The high-performance variant of Mercedes鈥檚 entry-luxury C-class sedan returns as the 2024 C63, but this time it will get a radically different engine. The previous generation was powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 with either 469 or 503 horsepower, but this new-generation C63 is motivated by a gasoline engine half that size: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that combines with an electric motor to make a whopping 671 horsepower in total. The new plug-in hybrid setup promises to improve upon the previous C63鈥檚 great performance, though the engine鈥檚 character has no doubt changed radically. To help mitigate turbo lag, the downsized engine uses an electrically powered turbocharger system related to the one found in Mercedes-AMG鈥檚 Formula 1 race car. Running in full-electric mode, a fully-charged battery should provide about 6 miles of driving range. The rest of the package is heavily based on the new C-class that debuted for the 2022 model year but with racier styling and a spruced-up interior. Mercedes-AMG has also confirmed that the junior C43 model will also return to the lineup, but we review that model separately.

The C63 is all new for the 2024 model year and, unlike last year, it will be offered solely as a sedan. We expect to see the 2024 C63 roll into Mercedes dealerships in the middle of 2023.

Mercedes-AMG hasn鈥檛 released pricing yet but we expect the C63 to follow the new trim levels that launched with the 2022 C-class, starting with the Premium base trim at around $95,000 and going up from there.

Gone is the old twin-turbo V-8 engine from the last-generation C63 and in its place is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder. But before you get disappointed at an engine half the size of the old one, you should know that this inline-four will be augmented by a 201-hp electric motor and uses an electric turbocharger to reduce turbo lag. The new high-performance plug-in hybrid propulsion system will pump out a massive 671 horsepower, giving it an edge over rival performance sedans such as the BMW M3 and the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing, at least on paper. This setup allows for some limited all-electric driving, but only about 6 miles or so; its purpose instead is to provide similar performance to the outgoing car with better overall fuel economy. During our first test drive, we were impressed with the C63's sharp handling and explosive acceleration. The electrified powertrain packs a wallop and we think it'll be capable of hitting 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds. We were able to sample the car on a race course as well as on public roads, and its cruising demeanor is more comfortable than the outgoing model.

The C63's onboard battery pack isn't just good for providing a bit of electric boost to aid performance, it can also be used to power the car on electrons alone for those times when you need a quiet commute. We estimate that the 4.8-kWh battery pack will be good for only about 6 miles of all-electric driving but it can be charged either by being plugged into a charging station or power outlet, or by using the car's regenerative braking.

The EPA hasn't released fuel economy figures for the 2024 C63 sedan yet. But due to the introduction of the downsized engine and hybrid system, we're expecting to see some fuel efficiency improvements over the outgoing model which was rated at 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. When we get a chance, we'll take the new C63 sedan on our 75-mph highway fuel-economy test route and update this story with its results. For more information about the C63鈥檚 fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

The C63鈥檚 cabin looks much like the standard C-class and junior AMG C43 model, but it sports unique upholstery and stitching patterns as well as AMG-branded sport seats with openings cut out to help save weight. Mercedes hasn鈥檛 detailed every feature and option, but we expect to see plenty of luxury and convenience items available, including a panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled seats, four-zone automatic climate control, and more.

All models will likely come with the same large 11.9-inch infotainment touchscreen that is integrated into the center console and canted slightly toward the driver in the C43 model. A 12.3-inch digital gauge display will also likely be standard. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto should both be standard for wireless connectivity, and a high-end Burmester stereo system is expected to be available too.

Like the C43, the C63 will offer a host of standard driver-assistance features but unfortunately, the car's coolest tech, which includes an adaptive cruise-control system that utilizes navigation data to adjust the vehicle's speed for upcoming curves and roundabouts, will probably remain an optional upgrade. For more information about the C43's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features are likely to include:

Although rivals such as BMW, Genesis, and Volvo offer three years of complimentary maintenance, Mercedes-AMG omits that benefit from its standard warranty offerings. Otherwise, all new AMGs come with an industry-standard plan that covers most things for up to four years or 50,000 miles.

Specifications

2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E-Performance Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

PRICE (C/D EST) Base: $95,000

POWERTRAINSTurbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, 469 hp, 402 lb-ft + AC motor, 201 hp, 236 lb-ft (combined output: 671 hp, 752 lb-ft; 4.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack; 3.7-kW onboard charger) Transmissions F/R: 9-speed automatic, 2-speed automatic

DIMENSIONS Wheelbase: 113.2 in Length: 190.6 in Width: 74.8 in Height: 57.4 in Passenger Volume: 94 ft3 Trunk Volume: 10 ft3 Curb Weight (C/D est): 4700 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST) 60 mph: 3.0 sec 100 mph: 6.7 sec 1/4-Mile: 10.8 sec Top Speed: 174 mph

EPA FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST) Combined/City/Highway: 21/18/25 mpg Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 35 MPGe EV Range: 6 mi