The Mercedes-AMG C63 is undergoing a major update in 2026, with a new six-cylinder plug-in hybrid drivetrain being introduced as part of its mid-life facelift. This change comes after the initial four-cylinder plug-in hybrid system introduced in 2022 failed to meet sales expectations globally.
The new drivetrain will feature a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, a significant upgrade from the previous four-cylinder setup. This new system, already used in other AMG models such as the E53 and GLE 53, is expected to deliver even greater power and torque, making the C63 the most powerful C-Class model to date.
In response to buyer resistance to the four-cylinder PHEV, AMG has also decided to bring back V8 power in other models. The upcoming CLE 63 Coupé and CLE 63 Cabriolet will be equipped with a flat-plane-crank version of AMG’s ‘M177’ 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, providing customers with a more powerful and appealing option.
Despite the desire to include the V8 engine in the C63, engineers have determined that the current platform constraints make it unfeasible. As a result, the facelifted C63 will utilize a re-engineered version of AMG’s ‘M256’ 3.0-litre turbo straight six, offering impressive power and torque figures.
Overall, the updated Mercedes-AMG C63 is set to deliver a more dynamic and powerful driving experience, with the new six-cylinder plug-in hybrid drivetrain and V8 engine options catering to a wider range of customer preferences. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting model refresh.
