Mercedes-AMG’s Beloved V8 Will Live Longer Than Expected

With demand for electric vehicles shrinking, many automakers have changed their plans for electrification, with Mercedes-Benz opting to invest billions in high-tech combustion technology. This follows an earlier announcement, where the German giant said it would revise its EV strategy to focus on hybrids and PHEVs.

So what does this mean for AMG’s thunderous V8s? Speaking to Autocar, AMG CEO Michael Schiebe said there is no official end date for ICE technology to be phased out of high-performance AMG models.

Customers Will Have To Adapt To Electrification

Known across the world for its rambunctious V8 motors with angry soundtracks, AMG has slowly been preparing itself (and its customers) for electrification. The new electrified four-cylinder, found in the C63 S E Performance, is hugely powerful and offers V8-rivaling power and performance. That said, it’s not exactly a hit with diehard AMG fans.

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Regarding this, Schiebe said, “For some customers, they take time to really be excited for the technology”, but noted that the four-pot has also brought new customers to the brand. “At AMG we are a technology brand, and we don’t want to say it’s only the V8 and we’ll do that forever,” he added. AMG has already introduced all-electric models, based on the EQE and EQS lines. However, this is just the beginning.

AMG Will Go All-Electric Someday, But It’s Not Happening Now

In 2022, the luxury brand revealed the striking Mercedes Vision AMG, which serves as a preview of AMG’s future. Underpinned by the AMG.EA architecture, the electric performer will gain motivation from an Axial Flux Motor that’s more powerful and compact than current electric motors. Many gearheads perceive EVs (even performance cars) as soulless in comparison to their ICE-engined counterparts, but AMG’s CEO is hoping to buck the trend.

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“It’s incredible how emotional it will be. We will see an all-electric AMG car sooner rather than later, and then we will see how many customers jump on this technology,” he said. AMG has plans to introduce more hybrids too, and Schiebe has alluded to combustion engines sticking around until 2035. “I don’t want to put a specific date or strategic direction because we are fully flexible here.”

New CLE 63 Could Get A V8 After All

Whatever the case may be, the writing is on the wall: AMG will eventually become an all-electric company, although there’s no end date for this, said the CEO. When asked about the forthcoming CLE 63 AMG, Schiebe didn’t give much away, but did say the performance arm “took the right decision” and noted that customers “will be excited once we hit the market.” Earlier reports suggested that the apathetic response to the C63’s four-cylinder has pushed Mercedes-AMG to equip the CLE with a V8, which is what most customers want.

Source:
Autocar