It might not be a V8, but it's at least 50% better than what you can buy now. The CarBuzz spy photographers have just snapped a facelifted version of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class wagon testing around the Nürburgring in Germany. This is no ordinary C, though, it's the AMG model.Everybody loves fast wagons, and this long-roof Mercedes-Benz should definitely qualify. But don't worry, AMG fans. You won't be hustling the kids to school with a four-cylinder hybrid turning the tires. There Are Six Cylinders In This Benz Once Again CarBuzz/Valnet When Mercedes-Benz replaced the V6-powered AMG C43 and the V8-powered C63 models with four-cylinder power in 2023, it was met with outrage. It didn't matter that, thanks to PHEV power and a four-pot boosted to the moon, the new cars made more power. The smaller displacement engine had a tough time winning fans.Mercedes-Benz has responded, and it has done so shockingly quickly in the grand scheme of things. Instead of the fours, a new inline-six is being introduced as a sort of replacement for both the entry-level and flagship performance models. Last September, the head of AMG admitted that it was losing buyers over the engine choice and said that some fours would become sixes. This facelifted C-Class wagon appears to be one of them.It's not an extensive facelift. Mercedes-Benz is adding the starry-eyed headlights from the rest of the lineup that first made their appearance with the CLA concept a few years ago. The AMG grille looks to be a bit larger and slightly reshaped, and the lower grilles are also more aggressive than before.Around the back, the taillights are getting the same star lamp upgrades. Or at least appear to be, as Mercedes-Benz has done a better job of hiding them than up front. Changes to the light bar in the wagon's rear hatch are also lurking under the camouflage tape.The new wagons will also get some changes up top. Mercedes-Benz has hidden the roof-mount shark fin antenna. We're not sure why it would bother, but you can expect to see some changes to that small part next time around. Updated MBUX Along With Facelift CarBuzz/Valnet On the inside, Mercedes-Benz has been adding physical controls instead of virtual ones back to its vehicles with redesigns and refreshes, and the C-Class should get the same. An updated MBUX infotainment system with the company's latest programming should also help the cabin feel fresh.As far as that engine, it will also arrive with a new name. To separate it from the four-cylinder C63 situation and to recognize that it won't be quite as powerful, it will be called the C53. The engine is the same one used in the CLE 53, where it makes 443 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque.If you weren't happy with the insanely powerful four, Mercedes hopes you'll be happy with a six that makes 228 horsepower less. At least it will probably take around 800 pounds out of the curb weight of the car thanks to ditching the battery and motor.Somewhat confusingly, especially as Mercedes-Benz moves to deliver both gas and electric models with the same bodywork, the gas C-Class will sell alongside a very different electric model. That vehicle made its debut in April, and Benz will offer the two different cars side by side for at least a few years.Mercedes-AMG C-Class wagon facelift (2)
