Mercedes-AMG V8 Engine Coming Back for 2026

New Mercedes-AMG V8 will be a ‘high-tech electrified V8’ that has us counting down the days until its arrival.

It’s back baby! No, we are not talking about the McRib, we are talking about something even more tasty. The Mercedes-AMG V8 engine. The AMG calling card has long been the powerful V8 engine that sounded like a NASCAR Cup Car coming down the front straight at Daytona.

But as the world has begun to move to smaller and smaller engines, and even electric motors, the V8 became endangered. And sure enough a couple of years ago it was announced that the Mercedes-AMG V8 would be going away. The 2025 AMG C63 is now powered by a 2.0L inline-4 with electric motor assistance. It is powerful and the car is quick, but it isn’t a V8.

Buyers were not happy with the engine downsizing, but we all thought that we would have no choice and never see the V8 again. That is why the investor meeting report issued by Mercedes-Benz on February 20 was so fascinating. The report mentioned the development of a new, smaller G-Class and that drew a lot of attention. But in that same report there was even more exciting news. The Mercedes-AMG V8 engine is coming back!

The Plan

“Mercedes-AMG plans to outgrow the performance market, thanks to a heavily refreshed model lineup from 2026 onwards and a strategic evolution of its portfolio, which will include a next-generation, high-tech electrified V8 and dedicated high-performance electric models based on AMG.EA,” said Mercedes-Benz in their financial results statement.

There is not much else in the way of details beyond that, so we can only speculate from there. But it seems pretty obvious that the next V8 will be a hybrid, and we think everyone will be OK with that. The current Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance makes 671 horsepower and 752 pound-feet of torque. Again, that is with a tiny 2.0L 4 pot. Power isn’t the problem. But the visceral experience is lacking. That is what we hope to get back with the V8.

Even if the V8 has the same power and the performance figures are exactly the same as the current car, nearly everyone would still want the V8.

New V8 Models

We have referenced the C63 a couple of times in this article, but the truth is that we don’t know for sure if that model will get the new V8. Given the poor sales since the switch to the 4-cylinder it would make sense. But life doesn’t always make sense. The new hybrid V8 would likely be used in several Mercedes-AMG models moving forward.

That should bring some customers back. Mercedes appears to be doing the right thing here and giving the people what they want. Now the onus is going to be on the people. To everyone that complained about the move to the smaller engine. Mercedes listened, and the V8 is coming back.

Now you have to do your part and go out there and buy one when you get the chance. Don’t let them regret their decision. And don’t you miss out on driving a V8 that has been brought back from the dead.

Photos: Mercedes-Benz

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Joe Kucinski

Joe has been obsessed with cars since he got his very first Matchbox toy in the ‘70s. In 2003, he found a new obsession in track days that led to obtaining his SCCA competition license in 2015. In 2019, he became a certified driving instructor for the National Auto Sport Association. His love for all things four wheels has never wavered, whether it's driving some of the best cars in the world on the racetrack, tackling 2,000-mile road trips in 2-seat sports cars or being winched off the side of a mountaintop in a Jeep. Writing for the suite of Internet Brands Auto Communities sites, including Rennlist.com, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, 6 Speed and more allows him to share that knowledge and passion with others.