Mercedes-AMG Brings Back V8 Engines After Backlash Over Hybrid Models

AMG’s Course Correction

For years, AMG became known as the car company that made wheeled equivalents of sledgehammers. Back then, its cars were loud, brash, and unashamedly unruly. Forget lap times, AMG was about roasting tires and hooliganism, a stark contrast to its rivals.

More recently, however, AMG had toned down a fair bit. Sure, the cars made the power, but we have to admit that the flair and the magic that defined it took a back seat. That was further emphasized by C63 with its four-cylinder plug-in hybrid arrangement, and it failed to resonate with buyers.

Thankfully, Mercedes-Benz and AMG are taking corrective measures, at least in the powertrain department. Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz said it would fit inline-sixes into its compact models. Now, AMG promises the return of more V8s.

The AMG Boss Confirmed it

In a sit-down with Car, the CEO of Mercedes-AMG, Michael Schiebe, confirmed that the company will roll out new combustion-powered models and promised to be ‘more AMG than ever before.’ And yes, folks, the V8 comeback has been confirmed by the executive.

“At the end of the year, you’ll see the V8 coming back to AMG. We will launch it again with SUVs, but other cars will get it too,” said Schiebe to Car. It’s likely that AMG will work its magic on the flat-plane crank V8 that was recently introduced in the new S-Class, and we expect great things from that.

What Cars Will Get the V8?

For now, the executive isn’t saying what specific models will get the new AMG-tuned V8 engines. Given that SUVs will get it first, there’s a good chance that the facelifted versions of the GLE 63 and GLS 63 might be the first beneficiaries of that flat-plane crank V8.

As for the other cars, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that V8 power will return to the E-Class and revive the E63 nameplate. Currently, the E-Class is not available with an eight-cylinder engine, and it would be great if it returned. At the same time, we’re hoping we get a V8 in the C-Class once more. Besides, the company promised that it wants to be ‘more AMG than ever before.’

Car also hinted that AMG will make special models unique to the brand. Of course, there’s the SL and GT, but there may be more on the way. One model we can confirm is the more hardcore version of the CLE that will be the second vehicle in the company to wear the Mythos badge. We’re hoping for more, of course, and we saw it’s a step in the right direction for the sport-luxury brand.