Mercedes-AMG is cutting several high-performance models from its lineup because new emissions and safety rules make them too expensive to keep selling

Mercedes-AMG announced in 2024 that it would discontinue a handful of models, primarily the C63 sedan and coupe, E63 sedan and wagon, and GLC63 SUV in their current form. The reason is straightforward: European Union emissions regulations and U.S. safety standards have become stricter, and retrofitting these gas-powered performance cars to meet the new rules would cost more than the company is willing to spend on models with smaller sales volumes.

This is not a permanent exit from performance vehicles. Mercedes-AMG is replacing these models with electric and hybrid versions over the next two to three years. The company has already launched the C63 S E Performance (a plug-in hybrid) and plans to introduce fully electric AMG models. But the gap between the old lineup and the new one means certain configurations will straightforward vanish from dealer inventory.

If you are shopping for a Mercedes-AMG right now, this matters because it affects what you can actually buy, what the resale market will look like, and whether you should move faster on a model you want.

Key Takeaways

  • The C63, E63, and GLC63 are being discontinued because meeting new EU emissions rules and U.S. safety standards would require expensive redesigns that do not justify the sales volume.
  • Replacement models will be hybrid or electric, arriving over the next two to three years, but there will be a gap where certain AMG configurations are not available.
  • Used prices for discontinued models may rise temporarily because supply will tighten, but long-term resale value depends on how quickly the new models arrive and how buyers receive them.
  • If you want a current-generation gas-powered AMG, dealer inventory is shrinking and you may need to search multiple locations or order from another region.

Which Models Are Actually Being Discontinued

Mercedes-AMG is phasing out the C63 sedan and coupe, the E63 sedan and E63 wagon, and the GLC63 compact SUV. These are all powered by turbocharged V8 or V6 engines in their current generation. The company is also discontinuing some lower-volume variants like the SL63 roadster in certain markets, though availability varies by region.

The cutoff is not when ready. Dealers still have inventory, and some models can be ordered through early 2025, but production is winding down. Once current stock sells, these exact configurations will not return. Mercedes-AMG will offer the C63 S E Performance (a plug-in hybrid with 671 horsepower) as the replacement for the C63, and similar hybrid or electric versions will replace the E63 and GLC63 lines.

Models that are not being discontinued include the G63 SUV, the S63 sedan and coupe, and the AMG GT sports car. These will continue in their current form for now, though they will eventually transition to hybrid powertrains as well.

Why Regulations Are Forcing This Change

The European Union tightened its CO2 emissions standards in 2024 and will tighten them further in 2025. Manufacturers must hit an average emissions target across their entire lineup, and gas-powered V8 performance cars pull that average up significantly. Mercedes-AMG can offset these high-emission models by selling more electric vehicles, but only to a point.

The United States added new side-impact safety requirements and pedestrian protection rules that take effect in 2027. Redesigning the C63 and E63 to meet these standards—reinforcing door frames, adjusting hood geometry, and modifying bumper systems—costs millions. For a model that sells a few thousand units per year globally, that investment does not pencil out when you can instead build a hybrid version that meets the rules with less structural change.

China has its own emissions rules, and Japan has separate safety standards. Mercedes-AMG would need to engineer different versions for different markets, which multiplies the cost. The company decided it was simpler to skip the next generation of pure gas engines and move directly to hybrid and electric powertrains that can be adapted more easily across regions.

What the Replacement Models Will Offer

The C63 S E Performance is already available and pairs a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for 671 total horsepower. It is faster than the old C63 in a straight line but heavier, which changes the driving character. The 0-60 time is quicker, but the steering feel and mid-corner balance are different because of the added weight from the battery.

The E63 replacement will follow a similar formula—a smaller gas engine plus electric power—and is expected in 2025 or 2026. The GLC63 replacement will also be a plug-in hybrid, arriving around the same timeframe. Mercedes-AMG has not yet announced a fully electric C63 or E63, though the company has shown concept vehicles and stated that all-electric AMG models are coming by 2027.

The gap between discontinuation and replacement means that for roughly 12 to 18 months, there will be no new C63 or E63 available at all. Buyers who want a current-generation model need to find one in dealer inventory or on the used market. Buyers willing to wait will have hybrid options, but not the traditional V8 experience.

How This Affects Used Car Prices and Resale Value

Discontinuation typically pushes used prices up in the short term because supply shrinks while demand from buyers who missed the window stays steady. A 2024 C63 or E63 may command a premium over the same model from 2023 because there are fewer of them and no new ones coming. This premium usually lasts 12 to 24 months, then stabilizes.

Long-term resale value depends on how the market receives the hybrid replacements. If buyers embrace the C63 S E Performance and it becomes as desirable as the old C63, used gas-powered C63s may hold value well because they become "classic" performance cars. If buyers prefer the new hybrids and see the old V8s as outdated, used prices could soften after the initial scarcity premium fades.

One wildcard: collector interest. Some buyers view the last generation of naturally aspirated or turbocharged V8 performance cars as the end of an era. If that sentiment takes hold, discontinued C63s and E63s could appreciate like classic cars. But this is speculative and depends on factors Mercedes-AMG cannot control.

What to Do If You Want a Current-Generation AMG Model

If you want a gas-powered C63, E63, or GLC63, start by calling or visiting your local Mercedes-Benz dealer and asking what they have in stock. Be specific about the year, engine, and transmission you want. If they do not have it, ask whether they can locate one through the dealer network or order one from another region before production ends.

Expect to pay above MSRP if you are ordering now, because dealers know supply is tightening. Negotiate firmly, but understand that scarcity gives dealers leverage. If you are flexible on color, interior, or minor options, you may find better pricing on existing inventory than on a custom order.

Check the production end date with your dealer. Some models may still be orderable through mid-2025, while others are already closed to new orders. Once the window closes, your only option is the used market, where prices will be higher but selection will still exist for several years.

When the Hybrid and Electric Replacements Will Arrive

The C63 S E Performance is available now and can be ordered when ready. It is the direct replacement for the C63 sedan and coupe. The E63 hybrid replacement is expected to launch in late 2025 or early 2026. The GLC63 hybrid should follow in 2026.

Mercedes-AMG has not announced specific dates for fully electric versions of these models, but the company has stated that an electric C-Class AMG and E-Class AMG are in development. These are likely 2027 or 2028 arrivals. Until then, the plug-in hybrids will be the only new AMG options in these segments.

If you are willing to wait and want the latest technology, the hybrid models will offer better efficiency and lower emissions than the current V8s. If you want the traditional AMG experience, you will need to buy used or move quickly on a current-generation model before dealer inventory runs out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still order a 2024 or 2025 C63 with a V8 engine?

Possibly, but the window is closing. Contact your dealer when ready to ask about remaining allocation and production end dates. Some regions may still accept orders through mid-2025, but others are already closed. Once production ends, your only option is the used market.

Will the C63 S E Performance be as good as the old V8 C63?

It is faster in a straight line and more efficient, but it is heavier and handles differently. The hybrid has 671 horsepower versus the old C63's 503, so acceleration is sharper. However, the added weight from the battery changes the steering feel and mid-corner balance. Whether it is "better" depends on what matters to you.

Should I buy a discontinued model now or wait for the hybrid replacement?

If you want the traditional V8 experience, buy now while inventory exists. If you prioritize efficiency, lower emissions, and the latest technology, wait for the hybrid. Used prices for discontinued models will likely rise in the short term due to scarcity, so waiting may cost you more money, not less.

Will discontinued C63s and E63s become collector cars?

Possibly. The last generation of turbocharged V8 performance cars may appeal to collectors as the end of an era. However, this is speculative and depends on market sentiment. Do not buy a discontinued model expecting it to appreciate unless you also enjoy driving it.

Are other manufacturers discontinuing performance models for the same reason?

Yes. BMW, Audi, and Porsche are all transitioning to hybrid and electric powertrains for their performance lines due to the same EU emissions and U.S. safety regulations. This is an industry-wide shift, not unique to Mercedes-AMG.