After discovering that AMG buyers are willing to embrace four-cylinder hybrids as they do smartphones, Mercedes’ performance division leader made another bold claim.
In an interview, AMG CEO Michael Schiebe expressed strong confidence that customers will easily transition from powerful V-8 engines to electric vehicles (EVs).
“Customers who came to the brand because of the V-8 didn’t come just for the big engine,” Schiebe explained.
“They came because they loved the technology we put into the car. So when it comes to electric driving, I’m confident they will embrace that new technology, as it will be the latest and greatest available.”
The underlying message is that AMG believes its clientele prioritizes cutting-edge technology over engine size.
Even if future developments move away from combustion engines, AMG assumes customers will shift toward EVs.
Schiebe’s remarks suggest the “one man, one engine” philosophy will eventually phase out, and he is optimistic that customers will adopt EVs, as long as they offer the newest advancements.
However, the V-8 engine isn’t disappearing just yet. AMG has confirmed that new eight-cylinder models are still in development. A recent spy video suggests the upcoming CLE63 could be the next model to feature a V-8.
Initially, reports indicated the top-tier CLE was supposed to use a smaller, electrified powertrain. However, lower-than-expected demand for the C63 has led AMG to reconsider and reintroduce the V-8 late in the development process.
Although exact sales figures for the C63 remain undisclosed, significant discounts in Germany hint at its unpopularity.
The C63 is not the only AMG model to lose its V-8; the GLC63 also dropped the twin-turbo 4.0-liter engine. Moreover, Mercedes has already confirmed that the upcoming E63 will no longer have an eight-cylinder option.
In a previous interview, Schiebe acknowledged that some AMG customers “take time to really get excited about the technology.” He emphasized the importance of keeping an “open mind when it comes to technology.”
Reflecting on the decision to include a four-cylinder engine in the C63, Schiebe defended the move by highlighting the plug-in hybrid setup’s “very, very progressive” nature.
AMG is backing up its shift toward electrification with substantial investments. The company has launched several high-performance plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and is developing a dedicated electric car platform.
The AMG.EA architecture, which has been in progress for several years, is reportedly the foundation for a future all-electric supercar.
This vehicle will likely draw inspiration from last year’s Vision One-Eleven concept and serve as the spiritual successor to the 2013 SLS AMG Electric Drive, which featured a quad-motor setup.
AMG has already ruled out creating another F1-powered hypercar as a follow-up to the One, citing increasingly strict emissions regulations.
Elsewhere in Mercedes’ expansive lineup, there are still plenty of six- and eight-cylinder models, including the powerful V-12 found in the Maybach S-Class.
In short, there’s still time to purchase a car with the desired number of cylinders, but those options are becoming increasingly scarce.