Faro Portugal - Leave it to Mercedes-AMG to take things up a notch ... or two. The team has launched an attack on the performance-sedan segment with the introduction of not one, but two new C63 AMG models – each of which makes a power-output mockery of all other cars in their class.
Gone is the old C63’s naturally-aspirated 6.2-litre V8, and in its place is the same four-litre V8 (but tuned differently) as used in the new AMG GT sports-car. But don’t let the capacity decrease fool you. AMG has gone the turbo route this time around, and with a pair of altitude compensators mounted inside the engine’s vee, power is up. Significantly up.
When the blitzen-Benz lands in South Africa in May, it will come in two flavours: a “normal” C63 with 350kW and 650Nm, and a gutsier C63 S with 375kW and 700Nm. I drove both at the car’s international launch in Portugal, and I can confirm that each is absurdly fast.
True, Mercedes makes cars endowed with much higher outputs than these, but in the relatively small 1650kg C-Class body this amount of oomph is enough to make your right foot second-guess what your brain might ask of it. As I found out while doing some hot laps around the Portimao racing circuit, full throttle can be dangerous if traction control is off. Hoof the gas too soon out of a corner and be prepared to catch the ensuing drift. Trust me, it happens quickly.
KEEPING WEIGHT DOWN
Merc’s engineers on hand at the media event said that all-wheel drive was an option with this model, but elected against it to keep weight down. A ballsy decision I'd say, and one which results in whimsical wheelspins. I'd like to believe a 4Matic system will become available in the future, even if it's not sold in our market. Cars such as the current E63 AMG are equipped with AWD as an option overseas.
Both C63s come with seven-speed MCT (multi-clutch) gearboxes, and with standard Race Start launch-control systems claimed 0-100km/h figures are 4.0 and 4.1 seconds for the S and non-S respectively. Top speed is limited to 250km/h but for R36 000 (C63) and R13 500 (C63 S) Mercedes will raise that to 290 for you.
As with most high-end Mercedes today, a little thumbwheel in the centre console allows you to choose between four drive settings including Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual (driver programmable), and in the C63 S there's a fifth Race option. These will alter suspension stiffness, throttle sensitivity, gearbox alertness, ESP stage, and exhaust loudness accordingly.
DRASTIC METAMORPHOSIS
When I recently drove Mercedes-AMG's flagship the GT (launching in SA later this year) I came away impressed with the drastic metamorphosis in character it's capable of when scrolling between drive settings, and the C63 is much the same.
It's a comfy place to spend long distances in when in Comfort mode, its seats bolstered with typical Mercedes softness and its exhaust calmly gurgling away. But engage Sport+ or Race mode and its inner brute awakens with ultra-sensitive responses to controls accompanied by a savage snarl from the back.
They say turbochargers naturally quieten an engine, but AMG never got that memo.
Besides extra power and Race mode, the C63 S also benefits from dynamic engine mounts that can instantly soften or tighten depending on driving style. This, says AMG, minimises drivetrain movement within the chassis for better steering feel and control. The S also gets carbon-ceramic brakes as an R85 000 option, and an electronic (rather than mechanical) diff-lock.
Other options for both derivatives include an exterior carbon package (R35 800), performance seats (R34 500), and a Night Package which comes with special front, rear and side spoilers as well as mirror caps and black tailpipes (R12 000) among others. Rim size is 18-inch as standard but a range of 19-inch alloys can be fitted for between R20 000 and R35 500.
PRICING:
C63 AMG - R1 004 700
C63 AMG S - R1 163 800
- Star Motoring
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