With the arrival of the 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class, car enthusiasts know that it’s only a matter of time until the hot rod C63 AMG shows up.
However, according to Autocar, Mercedes may bridge the gap between regular C-Class models and the AMG with a new model called the C450 AMG Sport.
This semi-AMG C-Class will reportedly feature a tuned version of the 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 that powers the 2015 C400, producing 367 horsepower. The rest of the car would receive less-extreme chassis tuning than the C63, and both rear-wheel drive and 4MATIC all-wheel drive would be offered.
The next C63 AMG, meanwhile, could retain V8 power like the current model, even though rival BMW has downsized to six-cylinder engines for its M3 sedan and M4 coupe.
BMW has offered M Sport packages and other performance upgrades for its non-M cars in the past, so the C450 AMG Sport could be Mercedes’ answer to those middle-of-the-road models.
For now, though, the only confirmed 2015 C-Class models for the U.S. are the C300, with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, and the aforementioned C400, which packs 329 hp and 354 lb-ft.
Mercedes will also reportedly offer an AMG Line trim package for the 2015 C-Class, although this one is purely cosmetic and can be applied to either the C300 or C400.
