Mercedes-Benz to axe six- and eight-cylinder engines from new C-Class, including AMG
A report overseas claims all-new Mercedes C-Class models – even AMG versions – will be powered by a four-cylinder engine.
Mercedes-Benz is set to ditch six- and eight-cylinder engines from its all-new C-Class range.
Reports out of the US reaffirm even halo Mercedes-AMG C43 and C63 models will be powered by a hybridised four-cylinder turbo engine.
The all-new 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is set to be revealed later this month, and it's expected all variants, including the AMG hero cars, will be powered by a four-cylinder engine with varying levels of hybridisation.
While spy shots of the new C-Class (internal code W206) have been around for a while, details of the ground-up new ‘baby’ Benz are beginning to emerge ahead of a likely official reveal on February 23 or 24.
The biggest change is Merc’s decision to axe six- and eight-cylinder models from the range, leaving lovers of AMG variants with a powerful hybridised four-cylinder engine under the bonnet.
Under the skin, the W206 C-Class will ride on the brand’s MLA platform, borrowed from the flagship S-Class. It will be longer than the outgoing model too, by around 60mm. All variants will be either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, with power from the various four-pot engines will be sent to the wheels exclusively via Mercedes’ nine-speed automatic transmission.
Mercedes-Benz is considering a range of four-cylinder turbocharged engines, which in the mid-spec C300 will make about 190kW and 400Nm.
Overseas reports from earlier this month indicate the flagship C63 will pair the AMG A45 S hot hatch’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder with a slew of electric motors, reportedly set to develop 410kW and 800Nm.
The mid-tier AMG C43 is expected to adopt the C53 moniker, with power coming from a 48-volt mild-hybridised version of the A45 S’s 310kW/500Nm four-pot.
There will also be a range of plug-in hybrid models with reports suggesting larger-capacity batteries should see the C-Class claim around 100km of pure electric range.
Inside, the new C-Class borrows heavily from its larger S-Class stablemate, a large central touchscreen controlling the car’s infotainment functions. An absence of physical buttons has already been flagged by Merc’s head of design, so expect that ethos to continue through to the C-Class.
Additionally, a jacked-up station wagon variant – the C-Class All-Terrain – has been spied testing in Europe. Merc currently has an E-Class All-Terrain in its range. However, the smaller C-Class version will go squarely up against the Volkswagen Passat Alltrack, Audi A4 Allroad and Volvo V60 Cross Country.
Australian deliveries are still a way from being confirmed, however CarAdvice understands the W206 Mercedes C-Class could make it into local showrooms in late 2021 or early 2022, with AMG variants some time after that.
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