Take A Look At The Possibly A45-Engined Mercedes-AMG C63
The story goes that when the Mercedes C63’s inline-four future was decided upon, then-AMG boss Tobias Moers walked out of the boardroom. We get why - one of the AMG C’s biggest selling points is its gargling 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, but we’re still hopeful the four-pot version might work out quite nicely.
This is it, we’re quite sure. Some sort of AMG’d W206 C-Class was spotted earlier in the year, but the brakes on this one look a little beefier, and instead of oval tailpipes, it has - as per the current C63 - trapezoid exits.
Exhaling through those pipes is likely an evolution of the ‘M139’ single-turbo inline-four used by the Mercedes-AMG A45 S. No other Mercedes four-pot gets anywhere close to its output, although with 416bhp, it’s a long way off the 503bhp offered up by the V8 in the current C63 S.
With four fewer cylinders and one less turbo, it will have a weight advantage, but extra power may still be necessary. Aftermarket companies have shown the A45 engine to be capable of a lot more than 416bhp, but it surely can’t be pushed much further while keeping to strict OEM tolerances. With that in mind, AMG may add some form of electrification to plug the deficit.
There are many unknowns about what’s going on under the bonnet, but there are some more clear-cut things we can see from the spy shots. Along with those beefy brakes (steel, but carbon ceramics will no doubt be an option), the prototype has widened wheel arches, a rear diffuser and additional vents at the front.
We’ll be waiting a little while to see the C63 sans camo - the all-new standard C-Class isn’t going to be uncovered until early 2021, meaning the AMG will be kept from us until the tail end of that year at least. Still, that gives plenty of time to nab a brand new V8 version, should the four-pot not sit with you so well.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Seeing where the world is going, I would just end it, but I won’t, just to annoy people :D :P
I‘m still unconvinced about the downsizing of that particular car however I do see a chance for Mercedes to make up for it with a significant step up in power - if the next c63 leaves its competitors in the dust, surely the criticism will be limited. Although an increase in performance would be limited by the e63 which will probably always be kept untouchable by the ‘lesser’ c-class.
Tbh if you wanted pure straightline performance in a sedan, the Tesla Model S P100D or Charger Hellcat are better options. The C63 has always been a German muscle car, and the “big”, shouty engine was always part of the charm. It wasn’t as good in cornering as cars like the CTS-V or Giulia Quadrofoglio ; the C63 was more of a tyre smoking Autobahn eater. The AMG V8 was, in the eyes of many enthusiasts, a core part of the reason why the car was loved.
Downsizing was inevitable, but I would have much preferred they use their hybrid inline six or go full EV like the next gen M5.
if im honest, they should’ve used the hybrid i6 from the CLS
would’ve caused way less controversy
While that would be a seemingly logical next step I think that i6 got passed over as it is a Mercedes engine with a few AMG parts, not an AMG engine built to the ‘One man to one engine’ standard from the ground up.