This V8-Swapped Mercedes C63 Is The BMW M3’s Worst Nightmare originally appeared on Autoblog.
This is the V8-powered W206 C63 that Mercedes-AMG refused to build
The BMW M3’s chief rival—none other than the W206 Mercedes-AMG C63 S—is a cracking sports sedan, but its four-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain has not thrilled fans like the old V8. Going from a V8 to a four-pot hybrid was simply too big of a move from one generation to the next, which is why the hybrid power plant is set to be replaced. Until that happens, C63 fans will have to turn to aftermarket tuners to get the W206 C63 they really want. Leading the charge is Vuk Manufaktur, a German tuner that has just completed the C63’s transformation from four-cylinder PHEV to V8-powered brute.
A Widebody Kit To Match The V8 Roar
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Earlier this year, Vuk Manufaktur showed us that it had created a new C63 with the much-loved 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8. According to the tuner, it was the world’s first W206 C-Class with a V8, and it took two years of development, probably because replacing the stock C63’s complicated plug-in hybrid system with a V8 wasn’t as straightforward as a normal engine swap.
Now, Vuk has revealed a dramatic body kit for this W206, giving it the visual punch to match that V8 growl. The tuner calls this the Vuk EVOlutionX, and it’s obvious that the kit was inspired by the legendary 190E Evolution II.
In front, there is a huge new splitter along with rods that run into the bumper. The Vuk logo replaces the Mercedes one on the fully blacked-out grille. Along the sides, there are much wider fenders than on the normal model, and Vuk has gone as far as to return the beloved “V8 BITURBO” badge to this C63, replacing the standard model’s “TURBO E PERFORMANCE” badge. The six-spoke wheels harken back to the 190E, and they have blue accents, as do the new side skirts.
The new rear wing is hilariously large and will surely raise the eyebrows of Mitsubishi Lancer Evo drivers, but that’s another feature shared with the 190E. And this is now the only C63 to fully justify the fitment of four tailpipes.
How Much Power Does It Make?
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Vuk didn’t share the outputs of its awesome creation, but we know that the previous-generation C63 produced up to 503 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque in ‘S’ form. Those numbers look weedy next to the new C63 hybrid, which manages 671 hp combined, but we’re sure that many AMG fans are willing to trade in some horsepower for the V8’s unmatched soundtrack. Either way, we don’t expect the C63 from Vuks to match the stock model’s 0-60 mph time of around three seconds, based on independent testing.
“Technically, the four-cylinder is one of the most advanced drivetrains available in a production car,” said an insider from Mercedes recently. “It’s also right up there on performance. But despite this, it failed to resonate with our traditional customers. We’ve recognized that.”
While a V8 is not a guarantee for the next C63, we expect that Mercedes-AMG won’t settle for anything less than a six-cylinder mill, based on the cool reception to the current four-cylinder hybrid model.
Until then, tuners like Vuk Manufaktur are around to build the W206 C63 S that Mercedes-AMG should have in the first place. Only 63 of these V8-powered W206s will be built, but pricing is unknown.
Related: 2025 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance First Drive: Overkill through complexity
This V8-Swapped Mercedes C63 Is The BMW M3’s Worst Nightmare first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 18, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
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