The boisterous V8 engine had been one of the most appealing features of the Mercedes-AMG C63, stretching back two generations before the folks at AMG decided to ditch it for a four-cylinder paired with a plug-in hybrid system in the current C63. Fans weren’t thrilled, and while official sales figures haven’t surfaced, reports of cars languishing on dealer lots – plus AMG boss Michael Schiebe admitting the brand lost customers – point to underwhelming sales.Thankfully, Schiebe and his crew in Affalterbach have seen the light, as they’re developing a bigger engine for AMG's take on the C-Class. But before you pop the champagne, we must warn you that the new engine won’t be a V8. C63 Making Way For New C53 Mercedes During an interview with Edmunds this week, Schiebe finally confirmed the months of rumors that the current C63 will be replaced by a new model packing a six-cylinder engine. His official reason is that it will be difficult to get the current turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 in the C63 to meet future EU emissions targets.Schiebe also confirmed that the six-cylinder won’t be paired with a plug-in hybrid system in the C63's replacement. That means peak power will be down, but so should weight, which was substantial in the electrified C63 thanks to its heavy battery. To reflect the lower output, the new model will be badged a C53.Mercedes-BenzThe engine will be the same unit powering AMG's CLE 53. It’s a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 with an electric compressor. In the CLE 53, the setup is rated at 443 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque (443 lb-ft with overboost), and comes with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that can add another 23 hp and 151 lb-ft at lower speeds to aid with takeoff. Expect the same or similar for the new C53. While that’s well down on the combined 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of the current turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 and plug-in hybrid system in the C63, without the 780-pound mass of that model’s electrification (yes, it really is that heavy), the C53 may end up just as quick. But What About AMG's New V8? Mercedes-BenzMercedes-Benz has just unveiled a new V8 engine for its updated 2027 S-Class. It's known as the M177 Evo, and it's essentially a heavily revised take on the current M177 twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, an engine that, fittingly, first showed up in the C63 nearly two decades ago. The Evo version adds a flat-plane crankshaft, which lets the engine spin more freely while delivering more power and fewer emissions, and it also incorporates a mild-hybrid system.AMG is developing its own version of the V8, expected to debut soon in a CLE 63. Given the mechanical overlap between the CLE and C-Class lineups, it’s not hard to imagine that engine eventually finding its way into a revived C63. And if that’s what enthusiasts want, now would be a pretty good time to start making some noise... preferably louder than a turbo four. Our Take: The Right Move In Uncertain Times CarBuzz/Mercedes-Benz"Mercedes-AMG's wholesale pivot to a heavily electrified 4-cylinder alienated fans who'd grown to love the brand's rowdy image, which stood at odds with the clinical precision fostered by BMW M models. But the inline-6 has long been an underappreciated gem that deserved a spot in more AMG models, the C63 included. Future-proofed against changing emissions, and with the capability to be paired with a plug-in hybrid system, it's adaptable enough, powerful enough, and emotive enough to stand the test of time. It's a smart move from AMG, and the one it should've made at the start of this generation."- Roger Biermann, CarBuzz Managing Editor