These are tough times for enthusiasts. Thanks to downsizing and electrification, the ‘experience’ factor is becoming less and less present. For a normal one Mercedes such as the A 180 or C 200, this does not matter much, but it does matter for the larger, thicker, more expensive and sportier models. This is especially the case with Mercedes. More than with other brands, those V8 engines are an important part of the experience. According to Mercedes boss Michael Schiebe, that is not too bad and customers are not concerned about the V8.
Against the British Coach he says: ‘Customers who came to the brand because of the V8 didn’t do so just because of the engine. They came to AMG for the technologies we put into the cars. When it comes to electric, I’m pretty sure they’ll switch because it’ll be the latest and greatest you can get.” So it’s not a case of Stockholm syndrome, he really thinks that the Mercedes-AMG V8 enthusiasts will switch over and appreciate it.
Why is it a bold statement?
That is a very bold statement. Mercedes has the greatest possible difficulty in selling the C 63 to customers. That car is packed with technology and is the most modern car in its class. Yet people mainly choose the BMW M3, probably because this car still has a six-cylinder. There are currently about ten copies registered in the Netherlands, very few for a car that has been available for more than a year.
Good news for Mercedes V8 enthusiasts
It’s all confusing messages. AMG is currently busy testing the CLE 63 AMG. It was reportedly initially going to have the same drivetrain as the C 63 (after all, the CLE is a two-door C), but halfway through development they decided to use the V8. So we know what Mr. Scheibe’s statements are worth when they pull the curtain off CLE 63. The rumors that the C 63 has a V8 after all were found to be incorrect (at least so far)
Now there is some logic behind it from Mercedes. The idea was that the sedans are popular in Asia, while American customers still like a V8. In China, for example, the engine is much less relevant to the customer than to the Western and American customer. That’s all well and good, but then we would like an inline six. Is that possible?