Ever since hybrid supercars burst onto the scene, there is a Mexican standoff going on in the automotive industry. And it all hinges on the question of “who will pull the trigger on the next hybrid-electric performance rush?”
Porsche took the lead with its hybrid Cayenne and Panamera a decade ago. But since then, no one else has taken up the idea of adding hybrid-electric wizardry to their production performance cars. That is until now. Step forward Mercedes-AMG, who have pulled the trigger and is going all-in with the idea.
Mercedes-AMG’s hybrid-electric performance future
It is no secret that Mercedes-AMG wants to see some of the magical Formula One world title-winning pixie dust being applied to Johnny Average’s next purchase. Already the company is working hard to adapt the powertrain into a road-legal hypercar. Of which, stricter WLTP emissions have set its delivery back from its original 2019 target.
No matter. With the impetus from Mercedes-Benz to embrace electrification wholeheartedly, AMG is charging ahead with its future hybrid and electric drivetrains. In a recent showcase, the performance arm revealed its next-generation hybrid powertrain for the AMG C63, confirming what many have feared. It will come with a four-cylinder engine.
A four-cylinder engine with a hybrid motor sounds very Toyota Camry. But don’t think it will be your average Uber fare. The four-cylinder powerplant in question is a reworked version of AMG’s M139 or the AMG A45 S’ rocket engine.
In this case, the rework involves fitting an electrically-assisted turbocharger to eliminate lag, and boost power to a grand 330kW. Power is sent to the back via a nine-speed dual-clutch, as it should be for a C63. And from there it gets a little complicated.
Mounted to the rear axle is a 150kW electric motor fed by a bank of 6.1kWh liquid-cooled 400V batteries. Not only will the electric motor offer zero-emission propulsion and deliver torque to either rear wheel. Should the rear tyres be overwhelmed, the motor can send power to the front wheels via the driveshaft.
This being an AMG derivative, high speeds are par of for the course. To that end, the electric motor will get its own two-speed gearbox. This gives the electric motor a higher gear ratio for the electric motor to operate at speeds above 140km/h.
Who will follow?
Though exact performance details of its hybrid-electric performance drivetrains are still under wrap, AMG says that more than 600kW of system power and over 1000Nm of system torque is ‘technically possible’. The only question is, would AMG customers look past the quartet of cylinders and embrace its V8-slaying stats. If the tepid response of Porsche’s four-cylinder 718 in more ‘traditional markets’ is anything to go by, it looks to be a tough sell.
Nevertheless, for fans of AMG’s sonorous V8s, the company plans to amp up its GT63 four-door coupe with some hybrid trickery. Rumours have it that it will reuse the legendary ‘73’ designation, which sounds irresistible for ardent AMG fans.
One has to wonder who is next, now that Mercedes-AMG’s hybrid-electric performance roadmap is in the works?
BMW is the closest to embrace the concept with its ‘45e’ variants. However, a full-fat hybrid M model? That is another story. Though BMW is dabbling with all-electric models and hybrids, the M Division won’t jump in until the water is exactly right.
Arguably, Peugeot Sport might have beat Mercedes-AMG to the punch with its 508 Peugeot Sport Engineered, though not exactly a direct comparison to AMG’s ‘63’ creations.
The most likely of the premium player lot that will embrace electrification would be Audi Sport. Considering how Volkswagen itself is persuading its brands to tag along on its grand electrification adventure, adapting it to the performance models wouldn’t be too much of an ask. Ingolstadt already stole a march on that front thanks, in part, to Porsche.
Either way, it looks like the next decade is going to be an interesting time for performance car enthusiasts everywhere. The dawn of the hybrid-electric performance car is upon us, and despite the naysayers, it does look glorious.