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Mercedes Says Bye to EQ-Model Names, Hello Again to V-8, Baby G-Wagen
Even as Mercedes-Benz celebrates its solid-state battery prototype, which just hit the road for the first time, it’s planning to bring back the V-8. Yes, the engine that it yanked from the C63 and E63 in favor of a hybridized and turbocharged four-cylinder, and the same engine that went on hiatus in 2022.
AMG, Mercedes’ performance division, told Top Gear that “strategic evolution of its portfolio will include a next-generation, high-tech electrified V8.” Fans of German performance will know that Mercedes-AMG already has a hybrid V-8 in its portfolio, which we most recently experienced in the delightfully indulgent GT 63 S E Performance. Whether this “next-generation” V-8 will be an evolution of that powerplant or an all-new one is unclear. The wisdom of the decision, on the other hand, is obvious.
Sales of the four-cylinder C63 AMG were widely reported to be atrocious. Since the C63 was one of the more accessible (read: higher volume) AMG products, that drop was likely more threatening than a similar chance in a lower-volume, higher-priced car would be. Mercedes introduced it in September of 2022 and not a year later was promising to bring back the V-8. On the other hand, the superlative cars in the AMG range, including the G-wagen, never seemed in danger of losing their V-8s, even if the Coupe gained a hybrid system and the G-wagen got an electric variant.
Part of the failure of the four-pot AMG was likely due to nomenclature. Even when the biturbo V-8 reigned supreme, some AMGs had fewer cylinders. The “53” moniker traditionally denotes a variant of the given model (C-Class, E-Class, GLE) that has a six-, rather than an eight-cylinder. Arguably, Mercedes’ biggest mistake was not making a four-cylinder AMG model but labeling such a car with “63,” the moniker that exclusively meant “V-8.” (It’s not the first time a brand has protected and served a name, or number, only to attempt a bait-and-switch.)
That the “new” V-8 will be “electrified” only makes sense. Typically, that word is PR code for “hybrid,” indicating that electric motors will be used somewhere in the driveline but not specifying where or how. We’d expect AMG to use a plug-in hybrid system to grant the car some amount of EV-only range, so that customers can take their look-at-me-mobile through ULEZ zones and park it in front of Versace or Chanel. It’s had such componentry for a while, actually: Back in 2021, it detailed an Electric Drive Unit that combined a motor, two-speed transmission, and electronic limited-slip diff and could power a set of wheels on its own up to 81 mph.
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In short, Mercedes is leaning back into what made it profitable—including off-roaders, specifically a “baby” G-class, as confirmed to Top Gear. No wonder why: The original G-wagen is a bona fide collectible, and the most recent one has become the default automotive status symbol, driven by famous names ranging from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Simone Biles to Travis Scott. A smaller version of the G-wagen, which looks the same, has the same twin-turbo V-8, and has the added benefit of being smaller and thus more cute? Sounds like a ticket to print money, if you ask us.
As you will have gathered, the return of a refreshed V-8 to its traditional homes in the Mercedes portfolio matters mostly to those who can afford Affalterbach’s most expensive creations. It probably also matters to Aston Martin, who sources engines from Mercedes and has gone through “a frenzy of product development” in the past four years, as CEO Adrian Hallmark (previously of Bentley) recently told Automotive News. In that same interview, he admitted: “We can’t afford to do combustion engines, hybrids, and electric cars and just see which ones work.”
The announcement of a next-gen V-8 and confirmation of a smaller G-wagen isn’t all the change afoot at Mercedes lately—the brand has stopped trying to differentiate its EV models as the products of an EQ subbrand. When the electric EQS sedan first launched, in 2021, Mercedes beat into us the correct (and impenetrable) name: The EQS 580 (or 450+) 4MATIC by Mercedes-EQ.
Mercedes-EQ was, presumably, intended to be a sub-brand like Mercedes-AMG. Benz gave up that fight quickly, because nobody could remember to call the sedan anything but “an EQS.” (Another refrain from the manufacturer: Don’t call it an electric S-Class. Why would you? The two are on different platforms.) The EQ designation will stick around, but not as a model name—more of an epithet indicating its driveline, as in “the CLA with EQ Technology.” Will Benz give up altogether, and roll out “an electric S-Class”? It’s already calling the G 580 with EQ Technology “the electric G-Class.”
The two distinctions that matter in the luxury car market, it would appear, are “the electric one” or “the one with the V-8.”
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No. One. Wants. Them. Everyone wants V6 or V8 gasoline engines. Other manufacturers should pay attention and follow Mercedes.
Weeeeeeelll… AMG’s straight sixes have form and a history. Fours? Even heavily breathed-upon fours? Not so much. Add hybrid drivetrains to the big motors by all means. Why not? Makes any vehicle faster and more economical, just more expensive. Not the main issue here. Performance is.
Look up the Suzuki Jimny Brabus it’s pretty cool. Mini G-Wagen.
Mercedes didn’t base their reputation on weedy little engines afflicted with the 4Ps; the pathetic patter of puny pistons. Anyone who buys a $150K+ Mercedes roadster wants a fire breathing, chest thumping Teutonic V8 with enough torque to slow the rotation of the earth and enough horsepower to put the car into orbit. Nothing succeeds like excess. People obsessed with fuel mileage should buy a Geo Metro. Mercedes roadsters are a “somewhat” different market.
Considering how poorly calibrated the Turbo4/Hybrid setup is integrated on the C63 I can imagine the V8 being much the same but with even more ridiculous power. Can we skip the plugin part and just get the V8?