2024 Mercedes C 63 S E Performance Gets AWD and 671 HP From a Hybrid Four-Cylinder

The rumors are true: Mercedes has dropped the V-8 from the C 63 for 2024. But just because the venerable eight-cylinder is gone doesn't mean this M3 fighter has lost its edge. It's more potent than ever, with 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque.

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance has been given a substantial powertrain overhaul to future-proof it for years to come. At its heart sits the company's incredible M139 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which here uses electric turbocharging to eliminate lag, improve efficiency, and generate more power. For the C 63, it gets a larger turbocharger, resulting in a claimed output of 476 hp at 6750 rpm and 402 lb-ft of torque between 5000 and 5500 rpm. This makes it the most powerful four-cylinder ever put into production. It connects to standard 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system via a nine-speed multi-clutch automatic transmission.

The engine is only half the story, though, as the C 63 has gone hybrid too. A 400-volt electrical system with an AMG-designed 6.1-kWh battery powers a permanently excited synchronous electric motor integrated into the rear axle with its own two-speed transmission and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. The motor delivers instant torque to the rear wheels, and spins at up to 13,500 rpm, with peak outputs of 204 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. According to Mercedes-AMG CTO Jochen Hermann, the battery tech is a copy/paste design from the company's Formula 1 cars. The two-speed gearbox allows "the spread from high wheel torque for agile starting to safe continuous output at higher speeds," according to Mercedes. It doesn't engage second gear until 87 mph for optimal acceleration.