2023 Mercedes-AMG C63: 500kW hybrid system confirmed

UPDATE, September 20, 2022: 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 reveal imminent

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 performance sedan has been teased, ahead of its imminent debut on September 22.

As reported, the BMW M3 rival will replace its previous twin-turbo V8 with a new four-cylinder plug-in hybrid setup, adopting the E-Performance moniker from the GT 63 S hybrid.

The badge will also feature on a variant of the AMG SL roadster, while the next-generation E63 is also expected to downsize to the same four-cylinder unit.

The teaser video portrays a silver C63 from different angles, showcasing its side profile with 'Turbo Electrified' badging, headlights, AMG alloy wheels and carbon-fibre lip spoiler.

It follows the demonstration of a camouflaged example at the 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed, and various teasers and spy shots over the past 18 months.

As detailed below, the next-generation C63 features a 2.0-litre M139 four-cylinder with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology and an F1-inspired electric exhaust gas turbocharger, producing 350kW.

It is matched with an electric motor developing up to 150kW and 320Nm, for combined system outputs of around 500kW and 750Nm – 125kW and 50Nm higher than the outgoing eight-cylinder C63 S.

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Matched with a nine-speed automatic transmission, power is sent to the wheels through a rear-biased 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system.

A wagon version to compete against the BMW M3 Touring and Audi RS4 is probable, but don't expect to see it in Australia, with Mercedes's local arm dropping the estate body from the fifth-generation line-up.

Coupe duties will likely be filled by the forthcoming CLE set to replace the current C-Class and E-Class two-doors, and rival the BMW M4 and Audi RS5, while the new GLC 63 crossover will also adopt four-pot power.

Stay tuned to Wheels on Thursday, September 22 for the reveal of the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63.

For an early look behind Mercedes-AMG's four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain, read our original story from March 2021 below.

Jordan Hickey

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The story to here

March 31, 2021: Mercedes-AMG confirms 480kW hybrid turbo four for next C63

Mercedes-AMG has all-but confirmed the next C63 will be powered by a four-cylinder turbo, but one packing a monstrous 480kW in conjunction with a powerful new rear-axle electric motor.

For the first time, the C63 will also be equipped with tarmac-tearing all-wheel drive with 0-100km/h times expected to dip into the low three-second range.

The four-cylinder engine in question is the A45’s new M139 2.0-litre inline-4 – fitted north-south in the C-Class engine bay – but with power as high as 350kW.

That’s thanks to a new, F1-inspired turbocharger with an in-built 6kW electric motor promising next to zero turbo lag despite producing an incredible 40psi (2.8 bar) of maximum boost pressure.

AMG says it’s the same kind of turbo fitted to its forthcoming ONE hypercar.

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The high-tech turbo four-cylinder will work with a new, compact, rear-mounted electric motor supplying a constant 70kW, but with as much as 150kW available in 10-second bursts.

Maximum electric motor torque is 320Nm, while engine torque is expected to exceed the A45's 500Nm.

Combined with the 330-350kW internal combustion engine, AMG confirmed overall power will be in the 480-500kW range (although Wheels estimates 400-420kW will be the stated power figure; the current twin-turbo V8 C63 S produces 375kW and 700Nm). Torque could be as high as 900Nm.

The new C63's high-tech mumbo will reach all four wheels via AMG’s now familiar 4MATIC-Plus system, a central propeller shaft continuing to send power to an electronically locking rear differential, to which the electric motor attaches.

AMG did not comment on potential front/rear drive splits but left the door open to a rear-drive model and hinted the 4MATIC-Plus C63 could come with a rear-drive-only Drift Mode, much the same as existing all-wheel drive AMG models like E63 S and GT63 S.

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Powering the new electric motor is an also new, high capacity 6.1kWh li-ion battery offering super-fast discharge/recharge abilities, as well as integrating into a cooling circuit with 14L of its own fluid.

AMG claims the battery is made for racetrack performance and says it has twice the power density of a conventional battery.

Wheels understands the hybrid C63 will offer plug-in recharging ability, but AMG did confirm an EV-only Electric mode available up to 130km/h.

EV range was not revealed, AMG simply saying that unlike other performance hybrid systems, its system is built for performance and overall efficiency rather than maximum electric-only range.

“Our concept is rather new and focused on getting performance into a hybrid powertrain,” Head of Electric Powertrains Jochen Schmitz told Wheels in a video Q&A.

“[We wanted to prioritise] racetrack usage and stuff like that into this hybrid system. Many of the well-known parallel P2 hybrids aren’t focused on performance, they’re more focused on range or other stuff, so it was on us to go this new way completely on our own.”

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The 150kW electric motor, which spins to 13,500rpm, feeds a two-speed gearbox, with second gear engaging at 140km/h.

A nine-speed MCT (wet clutch) paddle-shift automatic transmission continues to be employed; and for the first time the C63 will utilise brake-by-wire, with only a digital connection between the pedal and the brakes themselves.

Four stages of brake recuperation will be available with the highest setting scavenging up to 90kW and providing a proper one-pedal driving feel.

The C63 will offer six driving modes. Electric; a heavily hybridised Comfort with silent electric start; Sport general performance mode; Sport Plus and Race (featuring ‘always on’ electric motor boost) and a customisable Individual mode.

While no word yet on overall vehicle weight, engineers said all the components of the new hybrid system weigh approximately 200kg, with the battery itself 89kg. The M139 engine weighs around 50kg less than the outgoing M177 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.

The all-wheel drive system is expected to also add kilos, although further weight savings could be possible through increased use of aluminium in the new 206-series C-Class body-in-white. The current twin-turbo, rear-drive C63 S Coupe weighs 1725kg (DIN).

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For C63, AMG is expected to work carefully on the M139’s sound as well. “Will it sound like a V8? No, of course it will sound like a very high-performance drivetrain,” said engine specialist Hannes Lohrmann.

AMG has not yet stated fuel consumption figures for its new hybridised models but has promised “outstanding efficiency”.

Together with proper torque vectoring front and rear and a tricky all-wheel drive system, the upcoming C63 should also offer next-level handling ability, especially if fitted with the new 206-series C-Class's rear-wheel steering. AMG has not confirmed as much as yet.

The next generation AMG C-Class models are expected to be revealed later this year while Wheels expects an Australian arrival late 2022 or early 2023.

While production of the 205-series C63 sedan and wagon has just concluded, order books for the current, V8 C205 C63 Coupe are expected to remain open for some time yet as production of the two-door continues. A 206-series C-Class Coupe has not yet been announced.

AMG also revealed details of the upcoming hybridised GT63, which will use the same rear-mounted battery, electric motor and two-speed gearbox slated for the next C63.

Together with the existing 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 (with conventional turbochargers), the hybridised powertrain is expected to offer 600kW and 1000Nm with 0-100km/h times potentially dipping into two-second territory.

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The hybrid GT63 is not due in Australia until the third quarter of 2022.

AMG refused to answer whether the new electric turbocharger might appear at some point on an A45 derivative.