There isn't a replacement for displacement they always say and we certainly can't agree more, especially after a spirited drive in a Mercedes C 63 AMG. This car is no ordinary Mercedes junior executive saloon mind you.
For those of you unfamiliar with AMG, it is Mercedes-Benz's official tuning arm. AMG cars have special hand-built engines that are painstakingly put together at their plant in Affalterbach, near Stuttgart. Each engine is built by one man from start to finish and his name and signature will be put on a badge that sits on the engine cover. AMG cars are sold worldwide through official Mercedes dealers.
New to the recently updated C 63 is the seven-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT gearbox as used in the E 63, CLS 63 and SL 63 stable mates. Despite sharing its name with the SLS AMG's double clutch box, the C 63's is basically Mercedes' 7G-Tronic auto box but instead of being equipped with a torque converter, the C 63 box is equipped with a wet clutch.
It'll take forever to explain how this innovative gearbox works but trust us, it has transformed the C 63's character when compared to the pre-facelift models thanks to its quicker and more incisive shifts when compared to the 7G-Tronic box in the pre-facelift model. The box also features four drive modes, 'Comfort', 'Sport', 'Sport+' and 'Manual' as well as a RS 'Race Start' function that can be selected via a new rotary knob next to the gear lever.
For those of you unfamiliar with AMG, it is Mercedes-Benz's official tuning arm. AMG cars have special hand-built engines that are painstakingly put together at their plant in Affalterbach, near Stuttgart. Each engine is built by one man from start to finish and his name and signature will be put on a badge that sits on the engine cover. AMG cars are sold worldwide through official Mercedes dealers.
New to the recently updated C 63 is the seven-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT gearbox as used in the E 63, CLS 63 and SL 63 stable mates. Despite sharing its name with the SLS AMG's double clutch box, the C 63's is basically Mercedes' 7G-Tronic auto box but instead of being equipped with a torque converter, the C 63 box is equipped with a wet clutch.
It'll take forever to explain how this innovative gearbox works but trust us, it has transformed the C 63's character when compared to the pre-facelift models thanks to its quicker and more incisive shifts when compared to the 7G-Tronic box in the pre-facelift model. The box also features four drive modes, 'Comfort', 'Sport', 'Sport+' and 'Manual' as well as a RS 'Race Start' function that can be selected via a new rotary knob next to the gear lever.
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But nothing beats the soundtrack from the exhaust and the engine. The sweet bellow from the V8 is just so highly addictive even though it sounds a tad more restrained in the standard car when compared to the FIA Medical Car C 63 estate that we see at every F1 race.
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Exterior
To differentiate it from lesser C-Class models, the C 63 gets an unmistakable aerodynamic kit on the outside. But it's rather subtle - there's no ostentatious or flamboyant wings and addenda. The only hint of aggression is the quad exhaust tips underneath the rear diffuser and the heavily flared wheel arches hiding wider tracks and bigger wheels while the boot lid spoiler is a rather small and subtle affair.
Other go faster bits include 18-inch AMG alloys that hide massive brakes with red calipers, power domes on the bonnet, sportier radiator grille and a deep front bumper. The new C 63 also gets the latest C-Class' exterior styling tweaks that include new, sculpted headlamps, LED tail lamps and so on.
To differentiate it from lesser C-Class models, the C 63 gets an unmistakable aerodynamic kit on the outside. But it's rather subtle - there's no ostentatious or flamboyant wings and addenda. The only hint of aggression is the quad exhaust tips underneath the rear diffuser and the heavily flared wheel arches hiding wider tracks and bigger wheels while the boot lid spoiler is a rather small and subtle affair.
Other go faster bits include 18-inch AMG alloys that hide massive brakes with red calipers, power domes on the bonnet, sportier radiator grille and a deep front bumper. The new C 63 also gets the latest C-Class' exterior styling tweaks that include new, sculpted headlamps, LED tail lamps and so on.
Interior
Inside there are AMG logos on the side sills, ultra supportive sports seats and bespoke instruments to remind you that this is no ordinary Merc. The instruments feature a 320km/h speedo, AMG logo on the speedometer and '6.3 V8' on the rev counter to remain you that this is no ordinary C-Class while the multi-function screen features an additional AMG mode that doubles up as a shift light, oil temp and lap time readouts.
Additional go faster bits include alloy foot pedals and a flat bottomed steering wheel with superb suede covered grip areas.
Inside there are AMG logos on the side sills, ultra supportive sports seats and bespoke instruments to remind you that this is no ordinary Merc. The instruments feature a 320km/h speedo, AMG logo on the speedometer and '6.3 V8' on the rev counter to remain you that this is no ordinary C-Class while the multi-function screen features an additional AMG mode that doubles up as a shift light, oil temp and lap time readouts.
Additional go faster bits include alloy foot pedals and a flat bottomed steering wheel with superb suede covered grip areas.
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The Drive
Underneath the bulging bonnet of the C 63 AMG tested here lies a massive, specially tuned, gargantuan 6.2-litre V8 that pumps out 457bhp in stock specification. Performance in the C 63 is just mind-blowing. 0-100km/h takes just 4.5 seconds, quick enough to see off far more exotic machinery out there.
All local C 63s are fitted with the AMG Performance Package and the C 63's power output swells to 487bhp with its 0-100km/h time dropping to 4.4 seconds. Forget about modified puny 2-litre engines with big turbos too - this is what sheer raw power and torque feels like. The V8 produces a gut wrenching 600Nm of torque at 5000rpm. With so much pulling power throughout the rev range, you'll never need to select a lower gear to keep up with traffic.
The C 63 has a stiffer and more rigid body than other C-Class models and it shows in the way it handles in the turns. For a start, the steering feels more precise and sharp. The AMG tuned sports suspension offers a fantastic compromise between ride and handling. It controls lateral body movements brilliantly in the corners while endowing passengers with a comfortable enough ride when cruising.
Underneath the bulging bonnet of the C 63 AMG tested here lies a massive, specially tuned, gargantuan 6.2-litre V8 that pumps out 457bhp in stock specification. Performance in the C 63 is just mind-blowing. 0-100km/h takes just 4.5 seconds, quick enough to see off far more exotic machinery out there.
All local C 63s are fitted with the AMG Performance Package and the C 63's power output swells to 487bhp with its 0-100km/h time dropping to 4.4 seconds. Forget about modified puny 2-litre engines with big turbos too - this is what sheer raw power and torque feels like. The V8 produces a gut wrenching 600Nm of torque at 5000rpm. With so much pulling power throughout the rev range, you'll never need to select a lower gear to keep up with traffic.
The C 63 has a stiffer and more rigid body than other C-Class models and it shows in the way it handles in the turns. For a start, the steering feels more precise and sharp. The AMG tuned sports suspension offers a fantastic compromise between ride and handling. It controls lateral body movements brilliantly in the corners while endowing passengers with a comfortable enough ride when cruising.
With so much power and torque transmitted to the rear wheels though, traction can easily be broken. With the ESP on, the electronics allow a bit of slip and some minor tail wagging before it intervenes. With the ESP off though, you can play hooligan with this car - opposite lock, drifting, oversteer, burn outs - you name it!
Conclusion
Thanks to effortless grunt from its outrageous V8 motor, the Mercedes C 63 AMG is the epitome of understated performance and aggression. It's something that you can drive quickly to anywhere for any purpose without attracting much attention. Quite simply, it is the ultimate Q car.
Conclusion
Thanks to effortless grunt from its outrageous V8 motor, the Mercedes C 63 AMG is the epitome of understated performance and aggression. It's something that you can drive quickly to anywhere for any purpose without attracting much attention. Quite simply, it is the ultimate Q car.
