Mercedes-AMG to axe C63 in favour of 6-cylinder C53?

If the rumour is true, Mercedes-AMG’s axing of the C43 and C63 could be part of the company's C-Class’ mid-life refresh.

April 16, 2025

CAR Magazine 1 minute read

The days of the ‘C63’ badge might be numbered. According to Mercedes-Benz Passion Blog, the German marque is reportedly preparing to axe both the C43 and C63 models in favour of a new six-cylinder alternative: the C53.

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If the rumour is proved true, this change will likely form part of the current-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class’ mid-life refresh, which will probably be announced in the next year or two.

The C53 will allegedly be powered by a version of the (M256) 3l, inline-six engine that’s already used in the CLE 53 and, like the latter model, deliver power to all four corners via Mercedes-Benz’s 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system. As a reminder, in CLE 53 application, the M256 power unit delivers 330kW and 560N.m of torque, with 600N.m of twisting force available for short durations thanks to the internal combustion engine’s (ICE) incorporation of mild-hybrid technology.

In addition to the C63 S E Performance, which impressed on our test strip for its July 2024 road test in CAR magazine, the pinnacle C’s C43 understudy – which employs a 2l four-cylinder turbocharged petrol ICE producing 300kW and 500N.m – could also be a casualty of this rumoured move.

As a reminder, the C63 S E Performance’s plug-in hybrid powertrain couples a 350kW/545N.m 2l, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol ICE with a 150kW/320N.m electric motor for jaw-dropping combined peak power and torque outputs of 500kW and 1 020N.m.

On our test strip, the all-paw C63 completed the 0-100km/h dash in a whip-crack 3.37 seconds, besting the Affalterbach-based automaker’s claim by three-hundredths of a second.