M139 engine production to sunset?

AMG Is Ditching Its Hated Four-Cylinder C63 For Something Much Better | Carscoops

A new report says buyer apathy and the cost of meeting new emissions regulations are the powerful yet soulless engine's undoing

www.carscoops.com

Scroll down to about the 6th paragraph for this interesting Lotus tidbit:
"The report suggest other non-hybrid M139 models such as the 416 hp (420 PS) C43 and 375 hp (380 PS) SL 43 would need to find alternative forms of propulsion. As would the Lotus Emira that uses AMG’s mill, though the British brand is already scouting for a V8 engine to drop in that."

 

[PatrickJS]

Well I didnt expect them ditching the i4 too

 

[Beachbum]

I'm guessing Lotus didnt get much say in the matter, Mercedes just told them how it was
Also, whats hated about the engine, I thought it was considered at worst "OK"

 

[Teshoo Lama]

Well, that was unexpected!

How ironic, that after all the talk of V6 production ending, the Emira could now be V6 only until they can find a V8 solution. As a small manufacturer, Lotus have until 2030 to comply with Euro 7, and Toyota will likely be far more amenable than AMG to supplying an engine that's ended series production.

 

[Andy H]

This is a surprise. I knew about all the hate for the C63 hybrid unit but I thought the base M139 was considered to be a marvel of engineering? I wonder what this will mean in the long term for parts availability on I4 units...