The Mercedes AMG C63 and its four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain will reportedly be discontinued due to European regulations.
In an interview EdmundsMichael Schiebe, CEO of Mercedes-AMG, said the in-house tuner will “replace our four-cylinder” with “not a hybrid engine (but a) pure in-line six-cylinder.”
He told the American website that the C63 would effectively be replaced by a new C53 model powered by the CLE53 two-door engine. The C53 is expected to make its global debut in the second half of 2026.
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The CLE53 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine supported by a 48V mild hybrid system, producing a total of 330kW and 600Nm. It is equipped with a nine-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, allowing the coupe to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.0 seconds.
For comparison: The complex plug-in hybrid system in the C63 S E-Performance produces a total of 500 kW and 1020 Nm and is able to accelerate the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds.
Presumably Mr. Schiebe’s comments regarding engine purity relate to the lack of a plug-in hybrid system, as it is likely that the C53 will retain the CLE53’s mild hybrid setup.
Despite overwhelmingly negative feedback from online commentators, Mr Schiebe says AMG’s decision to scrap the four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain was due to upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations.
“Under the EU7 regulations it is quite difficult to transfer the four-cylinder PHEV powertrain into the future,” said Schiebe. “That’s why we will no longer offer the ‘M139’ and will replace it in the mid-range segment with the in-line six-cylinder.”
This seems to be an interesting twist, as the Euro 7 rules adopted in 2025 are significantly weaker than they were envisaged during the development of the C63.
In fact, the Euro 7 regulations adopt the test conditions and emissions limits of Euro 6. The main changes concern brake particle emission limits for cars and vans, minimum performance requirements for battery life in electric and hybrid vehicles and new tire wear standards.
A report in late 2025 claimed that the C63’s powertrain would be axed due to new noise regulations in Europe.
While the C63 goes the way of the Dodo, the GLC63 is likely to follow the same path, with a new GLC53 variant taking its place.
MORE: Discover the Mercedes-AMG C-Class showroom
