If you’re a Mercedes fan and a firm believer in the adage “there’s no substitute for displacement,” you’ll be sad to learn that the new AMG C43 (shown below) has lost its V6. The BMW M340i competitor converted to an electric four-cylinder engine, which will be followed by the top-tier C63 later this year.
Yes, the 2023 AMG C63 will ditch the V8 engine in favor of a 2.0-liter unit borrowed from the tiny AMGs but placed longitudinally. According to Mercedes, the four-cylinder engine will produce 470 horsepower, which is a massive quantity for such a little engine. After all, the standard M3’s inline-six 3.0-liter engine adds just 23 horsepower. Of course, dependability is another issue that cannot be discussed at this time since the model has not yet been published.
We do know that the smaller gasoline engine will feature a mild-hybrid system and will be paired with a 201-hp rear-mounted electric motor. The combined powertrain will produce 670 horsepower, which is 167 hp more than the M3 Competition and 127 hp more than the previously introduced M4 CSL.
While BMW still offers the choice of rear- or all-wheel drive, the AMG C63 will only be available with AWD. This is a 180-degree shift from its predecessor, which was only available with RWD. The basic M3 is available with a manual transmission, but the Affalterbach counterpart will not have a clutch pedal since Mercedes will only offer it with a torque-converter automatic.
In terms of torque, the plug-in hybrid powertrain boasts a hefty 553 pound-feet (750 Newton-meters), or 75 lb-ft (100 Nm) more than the M3 Competition and M4 CSL. Of fact, figures do not tell the whole story. We’ll have to wait and see whether the more powerful C63 outperforms the M3 with its traditional six-cylinder engine that lacks electrification.
AMG previewed the C63 over the weekend at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, and the sports sedan will be unveiled later in 2022. There will also be a wagon, which will face fresh competition from the M3 Touring. BMW will unveil the fast estate at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June.
Autocar is the source.
