AMG Takes Last Inevitable Step Towards Electrification
With AMG’s electrification mindset, will the price of brutish AMG models elevate into the stratosphere?
We all knew it was going to happen. AMG would implement hybrid tech into their line. The AMG ONE promised this. But what we didn’t expect was AMG to give the C-class this much of a change.
It’s not fully electric yet, but AMG has announced the new C63 will get a significant amount of its grunt from a battery. By now you’ve seen the details. Gone is the beloved V8 configuration, and in its place is the 2.0 liter 4 cylinder M139. It’s a good enough engine in its own right, no doubt. But it’s simply not going to replace the sound of a V8. What will replace the V8 grunt is a 200 horsepower electric motor according to Top Gear.
In total the combination will churn out 600 horsepower. It will guarantee the C63 AMG will be faster than the outgoing model. Most AMG’s are going this way. The GT 73e, the AMG ONE, and other have promised and already delivered on electrification. But this is the first implementation that really changes the ethos of the car in question. Fact is, the C63 AMG just won’t be the same any more. We know they’ll sell, and probably do quite well. But with this distinctive shift in the AMG paradigm, will this inherently inflate prices for old AMG models? We genuinely think so.
For a long time, AMG’s powered by an M113 – supercharged or otherwise – were traditionally always in a buyer’s market. This was compounded by the fact that the next generation of V8 AMG’s were even better. And that story was repeated, even in the turbo era. However, with that coming to an abrupt end, if anyone wants a V8 rumble, you’re forced to buy an older car.
This has given us the hunch that the infamous mercedes depreciation may no longer be a thing. One thing is for sure. We could be flat-out wrong about increasing prices for AMGs. But it would be an incredibly bad bet to say their prices will dive lower than their current level.
Photos: Top Gear
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