A Blubbering Blunder: Mercedes-AMGs Four Cylinder Engines
Image: Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance Saloon
Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG have been making some strange decisions lately. The EQ line-up of cars has received a lukewarm reception and suffered catastrophic depreciation. As for their combustion-engine efforts, they’re broadly fine, but the range feels saturated, and the build quality isn’t quite what you’d expect from a Mercedes.
The EQ range is a story for another day, but today we’re looking at one of the strangest decisions Mercedes has made: the four-cylinder AMG cars.
From experience, I’ve only driven the A 35 and A 45/A 45 S models, which are great little cars. A four-cylinder suits those cars because they’re hatchbacks, and having 300-420bhp at your disposal in something the size of a shoebox is hilariously good fun. So, I’d say the A 35 and A 45 models are excluded from this criticism.
My main issue, and seemingly everyone else’s, is Mercedes-AMG putting the same engine from an A 45 into much bigger models, including the C-Class, GLC, SL and AMG GT.
Initially, when they launched the four-cylinder C 43 AMG, people were upset that it went from a 3.0-litre V6 to a 2.0-litre four-cylinder. You could argue this was acceptable as the power figures were better, but it was missing that gorgeous V6 engine note. The same applies to the GLC 43 AMG - identical story there.
Image: Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC saloon
People were pissed off all over again when Mercedes revealed the AMG GT 43 and SL 43 models. These are huge, expensive cars that serve as Mercedes’ halo products, and a four-cylinder absolutely should not be in a car like that. Imagine if they did that with the S-Class.
It’s not even as if they sound good either, with an exhaust note best described as a hairdryer. No wonder these aren’t worth much, much less than the 55 and 63 versions of the same cars.
However, the biggest insult of all are the C 63 and GLC 63 S E Performance models. Yes, they have 600bhp, can do a 0-60mph sprint in less time than it takes to say the model name, and feature incredibly aggressive styling. Sounds good? No, not at all.
Image: Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance engine bay
The ‘63’ badge signifies the very best an AMG can be: the biggest engine, the most power, and the best driving experience. The C/GLC 63 S E Performance models certainly have more power than their predecessors, but they fall short in the engine and driving experience departments. They use the same four-cylinder engine from an A45, paired with a heavy hybrid system, which hinders driving dynamics, sound, that sense of theatre and, most amusingly of all, second-hand values.
On paper, the C 63 S E Performance should be the better car:
| Old C 63 S | New C 63 S E Performance | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 503 bhp | 671 bhp |
| Torque | 516 lb ft | 752 lb ft |
| 0–62 mph | 3.9 seconds | 3.4 seconds |
| Top speed |
155 mph (limited) 180 mph with Driver’s Package |
155 mph (limited) 174 mph with AMG Driver’s Package |
| Fuel economy | 26–30 mpg | 41 mpg |
| Engine size | 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 |
2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Rear-mounted electric motor |
| Weight | 1750–1800 kg | 2111–2165 kg |
| Powertrain | RWD | AWD |
At the time of writing, there are just 34 C 63 S E Performance models (saloons and estates) for sale on AutoTrader, with the cheapest being a late-2023 registered estate, top spec, and with just over 10,000 miles, priced at £63,785. That’s practically half the price of a new one. If you think that’s not bad for a three-year-old car, well, there are some examples for sale that are barely a year old, for not much more.
So, what are Mercedes going to do? Well, the C 43 has already been taken off sale, and the C 63 S E Performance’s days appear to be numbered. As for the fast GLC models, Mercedes-AMG has revealed the new GLC 53, which replaces both the GLC 43 and GLC 63 S E Performance. It features a 443bhp 3.0-litre straight-six, non-hybrid petrol engine. Rejoice! They’ve listened!
Image: Mercedes-AMG GLC 53 4MATIC+ Coupe
With the A-Class coming to an end in 2026/2027, the AMG four-cylinder will soon be dead. Look, I have nothing against a hot four-banger - they make great engines for hot hatches and smaller sports cars, but they do not belong in a flagship performance car, especially one known for having a batshit-crazy V8 with an exhaust note loud enough to wake the dead.
Mercedes should never have put these engines in the C-Class, GLC, SL and AMG GT models. Instead, they should have done what they’ve done with the E 53 AMG and CLE 53 AMG and used the 3.0-litre straight-six petrol. We wouldn’t be in this situation now if they hadn’t completely cocked up the planning for this generation of AMGs.
Here’s an idea:, they can always use that new flat-plane crank V8 as seen in the new S-Class, give it some more power and put that in the next set of ‘63’ models - now that would be hot.