Not Dead Yet: Mercedes-AMG’s V8 Makes a Comeback!
The auto industry is shifting towards electric cars, but Mercedes-AMG is making it clear that their V8 engine is not going away just yet. Despite criticism for turning the C63 into a four-cylinder hybrid and announcing high-performance electric vehicles, AMG remains committed to its iconic V8, at least for the foreseeable future.
AMG boss Michael Schiebe has given fans of the V8 some hope. He mentioned that combustion engines still have a future, partly because of lenient regulations.
The European Union’s combustion ban won’t take effect until 2035, and the United States has not set a firm deadline for phasing out internal combustion engines (ICEs). Schiebe noted that there are still “some years to come with the V8.”
Although Schiebe didn’t specify how long the V8 would last, it’s clear that AMG is not just keeping it alive, they are actively developing a new version. This new V8 might power several future models, sparking speculation that it could even make a comeback in the C63.
“We are in the midst of developing our next generation of the V8 and I see a lot of positions within our existing portfolio, or maybe even new ones, where we could actually imagine to have a V8,” Schiebe said in an interview with Car and Driver.
Reports suggest that the new V8 will feature a flat-plane crankshaft instead of the current cross-plane design. The engine might also include a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, which would integrate a starter motor into the gearbox, boosting both power and efficiency. However, Schiebe made it clear that AMG is not going all-in on hybridization with this engine, saying they don’t “necessarily need to go that far on hybridization.”
This balanced approach could also mean the AMG GT 4-Door might stick around longer than expected, even as AMG’s electric performance sedan arrives. Schiebe hinted that the GT 4-Door’s future is not yet decided, saying, “Let’s see how long we continue with a GT 4-Door. Maybe there is a successor, but I don’t want to speculate about that.”
While AMG is undoubtedly moving towards electric power, it’s clear that the V8 is not being abandoned just yet. For now, the brand seems committed to keeping its combustion engine legacy alive.
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