The future of AMG, Mercedes’ legendary performance division, is taking a sharp turn, and it’s one that many fans of the iconic brand may find hard to digest. AMG’s CEO, Michael Schiebe, is making waves with his recent statement that customers won’t be fazed by the shift from the roaring V-8 engines that have long defined the brand to all-electric powertrains. In a recent interview with Autocar, Schiebe confidently asserted that AMG buyers are more interested in cutting-edge technology than the number of cylinders under the hood. His message: the future is electric, and AMG customers will embrace it.
AMG’s Customers: Tech Over Tradition?
Schiebe’s comments underscore a significant shift in AMG’s approach to performance cars. “Customers who came to the brand because of the V-8 did not come because they just wanted to have a big engine,” Schiebe said. “They came because they loved the technology that we put into the car.” This statement implies that AMG enthusiasts are more driven by the high-tech engineering that has powered the brand’s success than by a specific love for the sound and feel of a V-8 engine. Schiebe seems confident that as long as the latest models come packed with cutting-edge technology—whether electric or hybrid—AMG’s clientele will transition smoothly.
While Schiebe is bullish on the brand’s electric future, AMG’s historic “one man, one engine” philosophy, which has been synonymous with its handcrafted V-8s, appears to be heading for an inevitable end. According to Schiebe, customers will “jump into that new technology” because it represents the latest and greatest performance advancements available. However, for many fans, the transition to electric represents a departure from the visceral, raw appeal that AMG’s V-8 engines have delivered for decades.
The V-8 Isn’t Dead—Yet
Despite Schiebe’s confidence in an electric future, AMG isn’t ready to fully retire the V-8 just yet. Recent reports suggest that AMG has more eight-cylinder models in the pipeline, including the upcoming CLE63, which may have initially been planned with a downsized electrified powertrain but is now set to retain a V-8 due to weak demand for the four-cylinder C63. Massive discounts in Germany indicate the C63’s hybrid powertrain hasn’t been a hit with consumers, prompting AMG to reconsider its strategy for future models.
In addition to the CLE63, the GLC63 has also moved away from the iconic twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8, and AMG has confirmed that the next-generation E63 will also abandon the eight-cylinder engine in favor of a plug-in hybrid 2.0-liter setup. Schiebe has acknowledged that some customers “take time to really be excited for the technology,” urging AMG fans to remain open-minded.
A Shift to Electric: AMG’s Vision for the Future
AMG isn’t just dipping its toes into electric powertrains—it’s diving in headfirst. The company is developing a bespoke electric car platform, dubbed AMG.EA, and is reportedly working on a fully electric supercar inspired by last year’s Vision One-Eleven concept. This electric vehicle will serve as a spiritual successor to the 2013 SLS AMG Electric Drive, which was a technological marvel in its own right.
However, Schiebe has already ruled out another hypercar like the F1-powered AMG One, citing increasingly stringent emissions regulations. The days of combustion-engine hypercars may be numbered, but AMG’s investment in electric performance indicates that the brand is committed to staying at the forefront of innovation.
The Clock Is Ticking for Combustion Power
For now, there are still plenty of six- and eight-cylinder models in the Mercedes lineup, including the V-12 in the Maybach S-Class. However, as emissions regulations tighten and the industry pivots toward electrification, options for traditional combustion engines are dwindling. AMG’s decision to embrace electric and hybrid powertrains signals that the era of high-cylinder performance cars is slowly coming to a close.
Will AMG Buyers Follow?
The big question is whether AMG’s loyal fanbase will follow the brand into its electric future. Schiebe’s belief that AMG customers prioritize technology over engine size may be true for some, but the visceral appeal of a V-8 engine—the sound, the power, the driving experience—has been central to AMG’s identity. While AMG’s electric future is full of promise, convincing die-hard enthusiasts to embrace silent, battery-powered supercars will be a challenge.
As AMG continues to roll out its high-performance plug-in hybrids and electric models, one thing is certain: the brand is betting big on technology. Whether AMG buyers will “jump into that new technology” as Schiebe predicts remains to be seen, but for now, those who crave the rumble of a V-8 still have time to enjoy it—just not for much longer.
