4+1=8?

Mercedes-AMG's most enthusiast focused sedan just debuted sans a V8. It now has the most technically advanced four-cylinder weaponised hybrid in the world. Is this the new replacement for displacement? We take it out on the BIC to find out

- Dipayan Dutta

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance 4Matic+ is probably not the wildest C-Class to ever be bestowed the 63 title. But one glance at the spec sheet and the performance, and this new C 63 -- which identifies as a PHEV -- is by far the most powerful, quickest accelerating and most technically advanced C 63 to hoon its way out of Affalterbach. We had the unique opportunity to get a sense of the C 63 on India’s only FIA Grade 1-rated track, the Buddh International Circuit.

There’s no V8 in this C 63, yes. And in fact, it has the same combustion motor as the A45 S, with a slightly larger turbo. Making this the most powerful 2.0-litre turbo-charged 4-cylinder in the world. The larger turbo brings the peak output to around 470bhp and 545Nm of torque. But here’s the thing, this is the same motor that AMG put on the A45 S, a hatchback, and even if it is the most powerful forced-induced 2-litre out there, just that is simply not going to cut it. This brings me to the C 63’s piece de resistance, the powertrain.

Short of the AMG One, this has to be the most tech-laden PHEV on the market from Mercedes. It’s bursting with trickle-down tech from Formula 1. So that seems like the perfect place to start. There are three motors in total on the S E Performance.

One at the back that’s got its two-step transmission, the 4-cylinder petrol motor and a tiny motor on the turbo that spins up the turbo before the exhaust gases make their way to it. All for a lag-less instantaneous roundhouse torque kick every time you prod the throttle. All of this is cool, but it isn’t C 63 cool, right? But wait that’s not even scratching the surface.