Mercedes-AMG C-Class to get engine overhaul

Wednesday, 5 August 2020

The Mercedes-AMG A 45 S is seriously quick. How quick? Well, it can foot it with these five legends to our open road speed limit...

The forthcoming AMG C-Class refresh looks to be switching up the engine offerings quite drastically.

The C 53 will replace the V6-powered C 43 and, despite the 53 badge typically indicating a straight-six engine, will apparently downsize into a tuned version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder found in the current AMG A 45 S.

It should produce somewhere in the vicinity of 320kW in order to outpace the outgoing C 43 (and the A 45 S hatchback) and could be paired with a nine-speed automatic gearbox and updated all-wheel drive system.

New C43 goes and steers like a proper AMG. But you need the $5000 exhaust system to complete the package.

The power bump will come in tandem with emissions reductions thanks to a degree of electrification, which will probably include AMG’s new electric turbocharger that is said to virtually eliminate turbo lag.

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It’s undoubtedly a monster but does it have the chops to replace AMG’s howling straight-six or its burly V8 for the new C-Class? We’re not sure.

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However, things don’t quite seem to add up.

Firstly, while the A 45’s engine almost certainly has room to stretch its legs (despite already producing a healthy 310kW) we don’t see Mercedes ditching the electrified M256 straight-six so soon. The thing only debuted in 2017 while the ‘53’ badge has been around since 2018.

Secondly, the M256 already makes 320kW/520Nm before factoring in any temporary electrical boost. Why would Mercedes retune the four-pot to make similar power? The only reason we can think of is that AMG is considering using a retuned M256 engine as a replacement for the 4.0-litre V8 in the C 63 and C 63 S, where it makes a maximum of 375kW/510Nm. Then it could recycle the 45 badge on the C-Class and safely slot in the turbo four.

Some reports, like this one from Autocar UK, have claimed the C 63 would also get the 2.0-litre four but that seems a bit too much of a stretch. C 63 buyers expect a certain degree of engine theatrics and while the four is no slouch, it doesn’t carry the same gravitas as a burly V8 or the howling straight-six.

But of course, all of this is conjecture until Mercedes makes an official statement on the matter.