By: IOL Motoring Staff
Zwartkop, Gauteng - The super saloon war intensifies on local soil this week as Mercedes-AMG launches its potent new C63 in South Africa.
Merc's latest super-saloon puts the Dynamite into engine Downsizing: while the engine displacement is down from 6208cc to just 3982cc, the brand new AMG-developed V8 has two turbochargers to boost Merc's compact super saloon to new levels of fury.
Whereas its normally aspirated predecessor managed 'just' 336kW and 600Nm, the new C63 kicks out 350kW and 650Nm in standard form and 375kW/700Nm in the case of the 'S' version. It is a bit lower-revving though as in both cases maximum power is produced between 5500 and 6250rpm.
According to Merc's claimed figures, the C63 S is just 0.1 seconds quicker to 100 than its standard sibling, taking four seconds on the dot, while both will reach 290km/h when ordered with the optional AMG Driver's Package.
Shoving all that power to the rear wheels is a specially tuned AMG Speedshift seven-speed automatic gearbox with up to five driver-selectable modes and a double-clutching function on downshifts.
AMG CHASSIS, BRAKES
Looking after the cornering part of the equation is an AMG Ride Control sports suspension with three levels of damping adjustment and there's a mechanical rear diff lock (electronically controlled in the case of the C63 S) to reduce inner wheel slip without the need for braking intervention.
When anchorage is needed, you can call upon AMG's high-performance braking system with internally ventilated and perforated 360mm brake discs at all corners and if only the best will do, Mercedes also offers a ceramic composite system as an option on the C63 S.
IT'S GOT THE LOOK
The standard C63 is fitted with 18-inch alloys while the S gets 19-inch rims. In addition, the exterior and cabin of both versions are set apart by a glut of unique AMG design touches and there are plenty of boxes to tick on the options list, including race-style performance seats.
Mercedes-AMG is also offering a more flavoursome Edition 1 version which sports its own set of unique design features and additional equipment.
BUT WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
Jesse Adams got to taste its potential around the Portimao racing circuit in Portugal back in March and described it as “absurdly fast” and added that it's quite a handful at times. You can read his story HERE .
Denis Droppa will be trying this new AMG out for size on a local circuit in Gauteng later this week, so be sure to see the motoring supplement in The Star, Mercury or Cape Times next Thursday (4 June) for his impressions.
PRICES
C63 (350kW/650Nm) - R1 004 700
C63 Edition 1 (350kW/650Nm) - R1 216 700
C63 S (375kW/700Nm) - R1 163 800
C63 S Edition 1 (375kW/700Nm) - R1 338 800
ALTERNATIVES
Audi RS4 Avant (331kW/430Nm) - R1 039 000
BMW M3 4dr AT (317kW/550Nm) - R1 063 592