Mercedes Is Keeping The Four-Cylinder AMG C63 Because It’s 'Very, Very Progressive'

More and more cars are downsizing due to stringent emissions regulations. The latest Mercedes C63 is the most recent example, eschewing its brawny 4.0-liter V8 in favor of a small 2.0-liter four-cylinder. There had been some rumors about Affalterbach's plan to re-install a bigger engine, but that's not going to happen.

In an interview with Top Gear magazine, AMG CEO Michael Schiebe says people have been asking why the company dropped the V8. Schiebe explains: "We want to be very, very progressive when it comes to technology. And we are convinced of the hybridization concept, there we will stay with the four cylinder."

He went on to admit AMG can't persuade every V8 fan to buy the new 2.0-liter model. Seeing the glass half full, Schiebe says the plug-in hybrid Mercedes C63 has lured in buyers who otherwise wouldn't have been interested in the sports sedan.

Lest we forget, Mercedes discontinued the two-door variants of the C-Class and E-Class for the new CLE, which recently gained an inline-six for the "53" models. Should there be a "63," that one too is likely to have a 3.0-liter engine. So if you're in the "there's no replacement for displacement" crowd, Mercedes still has you covered.

Should you want four doors and extra cylinders, chances are the next E63 will also rock an inline-six but the larger sedan/wagon is also expected to get a charging port. Spy shots suggest it'll utilize a plug-in hybrid setup. Its nemesis, the BMW M5, will also be a PHEV, but the Bavarian monster is going to retain the beefy V8 engine for one more generation. Better yet, the M5 Touring is coming back.