I’d be exaggerating if I said I had to pull myself off the floor after first learning about Mercedes-AMG’s plan, but it certainly came as a shock.
We’ve always known the race to meet the 2021 95g/km fleet average CO2 regulations would bring about widespread downsizing, but so far, much of the performance market has been unaffected by this.
The bombastic V8 in today’s Mercedes-AMG C 63 is an integral part of the model’s character and gives it a USP above six-cylinder rivals from BMW and Audi. Recreating that character will be extremely difficult with a four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, but AMG’s engineers have as much technical know-how and financial might as anyone to make a success of it.
Again, it raises big questions about the future of the V8 in Europe. Traditionally, the popularity of AMG’s larger models in places such as the US and Middle East have offset the desire for greater efficiency here, but with parent firm Daimler potentially facing massive fines if it can’t bring down its CO2 output substantially, drastic action is needed. No doubt other car makers will be facing the same decisions.
Thankfully, our understanding is AMG's V8 still has (we hope) a good few years of life left in its for the larger, pricier AMGs - but Daimler won't want people to be buying them in huge numbers.
This decision is rumoured to have cast divisions between Mercedes-Benz and AMG bosses, with one insider claiming AMG boss Tobias Moers walked out of the meeting where the die was cast. There's undoubtedly a desire for change, but also passion within AMG to keep doing things the way it does best.
But there's a wider, societal debate here, too. Are we passing the point where huge cars with thumping great V8s and 15mpg capability are considered 'cool' by the general populous? Enthusiasts need to remember they are in the minority, and, with ever growing environmental pressure, such cars are surely becoming less desirable and realistic now. That discussion has been had several times in the last decade or so, but this really does feel like the tipping point now.
READ MORE
Next-gen Mercedes-AMG GT to be four-wheel-drive hybrid
2020 Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series set to make 680bhp
Jaguar Land Rover recalls 44,000 cars over CO2 emissions
Join the debate
Add your comment
"Are we passing the point
"Are we passing the point where huge cars with thumping great V8s and 15mpg capability are considered 'cool' by the general populous?"
Were they ever?
@ sporky McGuffin
....I dont think most large capacity Bent Eight owners gave a damn about whether others thought their choice of steed 'cool'
For those who just dont get the expeiience of large cap engines, there are plenty of whiny little Jap Crap 4 cylinders which will rev to hell and back....maybe even run rings around large cap engined cars on a 'give and take' road.
You either 'get it' or you dont....most that have never owned one will never 'get' the joy of galloping torque and the lazy delivery which is so entoxicating....and thats fine by me!
To be blunt...
You don't need big capacity engines to produce lots of BHP, a V4 seems enough, may not sound as good, but,we'll at least to me, that doesn't won't bother me.....
Well it does will me, Pete.
last call...
It's not about power - a V8 just sounds great. I would still like to own a Merc 6.2 V8 for a brief while, just to experience the sound, away from the crowds, just having a last blast before they are priced off the road. In the greater scheme of things, AMG V8s contibute far less to global warming than eating meat, so I would not feel too guilty.
I've had a lot of cars over
I've had a lot of cars over the years, new, used and classics. I'll buy more cars but, sadly, it's a near certainty that I'll never buy a new one ever again.