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Newsweek
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Next Year's New Electric Cars Will Sound Like Classic V8s
Today's electric cars sound like vehicles from a sci-fi movie. They emit sounds ranging from ethereal to high-pitched whines to rocket-like noises and simulated flatulence. Those sounds pair with slow motion and simulated shifts to create a new-age ambiance that has many car enthusiasts longing for the sounds of engines past. As Mercedes-AMG works to create the electric performance cars of the future, the company isn't keen to fully let go of its gasoline-powered past. Its upcoming C590 battery-electric sedan, built on the new architecture, aims to blend old sounds with new powertrain performance. "We want to set the benchmark when it comes to electric high-performance driving... We use a speedboat to give a little hint how the electric future will look like when you talk about AMG electric cars," Michael Schiebe, chairman of the board of management of Mercedes‑AMG, the performance arm of the company, and head of Mercedes‑Benz G‑Class and Mercedes‑Maybach business units, told Newsweek. "We want to use the car to break some records. This is what it's all about. Because if you claim yourself to be a performance brand, then you need to beat your competitors on the track. It's not just the talking, you need to prove it," he continued. Front of the Mercedes-AMG C590 prototype. Front of the Mercedes-AMG C590 prototype. Mercedes-AMG AMG's performance history is storied. "AMG was born on the racetrack. From the beginning, performance has been in our DNA—whether on the track or the road. Every split second matters, and the relentless pursuit of more has fueled us since day one. It's what drives us to give everything, every single day," Schiebe said. The electric era is a new frontier for the company. Though it has been including hybrid technology in its most recent cars, including the C 63 S E Performance and CLE, C590 will be a first-of-its-kind AMG vehicle developed on a platform designed to meet key performance indicators (KPIs) earmarked by AMG rather than leaning on a Mercedes-Benz base then amplifying it, the formula for much of the recent lot of AMG offerings. "When we are talking about going into the electric era, we always say it's about continuous performance, because this is the real differentiator," Schiebe said. "Most of the electric cars will be able to accelerate very fast from zero to 100 or zero to 60 [mph]. It doesn't matter. This will not be the real differentiator in an electric era in the future. "When we started with the development of the we defined certain criteria... we know that we have a very strong heritage when it comes to combustion engines and V8s and so we have a very strong customer base. And customers just love that, especially in the U.S. So if we, as a brand, come up with an electric car, we need to jump even further, because otherwise customers will just say, 'Why don't you just stick to your V8s,' and that is why we put our targets so ambitiously high, and we said we really need to jump really, really far to convince our customers." Scheibe linked performance and design to emotion, citing a combination of KPIs that make a performance AMG car a must-buy for the company's customers. One of the aspects of emotion is sound, an emotional touchpoint that battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) have struggled to wrangle. For the C590, "we actually created the feeling that our customers are used to from our beloved V8s," he said. The formula for the C590 combines the sound of previously beloved AMG vehicles with a variety of driving triggers to deliver a fully engaged sensory experience to the driver. Schiebe pointed out: "If I talk to my engineers driving the car on the Nordschleife, for example, they are not driving the cars and looking to the RPM meter all the time. They are actually driving it by all their senses; they hear the sound of the engine and everything. You need to get feedback to make a fast lap on the racetrack." Rear of the Mercedes-AMG C590 prototype. Rear of the Mercedes-AMG C590 prototype. Mercedes-AMG C590 owners will be able to experience the sounds of V8 and V12 driving in the BEV thanks to technical experts who captured the sound of those engines after blind sound tests that Schiebe compared to wine tasting. "We were standing next to the track, and then some of our young engineers were just driving by back and forth and back and forth, and we were listening," he said. After narrowing down the possibilities, engineers went to a specially engineered sound room in Affalterbach, Germany, the home to the brand, and listened to the noise in isolation. "We invested a hell of a lot of hours just to optimize it, because we think it's of such high importance. It's not just something that you delegate to one of your engineers and say, 'Please come up [with this],' because it is part of our DNA." The sounds tested for transfer from the company's extensive engine portfolio include those from the first-generation Mercedes-AMG GT, Mercedes-AMG C63 and third-generation Mercedes-AMG C-Class (W204), among others. What Is It Like to Drive? With ample acceleration on rural roads around Affalterbach, a Mercedes-AMG engineer showcased the capabilities of the forthcoming car. While dressed in camouflage and switched into its Sport+ drive modes, the prototype C590 rode as aggressively as the driver wanted, delivering simulated shifts at what felt like the appropriate torque points, matched with sounds that echoed through the cabin as if there was a real engine under the hood. Although mostly authentic-sounding, the noise would occasionally sound electronic, particularly around the end notes of a downshift brap. The experience heightened the senses, much like riding in a gasoline-powered car, though it's still not a 1:1 match. Will it be enough to persuade drivers to switch from gas to electric? That's the question. "Buying an AMG is always an emotional decision. You can go from A to B in a much cheaper [car]. So if you decide for such a car from our brand, it's an emotional topic, and this is why we invested a lot of attention, resources and money to make those cars really emotional," Schiebe said. Mercedes-AMG intends to unveil the production version of the C590 soon.
Auto Blog
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Mercedes-AMG will keep its V8 as long as possible
CEO Says V8 Will Stick Around As Long As Customers Want Mercedes-AMG just unveiled the AMG GT XX concept, a 1,341-horsepower preview of the performance division's first dedicated EV. But AMG has no plans to give up on its signature V-8 engines. In an interview with Motor1, AMG CEO Michael Schiebe said the Mercedes sub-brand's next V8 will arrive in 2027, and that—despite the emissions-related push for electrification—there's not firm date for when it will be retired. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:10 Full screen When will Toyota build an EV with its simulated manual transmission? Watch More 'Since we are just in the development of a new V8, there is not a natural end date that we have defined,' Schiebe said. 'We keep on going as long as we see that there is customer demand, and especially, you know, when it comes to the U.S., for example, we see that there are still customers that just want the V8, a pure V8. And so this is why we are investing in the technology.' Regulatory picture unclear Source: Mercedes-Benz While current European Union rules put the bloc on a path to ending sales of new internal-combustion cars by 2035 (unless synthetic fuels enter widespread use), the V8 could live on past that point outside AMG's home market, Schiebe noted. 'There is, at the moment, a natural ending in Europe,' the AMG CEO said, adding that this isn't the case right now for other markets. 'In the U.S., in the overseas market, where there is no certain end date, I'm pretty confident that we will carry them a couple of years, beginning of the [20]30s, middle of the [20]30s.' For now, the next-generation AMG V8 is being engineered to comply with the Euro 7 emissions rules that will be in place when it arrives. These will be the last round of EU emissions rules before 2035, when stricter rules will call for new cars to have zero carbon-dioxide emissions. Synthetic fuels have been discussed as a workaround to this, but given the difficulty in scaling them up at affordable prices, a change in the rules may be the only way to keep AMG V8s alive in their home market past the middle of next decade. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Hybrids Likely Key Source: Mercedes-Benz AMG is already leaning on plug-in hybrids as a compromise between stricter emissions rules and performance. The current iterations of the AMG C63 sedan and GLC63 crossover ditched their V8s for turbocharged four-cylinder engines fortified by plug-in hybrid systems. They may not have the delightful soundtrack of their predecessors, but these AMG models' 671 hp is nothing to sneer at. A similar plug-in hybrid system is coupled to AMG's current 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in the S63 SL63, and GT63, increasing performance while keeping engine displacement in check. And the AMG E53 offers an EPA-rated 43 miles of electric range but can still accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Vehicles like these could continue to play an important role at AMG. Ola Källenius, CEO of parent Mercedes-Benz, recently said the hybrid version of the redesigned CLA-Class compact would continue longer than expected due to fluctuating demand for EVs. The CLA launches with Mercedes' latest electric-powertrain tech, but the automaker is still hedging its bets with the hybrid version. It wouldn't be surprising for AMG to do the same. About the Author Stephen Edelstein View Profile
Miami Herald
30-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Mercedes-AMG will keep its V8 as long as possible
Mercedes-AMG just unveiled the AMG GT XX concept, a 1,341-horsepower preview of the performance division's first dedicated EV. But AMG has no plans to give up on its signature V-8 engines. In an interview with Motor1, AMG CEO Michael Schiebe said the Mercedes sub-brand's next V8 will arrive in 2027, and that-despite the emissions-related push for electrification-there's not firm date for when it will be retired. "Since we are just in the development of a new V8, there is not a natural end date that we have defined," Schiebe said. "We keep on going as long as we see that there is customer demand, and especially, you know, when it comes to the U.S., for example, we see that there are still customers that just want the V8, a pure V8. And so this is why we are investing in the technology." While current European Union rules put the bloc on a path to ending sales of new internal-combustion cars by 2035 (unless synthetic fuels enter widespread use), the V8 could live on past that point outside AMG's home market, Schiebe noted. "There is, at the moment, a natural ending in Europe," the AMG CEO said, adding that this isn't the case right now for other markets. "In the U.S., in the overseas market, where there is no certain end date, I'm pretty confident that we will carry them a couple of years, beginning of the [20]30s, middle of the [20]30s." For now, the next-generation AMG V8 is being engineered to comply with the Euro 7 emissions rules that will be in place when it arrives. These will be the last round of EU emissions rules before 2035, when stricter rules will call for new cars to have zero carbon-dioxide emissions. Synthetic fuels have been discussed as a workaround to this, but given the difficulty in scaling them up at affordable prices, a change in the rules may be the only way to keep AMG V8s alive in their home market past the middle of next decade. AMG is already leaning on plug-in hybrids as a compromise between stricter emissions rules and performance. The current iterations of the AMG C63 sedan and GLC63 crossover ditched their V8s for turbocharged four-cylinder engines fortified by plug-in hybrid systems. They may not have the delightful soundtrack of their predecessors, but these AMG models' 671 hp is nothing to sneer at. A similar plug-in hybrid system is coupled to AMG's current 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in the S63 SL63, and GT63, increasing performance while keeping engine displacement in check. And the AMG E53 offers an EPA-rated 43 miles of electric range but can still accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Vehicles like these could continue to play an important role at AMG. Ola Källenius, CEO of parent Mercedes-Benz, recently said the hybrid version of the redesigned CLA-Class compact would continue longer than expected due to fluctuating demand for EVs. The CLA launches with Mercedes' latest electric-powertrain tech, but the automaker is still hedging its bets with the hybrid version. It wouldn't be surprising for AMG to do the same. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
The Drive
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
Mercedes-AMG Might Be Having a Windows Vista Moment With These Four-Cylinder Hybrids
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Multi-billion-dollar companies get so caught up in innovation that they focus more on what they could do than what they should do. Sure, the products are usually impressive from a technological standpoint, but oftentimes, they're way worse to use. One example that comes to mind is Windows Vista—the fresh-looking operating system from 2007 that people absolutely hated to work with. Another more recent example is the four-cylinder plug-in hybrid Mercedes-AMG models that used to run twin-turbo V8s. Like Windows Vista, Mercedes-AMG's small-displacement PHEVs are great in theory. Microsoft marketed better security and enhanced search functionality with its OS; meanwhile, Mercedes bragged about its 671 horsepower with electric turbo anti-lag and supercar-like zero-to-60 times. But just as customers grew massively frustrated with Vista and its inability to run on older computers without crashing, drivers decided that all that power from an electrified AMG isn't any good if you can't hear it. Vista's predecessor, Windows XP, was admittedly showing its age by the time the new version came along, but like the old-fashioned V8, it worked—and on the rare occasion that it didn't, its users knew how to identify, troubleshoot, and eliminate those shortcomings. See the resemblance? Microsoft / Mercedes-AMG Mercedes acknowledges this now as it's reportedly moving away from the four-cylinders to build more inline-sixes and V8s. Autocar cites a source at Mercedes as saying, '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.' This would also mean that, like Vista, the four-cylinder AMG C63 and GLC63 didn't last long. If you'll remember, those only launched three years ago, in 2022. That's even shorter than Vista, which received mainstream support for five years, through 2012. Still, Microsoft's faux pas was far more widespread. Estimates claim some 330 million people were tortured by Vista, while far fewer than 100,000 ever took a chance on the AMGs that whir like a vacuum cleaner. 'We jumped far ahead with this technology, but we should have explained the technology more to our salespeople and customers,' explained AMG boss Michael Schiebe to Car Magazine in April. 'We will continue to do that and further improve. There is a German saying, 'You never have a second chance at a first impression.' Maybe we missed out on the first impression, but if you have the opportunity, I'm sure you will be convinced of the technology.' The list of Vista criticisms is longer, too—enough to warrant not just a Wikipedia tab but an entire page. Everybody's beef with the electrified four-cylinders is pretty much the same: They sound bad. That's a pretty big problem considering the customers they're marketed to. Mercedes was so sure people wouldn't mind the switch from twin-turbo V8s to plug-in hybrid four-cylinders, and really, that's as crazy as it seems. Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@
The Citizen
27-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Mercedes-AMG C63 a step closer to dropping four-cylinder PHEV
Latest report confirms previous speculation of the C63 reverting to six-cylinders, also with a plug-in hybrid setup, instead of reviving the V8. Mercedes-AMG is reportedly soon to revert to six-cylinders for the C63. Image: Mercedes-AMG With rumours of its move away from four-cylinders continuing to mount, a senior Mercedes-AMG employee has let slip that the controversial plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain in the C63 will indeed be phased-out based on poor reception and slumping sales. No, yes? First mentioned in 2023 following a report from US publication Car and Driver that the 2.0-litre based unit has received significant backlash despite being powerful than the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 it replaced, an AMG figure head stated that adapting the V8 for Euro 7 emissions regulations had already taken place in response to dealers struggling to shift units dramatic prices cuts. ALSO READ: Mercedes-AMG C63 set to go six-cylinder PHEV route in 2026 According to the most recent report by Mercedes-Benz dealers in the United Kingdom have offered discounts of up to £9 500 (R233 386) on the C63, bringing its price tag to £90 095 (R2 213 363) or £17 525 (R430 536) less than the sticker price of the BMW M3 Competition. 'We could have explained it better' Similarly, discounts in the States have also been enforced, with AMG CEO, Michael Schiebe, admitting to MotorTrend last month that it 'could have better explained' the system before putting it into the C63. 'There are pure V8 fans, and it's hard to convince them of this four-cylinder hybrid technology. It's my job to do a constant review of our portfolio. I'm pretty confident that we will fulfil our customers' dreams in the next two to three years,' he said. The combination of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and plug-in hybrid hardware has main the biggest point of content with the new Mercedes-AMG C63. Image: Mercedes-AMG Despite Mercedes-AMG debunking the hybrid's withdrawal in a response to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport days after the Car and Driver statement, an unnamed executive has admitted to Britain's Autocar that the setup has 'failed to resonate' with buyers. '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 recognised that,' the source told the publication. In spite of its combined outputs of 500kW/1 020Nm, 125kW/270Nm more than the V8-engined C63, the newcomer' 2 165 kg kerb mass has been cited as another reason for its slump in sales, with recent evaluations in Europe and the States also criticising the battery pack getting hot at over 200 km/h. Return of six In confirmation with the most recent Autocar report in April, the unnamed source said the plug-in hybrid 2.0-litre will give away to a six-cylinder in the reported form of a 3.0-litre plug-in hybrid modelled on the mild-hybrid configuration that powers the AMG CLE 53. Seemingly not earmarked for a return is the 4.0-litre V8, which will produce a reported 478kW/880Nm with mild-hybrid assistance in the forthcoming AMG CLE 63. While no official word from Mercedes-AMG has yet been made confirming the move to back six-cylinders for its flagship C-Class since the supercharged C32 AMG made from 2000 to 2004, expect possible clearer details to emerge throughout the rest of the year. NOW READ: Mercedes-AMG C63 V8 return blasted as German sales tumble
