We’re barely a month into 2026 and the automotive grim reaper has already claimed a good number of victims; its latest is the Mercedes-AMG C 63.
In an interview with Edmunds, CEO Michael Schiebe confirmed the controversial four-cylinder engine that powers the C 63 will be shelved, and an inline-six will be taking its place. Said straight-six will make its way into the C-Class, along with the Mercedes-AMG C53, which is lined up to replace the outgoing C 63.
What this means in terms of powertrain is that the 671-horsepower four-cylinder hybrid engine is making way for a conventional 443-horsepower six-cylinder engine that also has over 300 lb-ft. less torque. On paper, that’s a massive loss. In practice, it isn’t actually that bad.
Why the Mercedes-AMG C 63’s departure isn’t bad news
Mercedes-AMG’s four-cylinder hybrid divided opinion. Purists hated it because they went from a pretty fantastic-sounding V8 to a sort of flat-sounding four-cylinder engine. Weight also notably increased, as it tends to when you install a hybrid powertrain with enough heavy batteries packed in to satisfy its power demands.
The four-cylinder was more powerful than the V8 it replaced and is likely still more powerful than the inline-six it replaced. But 0-60 times aren’t everything. For enthusiasts with high-end vehicles, driving is as much about sounds, smells, and emotions as it is about acceleration.
Mercedes’ official excuse for ditching the C 63 is something about emissions standards. For the most part, emissions are a big reason why the much-loved 4-liter V8 isn’t coming back. The hybrid powertrain was significantly more powerful than the eight-cylinder engine it replaced. But it isn’t always about more power.
The Mercedes-AMG C 63 isn’t the only victim of 2026
2026 has been absolute carnage in the car world. Tesla has given up on being “S3Xy” after discontinuing the Model S and Model X. Lexus has shelved the LC 500, Kia fiddled while the Niro got burned, and Hyundai has said goodbye to the Santa Fe.
That’s not counting the slew of vehicles we lost late last year. And we’re only in February. At this rate, the annual “In Memoriam” piece we’re planning is going to have to be a five-parter.
There is a silver lining, however. With death comes new life. A lot of the discontinuations were due to companies pivoting in one way or another. Some have decided the EV landscape has changed so they have to shift focus back to hybrids and ICE cars, Mercedes realized the C 63 wasn’t really what its customer-base wanted, and Tesla has ditched two of its more interesting vehicles so it can build robots instead.
So bring on 2026, the year a somewhat stale industry hopefully sees some innovation and excitement. Before Tesla’s Optimus rises up and hunts us all down like the soulless, faceless, lump of plastic and misery it is.
