By: IOL Motoring Staff
New York Motor Show - AMG calls it “an intensive open-air ambience”; we call it the convertible that really blows your hair back.
Making its world debut at the Javits Centre is the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Cabriolet with a four-litre biturbo V8 in a choice of 'standard' (350kW/700Nm) or 63 S (375kW/700Nm) output ratings, each driving via a seven-speed AMG Speedshift auto transmission and limited-slip differential - mechanical on the base model and electronic on the 63 S.
Each reduces the slip on the inside wheel when cornering, without using the brakes as in torque vectoring systems, to allow you to accelerate out of corners earlier thanks to the improved traction, reduce wheel-spin during hard acceleration and improve stability under hard braking.
Despite a kerb weight of very nearly two tons, either model will hit 100 from a standstill in just over four seconds and each is electronically limited to 250km/h flat out - or 280 if you opt for the AMG Driver's Package.
Mercedes pops the top on C-Class
It looks the part too, with flared wheel arches over a wider track and bigger wheels, and full AMG aero kit underlining its lowered stance. And it speaks with authority through a specially-tuned exhaust system with a flap that's automatically map-controlled depending on the transmission mode, throttle position and engine revs - or, if you opt for the Performance exhaust system, by a button on the centre console.
Adaptive suspension is standard issue, with each wheel individually modulated and three Ride Control settings - Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus - selectable from a button on the centre console. The electronic stability programme's three settings - On, Sport and Off - combine with three Dynamic Select transmission modes - Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus (plus an extra “Race” mode on the C63 S) to tune the car to the ambient conditions and your driving mood.
The electric power steering is very direct (14.1:1) and not only speed-sensitive but also factors in the current lateral acceleration, and the transmission and ride settings for optimum weighting. Braking is by ventilated discs all round, with a ceramic disc option for the C63 S.
The base version has 18 inch rims wearing 255/40 front and 285/35 rear radials, while the C63 S comes with 19 inch alloys wrapped in 255/35 and 285/30 rubber, while a full range 19 and 20 inch AMG rims is available to order.
OPEN-TOP MOTORING
The power-operated fabric soft top can be raised or lowered at up to 50km/h; an automatic Aircap draught excluder and optional Airscarf neck-level heating make open-top motoring a pleasure any time it's not actually raining - even though stowing the roof reduces boot space from 355 litres to 260.
The instrument panel is trimmed with black synthetic leather with grey contrasting topstitching, set off by a wing-shaped aluminium trim and sporty three-spoked, flat-bottomed Performance steering wheel with a 12 o'clock marking. The instruments (real, not virtual) have carbon-fibre faces and the speedometer reads up to 320 km/h.
The standard sports seats are trimmed in heat-reflecting nappa leather in a two-tone brown and black diamond pattern with grey topstitching. Optional racing seats from the AMG Performance catalogue allow a lower seating position and deeper bolstering for increased lateral support.
Driver aids include include Attention Assist drowsiness detection system and Collision Prevention Assist Plus, which helps to prevent rear-end collisions, plus a raft of optional comfort and safety features.
The C63 AMG Cabriolet will be released in South Africa, together with the rest of the C-Class convertible line-up, in September 2016.