The 2026 Mercedes-AMG C63 is getting a significant upgrade as part of its mid-life facelift. The big change? It will ditch its current four-cylinder plug-in hybrid (PHEV) engine in favor of a new six-cylinder hybrid system. This move marks a shift away from the 2.0-litre electrically turbocharged petrol engine and rear-mounted electric motor that together produced 670bhp and 752lb ft of torque, a setup introduced in 2022.
Despite being the most powerful C-Class to date, the current C63 hasn’t lived up to sales expectations in key global markets, including the UK. As a result, Mercedes-AMG has decided to rework its approach, moving away from the Formula 1-inspired powertrain to something more suited to customer preferences.
The updated C63 will feature a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, an evolution of the setup found in other AMG models like the E53, GLE 53, and the CLE 53 Coupe and Cabriolet. This new hybrid drivetrain will offer even more power and torque than the existing models. It will be introduced first in the refreshed C63, with plans to bring it to the 2027 GLC 63 as well.
The shift from the four-cylinder PHEV to a six-cylinder hybrid comes as part of a broader trend in AMG’s lineup, with the brand bringing back V8 engines in other models. For instance, the upcoming CLE 63 Coupé and CLE 63 Cabriolet, which will indirectly replace the E63 Coupe and Cabriolet, will feature AMG’s V8 twin-turbo M177 engine.
The decision to go with a four-cylinder engine for the CLE 63 was considered unappealing to buyers, especially when positioned above the six-cylinder CLE 53. Sources from Stuttgart confirmed that while the new V8 engines would be a great fit for the larger models, fitting them into the C-Class platform was not practical. The engine’s size and the necessary cooling and crash protection systems would require extensive modifications to the chassis. Those changes would require a fresh round of crash tests and regulatory approval, which wouldn’t be feasible at this point in the model cycle.
Instead, the facelifted C63 will use AMG’s M256 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine. It’s expected to produce around 480bhp or over 650bhp when paired with an electric motor, with torque reaching over 650 lb-ft. For comparison, the E53’s version of this engine, launching in 2024, produces a combined 576bhp and 553 lb-ft of torque.
The new PHEV setup will also feature a different arrangement for the electric motor. The current model uses a rear-axle-mounted motor, but the facelifted C63 will adopt a "P2" system, where the electric motor is placed between the engine and the gearbox. This configuration allows AMG to maintain high performance while delivering a smoother, more refined driving experience, similar to the previous V8-powered C63.
Additionally, the facelifted C63 will come with a revamped interior, including the latest Mercedes Superscreen display and the new MB:OS operating system. All in all, the updated C63 promises to offer more power, better efficiency, and a more luxurious experience.