Mercedes-AMG C53 only for next-gen W206 model, C350e successor to get longer EV range – report

Just days after Daimler applied to reserve the ‘C 53’ nameplate with the World Intellectual Property Organisation, a Mercedes-Benz public relations officer said the company isn’t looking to expand the AMG range for the current W205 C-Class. Instead, the AMG C 53 will only be introduced in the next-generation W206 line-up.

At the launch of the facelifted C-Class in Germany, Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific’s public relations and product communications manager Jerry Stamoulis told GoAuto that “anything is technically possible, but there is no consideration at this stage for a 53 powertrain for the C-Class. The 43 package is enough for this vehicle – it’s a lot lighter than an E-Class, I think it does everything that you want a C 43 to do, so it’s probably the right package for that car right now.”

The facelifted C 43 soldiers on with the company’s existing M257 3.0 litre V6 engine that makes 385 hp at 6,100 rpm and 520 Nm from 2,500 to 5,000 rpm. That’s 23 hp more than the pre-facelift version thanks to a larger turbocharger and higher boost pressure, and is closer in terms of output to the new AMG 53’s M256 3.0 litre straight-six (435 hp/520 Nm) engine. The latter, however, does come with a 48 V mild hybrid system for an additional 22 hp and 250 Nm.

It makes perfect sense to think that the next-gen AMG C 53 will be positioned between the base C 43 and top-of-the-line C 63, but Mercedes-Benz could also offer a non-AMG C 450 in place of the C 43, which means the W206 C-Class line-up will continue on with two AMG-badged (C 53 and C 63) variants.

Currently, the M256 engine is the only electrified petrol engine in AMG’s stable, save for the upcoming F1-derived Project One hypercar. The next petrol engine (non-AMG) to come with EQ Boost assistance is the entry-level C 200, which supplies an additional 13 hp and 160 Nm to the new M264 1.5 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. In totality, the petrol mill (available in C 200 and C 200 4Matic models) produces 181 hp at 5,800 to 6,100 rpm and 280 Nm of torque from 3,000 to 4,000 rpm.

For the Australian market, Stamoulis said he would like to see the EQ Boost system be rolled out across a greater range of models. “I think the C 200 is a really good example of what can be done and I for one would love to see this type of technology across our range, it’s fantastic,” he said, adding that “we constantly give feedback to headquarters and I think not only our internal feedback but our customer feedback will encourage headquarters to roll this out to other vehicles.”

Mercedes-Benz isn’t done refreshing the W205 C-Class line-up – the C 350 e‘s successor has yet to break cover, and it’s earmarked to come with an upgraded hybrid system, allowing for a longer pure-EV driving range than the 30 km limit on the outgoing model.

GALLERY: W205 Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic facelift

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