New Mercedes-AMG C-Class 2022: goodbye V8, hello 4-cylinder hybrid

New Mercedes-AMG C-Class 2022 – Despite the constant strengthening of anti-pollution standards, the automotive industry – mainly German – is forcing to maintain high performance models to its catalog. But, like the next generation AMG-badged C-Class, it needs redouble ingenuity to overcome the inevitable reduction in displacement.

Sport, without the nobility

No offense to fervent lovers of fine mechanics, the months are counted for a good number of V6 and V8 blocks carpet under the hoods of the most radical sports cars. Downsizing obliges, they will gradually proceed to the ablation of a handful of cylinders in favor of supercharging (turbo or compressor) sometimes supported by electrification.

Divide and rule

To animate its new C-Class AMG, so far driven by a V8 in its definition C63, Mercedes will opt for a radical solution: divide by two the number of its cylinders. Yes, the future C 63 AMG will only be entitled to a vulgar 4-cylinder artificially boosted with hormones. The Affalterbach company is not at its first attempt, it which worked miracles by drawing more than 420 hp from a modest 2.0 l block with, as a result, the “4 legs” drawing it from the world.

From 421 to more than 500 hp?

This is the same block that the two future AMG variants will inherit of the new generation of Class C, unveiled at the start of the year. At the “entry” level, the one that will replace thecurrent C 43 (V6 390 hp) could be renamed Mercedes-AMG C 45 adopting neither more nor less than the cavalry of its little sister A 45 S (421 hp). Higher in the range, the descendant of the C 63 S will add an electric motor and a battery to achieve its ends, and cross the bar of 510 hp. It remains to be seen how this hypothetical C 65 S will manage the overweight inherent its rechargeable hybridization to deliver similar or even better performance while also improving agility and braking. A thorny equation to solve.

Mercedes-AMG Class C price

Unveiled by the end of 2021, the first representative of the AMG clan on the new C-Class (421 hp) will start her commercial career in early 2022. A C 45 S which will play the bidding against the Audi S4 (V6 diesel – 347 hp) and BMW M340i (6-cyl. petrol – 374 hp), despite its less noble mechanics. Ditto against RS4 (V6 petrol – 450 hp) and M3 (6-cyl. Petrol – 510 hp) for the C 65 S strong of more than 500 hp. Both will be available as sedans and Estate wagons. Tariffs, for their part, should range from € 80,000 to more than € 120,000, depending on the power level.

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