You may already be aware of the Mercedes AMG-GT R’s discontinuation, an unfortunate blow to their performance car lineup. But now, Mercedes is ripping all biturbo V8s from their 2022 model year lineup. With the recent reveal of the Mercedes EQS electric car, there’s certainly a shift from gas-guzzling AMG powerhouses to refined EVs. But that’s not why Mercedes is getting rid of V8s, at least not yet.

Mercedes is killing off V8s due to reported supply-chain issues

Automakers are still facing the wraith of the chip shortage/Covid-19 pandemic, and Mercedes is no exception. In a statement issued to Car and Driver, Mercedes stated “various global, external and internal requirements, as well as several other factors, including but not limited to challenges in the supply chain.” So while the climate around gas cars might be changing, it wasn’t the driving force behind this decision.

That said, it’s already been announced that they’ll stop producing gasoline engines by the end of 2026. So these V8s were already heading to the gallows. And while we know some V8s will be departing from the lineup, we’re not entirely certain which ones.

Which cars won’t have V8s anymore?

We’re hesitant to confirm anything since, while Mercedes has admitted they’re doing away with V8s next year, they haven’t clarified which ones. Currently, Mercedes uses their 4.0L V8 biturbo M176, M177, and M178 engines, which are all tuned differently. The M176 is mostly machine manufactured, whereas the M177 and M178 follow a “one man, one engine” building philosophy. Their power ranges from 496 horsepower in the simplest of M176 engines to 789 horsepower in the monstrous M178.

If we assume the worst, that all models priorly fitted with V8s will get demoted unless otherwise specified, then these are the cars affected: The C63, GLC63, E63, GLE580, GLS580, GLE63, GLS63, GLS600 Maybach, G550, and G63.

We say “unless otherwise specified” because, according to the memo sent to Car and Driver, the S580 and S580 Maybach would keep their V8 engines. But the memo seems to imply that this is a temporary setback, only affecting models for 2022. That begs the question, will all these cars ever get their V8s back?

Will they ever bring V8s back?

If I had to take a guess, I’d say no. Mercedes did mention that there are “external requirements” to worry about in the coming years. And since they’re already making the electric switch, it was only a matter of time before these V8s were no more. Though, if you’re really jonesing for a V8, and have Mercedes money to blow, then the S580 will suit your needs for $116,000. Go all out on the Maybach version, and you’re looking at a car closer to $200,000.

It’s an interesting transition, from gas to electric. And while that isn’t the main motive behind the decision to eliminate V8s from their 2022 lineup, it’s burried in the subtext. More and more we’ll see iconic gasoline engines go away, and wonder what electric motors will become the AMGs of tomorrow.