2023 Mercedes-AMG E63: Four-cylinder rumoured to go up against BMW’s V8

The 2023 Mercedes-AMG E63 could adopt the company’s new four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain, according to fresh rumours.

The UK’s Autocar is reporting Mercedes-AMG will offer the next-generation E63 with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) technology – a powertrain which will produce more than 480kW when it debuts in the C63.

If true, it means AMG customers may have to step up to the brand’s GT 63 S E Performance if they want a V8 in a sedan body. The flagship GT 63 model was unveiled in September with a plug-in hybrid 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 putting out 620kW and 1400Nm.

A four-cylinder engine also seems a curious choice in the large high-performance four-door segment, with suggestions the E63’s direct competitors are both going in entirely different directions.

While yet to be confirmed, it’s expected BMW will offer the next-generation M5 with a twin-turbo V8 with PHEV technology and as much as 560kW, while the Audi RS6 is said to be ditching its 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 in the current model for an all-electric powertrain producing around 530kW.

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Despite rumours the E63 will halve its cylinder count, AMG boss Philipp Schiemer recently confirmed the V8 would be around for the next decade.

“I think for the next 10 years we will see the V8, for sure,” Schiemer said in an interview with Road & Track.

“We have a lot of customers who love their cars and I still think that we will see those people buying the [V8] cars for a long time.”

However, AMG’s assurances of a V8 continuing into the future are no guarantee the engine will find a home in the E63, with the brand potentially looking to spread development costs of its high-performance four-cylinder PHEV powertrain across multiple models.