Mercedes AMG C63S first drive

[LoudPipes]

I'm not completely sold on its looks but I'd love one.

Mercedes-AMG C63 first drive review

Date: 24 February, 2015
Andrew Maclean
National Motoring Editor

If this is the future of the V8 - the future looks very bright.

It wasn't until I was cruising along a bumpy rural backroad at rather pedestrian speeds that I had a lightbulb moment in defining the all-new Mercedes-AMG C63 S – one of the most eagerly anticipated new car arrivals for 2015.

It wasn't because I now had the time to think about how rapidly it had just been thrown around the demanding Portimao circuit in southern Portugal during our world first preview drive. Or how easy it was to transform its rear tyres into clouds of smoke and hang it on the lock stops for hundreds of metres. Or how great its growling 375kW V8 sounds soaring towards its redline.

You take those elements of its character as a given, especially considering how utterly brilliant its predecessor is and the fact that the all-new model is more powerful and quicker than ever before. Of course it is…

Instead, the lightbulb moment came as the C63 S loped along quietly, its exhaust note whispering a faint burble into the cabin and its new high-tech V8 barely drinking more than 8-litres per 00km of fuel while its suspension soaked up a rather nasty section of road rash without even flinching, none of which are character traits you would associate with the last-generation C63 which was noisy, thirsty and stiff in any situation, and at any speed. It was simply an old school muscle car re-interpreted by Mercedes-Benz with a veneer of European class. And it was great…for the time.

But the latest C63 is an entirely new beast that has adapted to the modern environment and with a broader spread of clearly defined personalities that makes it both more enjoyable to live with everyday and even more thrilling to drive for the occasional track day outing or backroad blast.

As always, the heart of the C63 is its engine, and despite the reduction in capacity – down from 6.2-litres of naturally-aspirated grunt to 4.0-litres of twin-turbo twist – it lacks for nothing. In its Comfort setting, it is quiet and refined and the seven-speed automatic quickly and smoothly skips through to top gear, allowing it to use all 700Nm of torque to effortlessly cruise along. It even has a sailing mode at highway speeds – where the engine and gearbox disengage when you lift off the accelerator – to help it achieve a claimed average fuel consumption of 8.4L/100km; about the same as a regular small hatchback.

Rapid acceleration, during overtaking for example, is never far away though as the twin-turbos quickly spool up to unleash an instant surge of pulling power as its peak torque is now spread across a broad rev range between 1750-4500rpm. It also uncorks a little more bark from its V8 as the revs rise too.

But it gets even better in the Sport and Sport + modes, as a flap in the standard Performance Exhaust system liberates a deeper, more prominent growl under acceleration as well as a sharper crack between gearchanges and a thoroughly addictive burble of unburnt fuel when you back off.

And in full Race mode, with launch control, it is capable of sprinting to 100km/h in just four seconds flat, which is supercar quick…and it feels like it.

Needless to say, with so much low-rev pulling power, it is pretty easy to overcome the sticky 265/35 19-inch Michelin Pilot Super Sports on the back, but it is harnessed well by an electronically controlled limited slip diff that improves traction.

The well-sorted electric power steering also helps as it is beautifully weighted with good on-centre feel for straight line-stability and instant response to turn-in with plenty of feedback from the widened front axle.

Like the engine, the adaptive suspension offers a noticeable change in character between Comfort and the Sport/Race modes, with the former managing to soak up most road irregularities without crashing through to the cabin while the latter trades a sharper ride for less body roll and vertical movement to keep the C63 sitting flat through the bends.

The only gripe during our first drive was the significant amount of road noise generated by the tyres, even on smooth surfaces.

Otherwise, the C63 carries all the hallmarks of refinement that elevated the standard C-Class to the top step of the podium as Drive's 2014 Car of the Year champion. The cabin is beautifully presented and fully loaded with a host of unique AMG enhancements, such as the snug performance seats, carbon fibre trim and chunky flat bottomed steering wheel which make it look and feel as much as a sports car as it does a luxury car.

And in all of that, as the likes of fast Falcons and heroic Holdens are facing extinction, the C63 S perfectly showcases the evolution of the muscle car.


Mercedes-AMG C63 S pricing and specifications

On sale: August 2015

Price: $154,900 (plus on-road costs)

Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8

Power: 375kW at 5500-6250rpm

Torque: 700Nm at 1750-4500rpm

Transmission: 7-spd automatic, RWD

Consumption: 8.4L/100km

http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-reviews/mercedesamg-c63-first-drive-review-20150224-13myw8.html

[Polyal]

Yeah really nice.

Although I like the front of the car I think the rear is soft, really soft, like Korean soft.

Otherwise its mint. Overall I think the previous gen just seems to have more mongrel?

[XR6Runner]

The technology is amazing, how are they getting those fuel figures??

[Wretched]

Look forward to seeing and hearing these on the roads sometime soon.

[Boza]

is it me or does the front bar look almost the same as the new m3 dunno I like the previous amg's looks more menacing

[1TUFFUTE]

Even if those economy numbers were a little off, who would pick at that. That's amazing economy. Good turbo tech I'd say

[smoo]

Unreal fuel figures. Another nail in the coffin for diesel passenger vehicles.

[Black F6]

if its getting those fuel figures, imagine what a tune could do to waken this up

[andrich]

Id buy a C63 in a heart beat.
Love the styling (although the rear is abit of a step back on the current model) and performance, fuel economy is insane (not that it will achieve the figures they suggest lol).
Love what AMG has been doing in recent years.
The current model C63 will definitely be a future classic

[Fab]

Chris Harris' video review.

http://youtu.be/n4XUTu2lzTo

[GTP534]

I like it ...... one of my favourite cars.

If I had the means this is what I'd buy!

[Fordman1]

Yep I'd have one too if I could

[Syndrome]

I don't want to judge it until I hear one in the flesh. The superceded 6.3 atmo engine sounded pure porn.

[GTPete]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

I don't want to judge it until I hear one in the flesh. The superceded 6.3 atmo engine sounded pure porn.

And at 79k or there abouts the older versions 2009 etc are almost affordable.

[winkle]

One in red, please

[anto]

Needs a bigger grille badge

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

I don't want to judge it until I hear one in the flesh. The superceded 6.3 atmo engine sounded pure porn.

Yeah that sound.... there was one passing me the other day and I swear it sounded like it had the pipes dropped all together. It's was waaaay to loud but holy smokes it's was like ww3.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by Boza

is it me or does the front bar look almost the same as the new m3 dunno I like the previous amg's looks more menacing

Probably a bit more reminiscent of the X3:

http://www.bmw.com/_common/shared/ne...background.jpg

or M4:

http://www.bmw.com/_common/shared/ne...background.jpg

Everything looks great except for the price!

[asagaai]

The sound of this engine is not a patch on the feral naturally aspirated 6.2 litre.

Will be interesting when real reviewers really dig into the performance of this 4 litre turbo in the real world, and make objective comparisons with the 6.2 lire atmo.

In terms of handling- there is a clue given away. Some reviewers talk about it being softer than the flat even but back breaking 6.2 atmo.

In clips of the new C63 going around the ring- it was all over the place- and mid corner bumps combined with the turbo torque hit kicked the rear out all over the place. In actual fact all clips of the new C63 going around the ring is unimpressive. What are the times for the ring compared to the old C63? ????

Quite telling is that the journos have been given the new C63 to run on a circuit in Portugal that is smooth as a baby's bottom- no mid bumps and ripples mid corner like on the ring, and in real life.

Time will reveal all......

[Boza]

Originally Posted by asagaai

The sound of this engine is not a patch on the feral naturally aspirated 6.2 litre.

Will be interesting when real reviewers really dig into the performance of this 4 litre turbo in the real world, and make objective comparisons with the 6.2 lire atmo.

In terms of handling- there is a clue given away. Some reviewers talk about it being softer than the flat even but back breaking 6.2 atmo.

In clips of the new C63 going around the ring- it was all over the place- and mid corner bumps combined with the turbo torque hit kicked the rear out all over the place. In actual fact all clips of the new C63 going around the ring is unimpressive. What are the times for the ring compared to the old C63? ????

Quite telling is that the journos have been given the new C63 to run on a circuit in Portugal that is smooth as a baby's bottom- no mid bumps and ripples mid corner like on the ring, and in real life.

Time will reveal all......

Yeah but how many of these that are bought in the real world going to end up on a race track most of the current amg's I've seen are driven by doctors to the office and back or do the daily runaround. or even the gangster wannabee rappers that buy these cars.

I'm so sick of all these "ring" reviews and times as they will not apply to 99.9% of the cars bought I just want an honest review of the car being driven in a urban environment with a weekend blast through the hills.

I'm a massive fan of amg's or any performance car for that matter but let's get real even if you do 2-3 track days a year will it matter what the car did at the "ring" I like driving hard and fast but am no racer.

I guess all I'm trying to say is are all these people and journo's that are obsessed with the ring really going to use they're cars there all the time I think not let's see some 1/4 mile times as that's what most traffic light warriors will ever use they're car for.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by Boza

I'm so sick of all these "ring" reviews and times as they will not apply to 99.9% of the cars bought I just want an honest review of the car being driven in a urban environment with a weekend blast through the hills.

Plenty of reviewers look at this and the theme running through all reviews I've read is that BMW does the best "driver's cars". Taking off like a rocket and going in a straight line is one thing. Driving fast along a twisting road is another!

This is in relative terms when comparing BMW, Merc, Audi etc, they're all very good handlers. It's nothing like the difference between a BMW and a Camry obviously. As for urban running it's hard to go past the ZF transmissions - which BMW uses.

[Uwish]

To me it looks to sedated. If you put a C250 next to it with an AMG pack you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.
The new M3 is where its at... Pumped guards and an understated power figure.

Hopefully though the update W204 C63 will drop under 90k real soon

[mcnews]

Originally Posted by asagaai

The sound of this engine is not a patch on the feral naturally aspirated 6.2 litre.

Will be interesting when real reviewers really dig into the performance of this 4 litre turbo in the real world, and make objective comparisons with the 6.2 lire atmo.

In terms of handling- there is a clue given away. Some reviewers talk about it being softer than the flat even but back breaking 6.2 atmo.

In clips of the new C63 going around the ring- it was all over the place- and mid corner bumps combined with the turbo torque hit kicked the rear out all over the place. In actual fact all clips of the new C63 going around the ring is unimpressive. What are the times for the ring compared to the old C63? ????

Quite telling is that the journos have been given the new C63 to run on a circuit in Portugal that is smooth as a baby's bottom- no mid bumps and ripples mid corner like on the ring, and in real life.

Time will reveal all......

Mate that circuit is very, very challenging, lots of blind corners, and at speed is not billiard board smooth at all. Portimao is one of the world's best circuits, I have ridden it a few times and it is awesome, only thing here holding a candle to it is Phillip Island. Portimao has lots of camber, lots of changes of direction that are quite tight with big loads etc, the camera doesn't tell the story of how much camber etc. there is. Same as Wanneroo looks flat on TV when corners like the basin/bowl have ridiculous amount of elevation change and camber/load. I actually have a little bit of wee leaking remembering doing Portimao at speed :-)

[Bent8]

Originally Posted by asagaai

The sound of this engine is not a patch on the feral naturally aspirated 6.2 litre.

Will be interesting when real reviewers really dig into the performance of this 4 litre turbo in the real world, and make objective comparisons with the 6.2 lire atmo.

In terms of handling- there is a clue given away. Some reviewers talk about it being softer than the flat even but back breaking 6.2 atmo.

In clips of the new C63 going around the ring- it was all over the place- and mid corner bumps combined with the turbo torque hit kicked the rear out all over the place. In actual fact all clips of the new C63 going around the ring is unimpressive. What are the times for the ring compared to the old C63? ????

Quite telling is that the journos have been given the new C63 to run on a circuit in Portugal that is smooth as a baby's bottom- no mid bumps and ripples mid corner like on the ring, and in real life.

Time will reveal all......

Agreed, the M156 is a masterpiece and while this new 4L TT can easily make more power/torque, it will never sound as good as the 6.2

The M156 has 500Nm on tap from 2000rpm, peaking at 600Nm by 5000rpm... a lot more usable than the 700Nm arriving at 1750rpm in the new model.

Now I know why AMG used wider Michelin rubber on the rears but it may not be enough... the new BMW M3/M4's also have a twin-turbo setup with 550Nm available from just 1850rpm and owners are already spinning out in them..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miA5qj5ergM

I still prefer the original (pre-face lift) W204 design over the W205's softer shape and it's nice to see them coming down in price to levels where I will be able to afford one very soon.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by Bent8

Agreed, the M156 is a masterpiece and while this new 4L TT can easily make more power/torque, it will never sound as good as the 6.2

The M156 has 500Nm on tap from 2000rpm, peaking at 600Nm by 5000rpm... a lot more usable than the 700Nm arriving at 1750rpm in the new model.

Now I know why AMG used wider Michelin rubber on the rears but it may not be enough... the new BMW M3/M4's also have a twin-turbo setup with 550Nm available from just 1850rpm and owners are already spinning out in them..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miA5qj5ergM

I still prefer the original (pre-face lift) W204 design over the W205's softer shape and it's nice to see them coming down in price to levels where I will be able to afford one very soon.

Yes- I totally am on the same page- had the AMG C63 with the 507 come with a manual- I would have waited another year and rolled for one second hand.

So- it is the XR8 with manual for me- but I have an intercooler/pulley/bosch jets with suspension mods in the pipeline....

[NX74205]

Originally Posted by Uwish

To me it looks to sedated. If you put a C250 next to it with an AMG pack you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference.

That's what I like about it. I don't like cars that shout, 'look at me'. I like a subtle, sedated look, but one that has enough power to embarrass many 'look at me' cars at the lights, and elsewhere. If I were to get one, I'd get one in that blue or in silver, so it doesn't stand out.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by NX74205

That's what I like about it. I don't like cars that shout, 'look at me'. I like a subtle, sedated look, but one that has enough power to embarrass many 'look at me' cars at the lights, and elsewhere

Subtle ?...Ahh, you mean like this?.

(Don't watch the Vid if you're a fan of Nissan 350Z's )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYxwgmACJMY

[new2ford]

^^
Love the John Deere emergency recovery vehicle

[Chopped]

I wonder if there as a bet that he could beat that z whilst towing a tractor

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Chopped

I wonder if there as a bet that he could beat that z whilst towing a tractor

Almost, but not quite.

Here's the background....http://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/5...king-350z.html

I don't think it's a members only page. Post 11 gives the details.