Key highlights
- Mercedes-AMG is exploring electric and petrol powertrains for its future 63-badged performance models.
- The next electric C63 could use Yasa axial-flux motors, while a V8-powered petrol version remains unconfirmed.
- Australian pricing, specifications and launch timing for a future Mercedes-AMG C63 have not been announced.
The Mercedes-AMG C63 could return with electric and petrol power options, giving the performance sedan a different future from its current plug-in hybrid predecessor.
Mercedes-Benz chief technical officer Jorg Burzer confirmed that AMG is developing both petrol and electric powertrains for future models carrying its flagship ’63’ badge. When asked whether this could include petrol and electric versions of the C63, Burzer said the brand was “working on both”, leaving the door open for two distinct versions of the performance sedan.
However, Mercedes-AMG has not confirmed that an electric C63 and a petrol-powered model will be sold alongside each other. The comments indicate the direction of the brand’s development work rather than a firm production announcement for either version.
The move would put AMG on a similar path to BMW, which is preparing electric and petrol versions of its next-generation M3. Rather than forcing buyers to choose between outright electrification and a compromise powertrain, the two German performance brands appear to be considering separate solutions for different customers.
For Australian buyers, that could eventually mean more choice in the high-performance sedan segment, although a local return for the C63 has not been confirmed.
Read more: 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Electric price and specs for Oz
Electric Mercedes-AMG C63 could deliver serious performance
Spy photographers have already captured high-performance versions of the upcoming electric Mercedes-Benz C-Class testing on public roads. Reports suggest the AMG variant could revive the C63 name, although Mercedes-AMG has yet to confirm its final badge or specifications.
The electric performance sedan is expected to draw on axial-flux electric motor technology developed by AMG and British company Yasa. Unlike conventional electric motors, axial-flux designs can deliver high power from a relatively compact package, making them attractive for performance cars where weight and packaging matter.
The technology is already being used in AMG’s developing electric performance range. The electric Mercedes-AMG CLA45, for example, has been reported to produce 500kW from three axial-flux motors, with a claimed 0-100km/h acceleration time of 2.7 seconds.
AMG has also outlined plans for outputs of up to 860kW in its three-motor AMG GT 4-Door Coupe and SUV. Those figures demonstrate the potential of the technology, but they should not be taken as confirmed specifications for an electric C63.
An electric Mercedes-AMG C63 would also face a different challenge from its petrol predecessor. Performance figures may be impressive, but the model’s identity has long been tied to its engine character, sound and rear-wheel-drive heritage.
Will the Mercedes-AMG C63 get its V8 back?
The previous Mercedes-AMG C63’s move away from a V8 proved controversial among enthusiasts. Its successor combined a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with plug-in hybrid assistance to produce 500kW, but the added complexity and reduced engine capacity did not win over all traditional buyers.
That four-cylinder powertrain is not expected to continue in its current form as Mercedes-Benz prepares for Euro 7 emissions requirements. The associated C63 and GLC63 plug-in hybrids, along with the C43 and GLC43 mild hybrids, are expected to be indirectly replaced by C53 and GLC53 models using six-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrains.
At the same time, Mercedes-Benz has invested in an updated version of its familiar 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8, known as the M177 Evo. The engine is intended for use across multiple models, keeping the V8 relevant within the wider Mercedes-Benz and AMG line-ups.
Burzer declined to confirm whether the engine could return to the C63, telling media there was an “exciting future” ahead for AMG. His comments leave the door open but do not establish that a V8-powered C-Class is under development for production.
The V8 has already been fitted to the related Mercedes-AMG CLE coupe in the limited-edition CLE646 Spezialanfertigung, where it produces 475kW and 850Nm. However, that car’s wider body and specialised construction do not prove the engine can be accommodated in a regular C-Class sedan.
When could a new petrol C63 arrive in Australia?
The current C-Class generation is already around five years old, making a major engineering investment to fit a V8 into its existing structure less attractive. A next-generation petrol C-Class, expected around 2030, could provide a more realistic opportunity for AMG to develop a V8-powered C63.
That timing remains speculative, and there is no confirmed production schedule for a V8 version. Any decision would also depend on engineering requirements, emissions regulations and the markets where such a car could be sold.
For Australia, the key question is whether Mercedes-AMG will offer both powertrain types locally. An electric C63 could appeal to buyers seeking rapid acceleration and the latest performance technology, while a V8 version would target enthusiasts who still value traditional engine character.
Mercedes-AMG has not announced Australian pricing, specifications or availability for either proposed C63 variant as of 22 October 2026. Until the company provides more detail, the return of the name looks increasingly plausible, but the form it takes remains an open question.
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