Confirmed: Mercedes-AMG C 63 Will Be Replaced by a 6-Cylinder C 53

• The Mercedes-AMG C 63's four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain will be phased out.
• The C 63 will replaced by a C 53, powered by the turbocharged inline-six from the AMG CLE 53.
• Expect the new C 53 to debut in the second half of 2026.

That "no hybrid" is an important clarifier. The C 53 will not use the plug-in hybrid version of the 3.0-liter inline-six used in the AMG E 53 sedan and wagon, which makes a combined 577 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque.

In the current CLE 53 coupe and convertible, the 3.0-liter engine makes 443 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. That's a far cry from the 671 hp and 752 lb-ft produced by the current C 63's 2.0-liter engine and plug-in hybrid powertrain. But consider this: When we raced the C 63 in Edmunds U-Drags, it was absolutely smoked by a 543-hp BMW M3 CS. In other words, power isn't everything. And for those who do need proper rip-snorting AMG grunt, you can bet the company's new V8 engine will make its way into both the C- and CLE-Class cars.

The decision to discontinue the four-cylinder engine — called M139 internally — isn't a mea culpa from Mercedes-AMG.

"Under the regulations of EU7, it's quite difficult to carry [the four-cylinder engine] into the future," Schiebe said. "That's why we will stop offering the M139 and in the midsize segment we will replace it with the inline six-cylinder."

The new C-Class sedan will debut in the coming months, meaning the AMG C 53 variant should be revealed in the second half of 2026. Considering the C-Class shares its architecture with the new GLC, I'll bet the AMG 53 powertrain shows up in the SUV too — but that's a story for another day.