Mercedes-AMG‘s hot wagon is gearing up for an electrified future, bidding farewell to the V8.
A prototype of the redesigned 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 Estate plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has been spied during winter testing.
It’ll rival not only the established Audi RS4 Avant but also the upcoming BMW M3 Touring. It’s unlikely to come here, however, with Mercedes-Benz Australia having ruled out the C-Class Estate and its new All-Terrain sibling.
As the prototype was stationary, our spy photographers were able to capture some close-up photos of both the exterior and interior.
Splattered all around the exterior and interior of the C63 Estate prototype are hybrid stickers that point to the car’s electrified powertrain.
Mercedes-AMG has previously confirmed it’s re-engineered the AMG A45‘s M139 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine for longitudinal applications and will use it in the AMG C-Class range.
It’s been reworked and pumps out more power than before.
From a base of 330kW of power, the fettled M139 engine can be combined with an electric motor developing up to 150kW and 320Nm of torque, though combined power and torque figures have yet to be released.
The A45 currently produces 310kW and 500Nm, whereas the current C63 S produces 375kW and 700Nm.
Mercedes-AMG says the total power and torque from this new electrified powertrain will surpass current “comparable” models with non-hybrid V8 engines.
At the front is a Panamericana grille insert with vertical louvres, a dinner plate-sized camouflaged Mercedes-Benz emblem, and large side air intakes.
Around the side are some large, cross-drilled brake rotors and filler doors on both sides. It’s safe to say that one of these will be for the plug-in hybrid charging port.
From the back the C63 Estate prototype has four squared-off exhaust tips with a tow bar as well. It’s unknown at this stage how much the C63 Estate will be able to tow.
Inside, the C63 Estate protoype is largely undisguised but has typical prototype additions such as an emergency stop button, a monitor and a laptop mount.
The new-generation C-Class interior is heavily inspired by the new S-Class and this C63 Estate prototype has the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 11.9-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system.
It’s expected these screens will have dedicated AMG screen modes and content.
A noticeable point of difference between this C63 Estate prototype and the regular C-Class is its steering wheel, which is a flat-bottomed AMG-branded unit.
It’s unclear when Mercedes-AMG will debut its new-generation C63 sedan and wagon, but the regular Mercedes-Benz C-Class was revealed in early 2021.
The Australian launch for the regular C-Class was originally slated for the fourth quarter of 2021, but has now been pushed back to an unknown date due to semiconductor shortages.
