According to Carscoops, Mercedes-Benz is actively looking for an eco-friendly way to bring the V8 back into the C-Class. The company has already admitted that its groundbreaking hybridized 2.0-liter four-pot didn’t quite find the recognition it deserved, leading to poor sales.
It remains to be seen what kind of V8 will be powering the next C-Class lineup, but the Euro-7 eco standard basically requires it to be electrified to some extent. When the last V8-powered Mercedes-AMG C 63 debuted back in 2018 (see video), it commanded 510 PS (503 hp / 375 kW). The recently announced S-Class sedan lineup starts at 537 PS (530 hp / 395 kW), so that may give us an idea what to expect.
In the meantime, the company’s updated C 53 has been spotted testing outside. According to an earlier leak, the new C 53 utilizes the same 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 as the latest CLE 53, giving it 443 PS (437 hp / 326 kW) and 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque. Rumors claim it will also be available with a superior plug-in hybrid powertrain capable of 578 PS (570 hp / 425 kW) and 750 Nm (553 lb-ft) of torque, while the entry-level C 43 spec will be retired. Granted, this information remains to be confirmed.
On the exterior side of things, the new C-Class sports a revised front end and slightly reshaped brake lights, but otherwise stays the same. Even so, much may change by the year 2027, which is when it is slated to arrive.
