of bitter. That's because Britain's classy GT manufacturer skipped across the Channel to see if it could borrow a cup of AMG from Mercedes. To be clear, the company still makes its own V12s, but Mercedes-AMG generously providing V8s is what makes this possible. When the DB11 started offering Mercedes-AMG V8 power for the 2018 model year, it wasn't out of the blue. The automakers signed a partnership agreement in 2013 that provided Aston Martin with Mercedes-AMG V8s, electrical tech, and infotainment systems. Top Gear reported that Ian Minards, Aston's product development director, said, "Working with AMG in this way, while, of course, remaining independent and preserving the unique character and style of Aston Martin that has been the mainstay of the company throughout its 100-year history, points to a very bright future." Yes, "independent," a word that was surely important to Aston Martin after Ford dropped the marque in the laps of some investors in 2007 for $925 million after about 30 years of control. Now Aston Martin wants — and gets — the benefits of shared tech without losing its freedom. Read more: These Are The Most Forgettable Cars Won't Get Forded Again Speaking of 2007, a year that brought the Great Recession to the world's economy, Ford was interested in trimming some fat to, you know, live. In Ford Motor Company's 2007 Annual Report, page 18, the company states, "We took actions to reduce Automotive long-term debt by $2.7 billion and monetized our investements in certain non-core assets (e.g., Aston Martin Lagonda Group Limited)." The only thing that probably stung more than claims that Aston's V12s were just conjoined Ford Duratec V6s was being referred to as a "non-core asset." (Ford followed this up by selling Jaguar and Land Rover in 2008 and Volvo in 2010. These were the other three European brands in Ford's "Premiere Automotive Group," in addition to the Blue Oval's legacy Lincoln and Mercury divisions.) It's not like everything was rosy for Aston after the Ford divorce, either. The company experienced its shares of ups and downs, with about $120 million in losses in 2014 and 300 jobs evaporating in 2015, only to bounce back in 2018 by appearing on the London Stock Exchange with an estimated value of $5.78 billion. Then it famously hemorrhaged $1.8 million every day in 2024. Even in 2025, its current earnings report shows a 34% revenue reduction when comparing the second quarter of 2024 to the same period in 2025, which Aston Martin CEO Adrian Hallmark mostly attributed to "The evolving and disruptive U.S. tariff situation." Still, Aston fiercely values independence and is careful about its partnerships. In the Aston Martin Code of Conduct, page 19 describes its standards for choosing partners, establishing that "before entering into any relationships, we carry out due dilligence to ensure we know who we are really working with." Aston Martin Will Stay On Mercedes Life Support For The Foreseeable Future Perhaps Aston's caution is the result of dealing with Ford. Regardless, the Mercedes-AMG partnership seems to be mutually beneficial. Mercedes-Benz increased its 5% stake to 20% in 2020, and AMG's Tobias Moers became Aston Martin's CEO the same year, though he stepped down in 2022. Current CEO Adrian Hallmark wants to make Aston profitable by the end of 2026, halving the time he took to turn around Bentley as its chief executive. The best part, though, is that Aston plans to continue making Mercedes, you deserve a kiss on the cheek for making this possible. In 2023, Aston was anticipating a time when its V12 would disappear due to emissions regulations, and Roberto Fedeli, chief technical officer, told Autocar that "without Mercedes we could be in trouble. At the same time, Mercedes isn't just an engine for us, it's [also] the base electrical architecture." Aston's AMG-powered models include the DB12, Vantage, Valhalla, and DBX SUV. For those who wish Aston Martin designed 100% of its power trains, it seems the decision if you want a V8 is between Mercedes power or no Aston Martin. Besides, this isn't the first time non-Mercedes vehicles have sported awesome AMG engines. The long-snooted Chrysler Crossfire SRT-6 got roided up when DaimlerChrysler made a rare good decision by stuffing it full of 330 hp AMG supercharged V6. And Pagani's Zonda, Huayra, Imola, and surprisingly adept flooded-Dubai-street forder Utopia all boast Mercedes V12s. Mercedes-AMG also provides 2.0-liter turbo inline-4s for the Lotus Emira, a combo only available with an automatic transmission because the world is sometimes dramatically unfair. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Newsweek
7 hours ago
- Newsweek
George Russell Reveals Key Advice to Prevent Psychological Drain in F1
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Mercedes Formula One driver George Russell has revealed key advice to avoid "psychological" struggles in a fast-paced F1 life, where it would be very easy to get frustrated if race weekend goals aren't met. In recent Grands Prix, Russell highlighted the stress he experienced amid reports of his team's talks with Max Verstappen about a future signing. While the four-time world champion clarified that he would race for Red Bull next year, Russell's contract, which expires at the end of 2025, has yet to be extended. In terms of on-track performance, Russell secured his first win of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix and has secured six podium finishes thus far. He is placed fourth in the Drivers' Standings with 172 points, 15 fewer than Verstappen's tally of 187 in third place. Russell has endured challenging race weekends, such as in Monaco and Silverstone, where he finished 11th and 10th, respectively. But Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is aware of Russell's racing prowess and acknowledged that he has been delivering top performances. George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes walks in the paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on August 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary. George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes walks in the paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Hungary at Hungaroring on August 3, 2025 in Budapest, believes setting smaller, realistic goals is key to avoiding going into a "negative spiral of psychological struggle," often arising from high expectations, which can be detrimental to an F1 athlete. Speaking on the Untapped podcast, he explained: "I think you learn that you have to take those small victories. You got to adjust your goals to what is a realistic goal for this given weekend, or what is the realistic goal for this given season. "To win the championship this year is not a realistic goal. Of course, we're working towards that, but if we don't achieve that goal, we shouldn't be kicking ourselves, because we're just not in that position right now. "And that's when we go into every single race weekend thinking, right, we think we've got an opportunity to fight for the podium here. If I finish in fourth place, I won't be happy. If I finish in second, I will be. "Or on the flip side, if we believe we can win this weekend, but we only come home in third, that might be a better result than all the other races, but you've underachieved compared to the potential." Russell added that one needs to train the mind to accept small victories that eventually lead to a big goal. He said: "You have to teach yourself to take those small victories, otherwise you're going to get in a sort of a negative spiral of psychological struggle, and that's only going to impact your performance later down the line. "So, you're not doing this just so you're staying happy. You're doing this to continue performing at your 100%."
