New Mercedes-AMG C 63 is a 671bhp plug-in hybrid

• C 63 trades V8 for four-cylinder hybrid
• Huge increase in power
• Full unveiling due in coming months

The upcoming Mercedes-AMG C 63 has been shown off at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. When it launches, the high-performance version of the Mercedes C-Class will renew its rivalry with the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, BMW M3 and the Audi RS5 Sportback.

But while the Alfa Romeo and BMW both offer around 500bhp, the C 63 delivers up to 671bhp despite it having a much smaller engine than before. Instead of the old car’s 4.0-litre V8 petrol, the new car gets a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. It’s the same one as is in the Mercedes-AMG A 45, but tuned to an amazing 470bhp, making it the most powerful four-cylinder engine in production.

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That’s not all, though, because the new C 63 is a plug-in hybrid. That hugely powerful petrol engine is joined by a potent electric motor. No range or performance figures have been released (this car is still a prototype) but the C 63’s electric motor is likely to assist more with acceleration than be focused on efficiency and low running costs.

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Even with the new hybrid system, the smaller and lighter engine up front could make the next C 63 more agile than its predecessor. It’ll come with Mercedes’ 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system, which could offer a rear-wheel-drive mode for keen drivers.

Over the standard C-Class, the C 63 has purposeful styling additions, with jutting side skirts and a model-specific grille with vertical strakes. The bootlid will play host to a lip spoiler, and there’ll be four chrome-finished exhaust tips along with wide air intakes and a diffuser.

The C 63 will be officially revealed in a few months, before going on sale in 2023. A price of around £80,000 is likely.

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