Mercedes-Benz says it'll build V8s for at least a decade, but has no plans for a new AMG C63 V8

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that the V8 engine is far from dead, with plans to keep building eight-cylinder powerplants for at least another decade. However, the company has also made clear that it will not develop a new V8 for the AMG C63, meaning the current-generation model will stay with its four-cylinder hybrid setup. Driving enthusiasts hoping for a comeback may be disappointed, but the German automaker is hedging its bets by maintaining V8s across its larger and more expensive models.

The decision to skip a V8 in the C63 is significant because that car has long been the benchmark in its performance-sedan class. In Saudi Arabia, where large-displacement engines carry plenty of appeal, the C63 competes directly with the BMW M3 and Audi RS5, both of which still offer six-cylinder power. That puts the Mercedes at something of a disadvantage for traditionalists who measure performance by cylinder count and exhaust note.

That said, Mercedes is not abandoning the V8 entirely. Models higher up the range, such as the GT, the E63, and various S-Class and G-Class variants, will continue to use the engine. The caveat is that future V8s will likely sound tamer than their predecessors. Stricter noise regulations mean the aggressive pops and crackles that have become signature AMG traits could be dialed back, so buyers who savor that soundtrack may need to look at older, pre-regulation examples.

For Saudi shoppers, the key takeaway is timing. If you want a new Mercedes with a V8, you still have options, but you should expect a more subdued experience. If you specifically want a C63 with a V8, your only path is the used market, where previous generations hold their value well. Alternatively, test the current C63's hybrid powertrain to see if the added efficiency and immediate torque outweigh the loss of the rumble.

Ultimately, Mercedes is trying to satisfy both regulators and enthusiasts for as long as possible. By keeping V8s alive in its flagship lineup while skipping them in the C63, the brand is signaling that the era of the compact muscle sedan is over, even if the V8 itself still has years left to run.