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Certain four-cylinder Mercedes-AMG models facing the axe in 2026

U-turn on four-cylinders will bring an end to the extensively criticised plug-in hybrid C63 by the middle of next year. With rumours of its discontinuation having died down in recent months, a resurfaced report from Germany has alleged that Mercedes-AMG will axe some of its four-cylinder engine models due to new engine noise and emissions regulations. Gone my mid-2026 Excluding six- and eight-cylinder engines, the obtained internal document names the 2.0-litre mild-hybrid GLA 35, GLC 43 and C43 as facing the axe by the “third week of February”. Come the “third week of May”, the highly criticised 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid in the C63 and GLC 63 S E Performance will officially be phased, though sales of the mild-hybrid GLA 45 remains unaffected. ALSO READ: Mercedes-AMG C63 a step closer to dropping four-cylinder PHEV In obtaining the document, German publication, elektoauto-news.net, claims “potentially harmful noise emissions” have been sighted as a key aspect of the engine Affalterbach seemingly cannot rectify before the new European Union-mandated regulations come into effect on 1 July. “This will result in a reduction of the external noise limits. We would therefore like to inform you in advance about upcoming discontinuation dates for selected AMG engines,” a translated extract from the document reads. Mercedes-AMG C43 will lose its mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine by the third week of February next year. Image: Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG has, however, declined to comment on the document, with an unnamed spokesperson saying, “We generally do not comment on speculation surrounding our future product portfolio”. It also stated that, “Mercedes-AMG will be launching the most extensive product offensive in its history in the coming years”. Timeline of controversy The confirmation of the engine’s departure ends years of contradicting reports dating back two years after US publication, Car and Driver, alleged the replacement of the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 with the plug-in hybrid in the C63 had been met with universal disapproval, resulting in slumping sales. The claim, further alleging the return of the V8 by 2026, was subsequently slammed as “pure nonsense” by AMG when asked by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport. RELATED ARTICLES Plug-in hybrid 2.0-litre C63 has received extensive backlash after replacing the previous 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8-engined model. Image: Mercedes-AMG Speaking to MotorTrend in June this year, Mercedes-AMG CEO, Michael Schiebe, admitted it “could have better explained” to customers before replacing the V8 in the C63 and GLC 63. “There are pure V8 fans, and it’s hard to convince them of this four-cylinder hybrid technology,” Schiebe said. Days later, another unnamed AMG executive told Britain’s Autocar that, despite the plug-in hybrid being “one of the most advanced drivetrains available in a production car, it failed to resonate with our traditional customers”. Back to six cylinders? Alluding to the plug-in hybrid making way for a plug-in six-cylinder using the 3.0-litre configuration of the E53 and CLE 53 as a base, the spokesperson referenced the four-cylinder’s inability to comply with emissions requirements by saying, “this is one of the most sophisticated engines we’ve ever built – but the investment to make it Euro 7-compliant is very high”. Elsewhere, it also remains unknown as to which engine will replace the mild-hybrid in the C43 and GLC 43. Previously powered by a bi-turbo 3.0-litre V6, the supposed return of the C63s to six cylinders could be extended to the latter models, but with a 48-volt system once again. More in 2026 For the moment, this is purely speculative and will only be approved come the end of June next year. NOW READ: Mercedes-AMG C63 V8 return blasted as German sales tumble

admin December 1, 2025 3 min read

U-turn on four-cylinders will bring an end to the extensively criticised plug-in hybrid C63 by the middle of next year.

With rumours of its discontinuation having died down in recent months, a resurfaced report from Germany has alleged that Mercedes-AMG will axe some of its four-cylinder engine models due to new engine noise and emissions regulations.

Gone my mid-2026

Excluding six- and eight-cylinder engines, the obtained internal document names the 2.0-litre mild-hybrid GLA 35, GLC 43 and C43 as facing the axe by the “third week of February”.

Come the “third week of May”, the highly criticised 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid in the C63 and GLC 63 S E Performance will officially be phased, though sales of the mild-hybrid GLA 45 remains unaffected.

ALSO READ: Mercedes-AMG C63 a step closer to dropping four-cylinder PHEV

In obtaining the document, German publication, elektoauto-news.net, claims “potentially harmful noise emissions” have been sighted as a key aspect of the engine Affalterbach seemingly cannot rectify before the new European Union-mandated regulations come into effect on 1 July.

“This will result in a reduction of the external noise limits. We would therefore like to inform you in advance about upcoming discontinuation dates for selected AMG engines,” a translated extract from the document reads.

_{Mercedes-AMG C43 will lose its mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine by the third week of February next year. Image: Mercedes-Benz}

Mercedes-AMG has, however, declined to comment on the document, with an unnamed spokesperson saying, “We generally do not comment on speculation surrounding our future product portfolio”.

It also stated that, “Mercedes-AMG will be launching the most extensive product offensive in its history in the coming years”.

Timeline of controversy

The confirmation of the engine’s departure ends years of contradicting reports dating back two years after US publication, Car and Driver, alleged the replacement of the 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 with the plug-in hybrid in the C63 had been met with universal disapproval, resulting in slumping sales.

The claim, further alleging the return of the V8 by 2026, was subsequently slammed as “pure nonsense” by AMG when asked by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

Mercedes-AMG set to keep V8 in favour of C63's four-cylinder PHEV in CLE 63 — *_{Plug-in hybrid 2.0-litre C63 has received extensive backlash after replacing the previous 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8-engined model. Image: Mercedes-AMG}*

Speaking to MotorTrend in June this year, Mercedes-AMG CEO, Michael Schiebe, admitted it “could have better explained” to customers before replacing the V8 in the C63 and GLC 63.

“There are pure V8 fans, and it’s hard to convince them of this four-cylinder hybrid technology,” Schiebe said.

Days later, another unnamed AMG executive told Britain’s Autocar that, despite the plug-in hybrid being “one of the most advanced drivetrains available in a production car, it failed to resonate with our traditional customers”.

Back to six cylinders?

Alluding to the plug-in hybrid making way for a plug-in six-cylinder using the 3.0-litre configuration of the E53 and CLE 53 as a base, the spokesperson referenced the four-cylinder’s inability to comply with emissions requirements by saying, “this is one of the most sophisticated engines we’ve ever built – but the investment to make it Euro 7-compliant is very high”.

Elsewhere, it also remains unknown as to which engine will replace the mild-hybrid in the C43 and GLC 43.

Previously powered by a bi-turbo 3.0-litre V6, the supposed return of the C63s to six cylinders could be extended to the latter models, but with a 48-volt system once again.