Style and substance in one package
by ANDREW KOCH
The C63 Saloon was launched in spectacular style at Mount Panorama, Bathurst, earlier this year -” giving both current customers of the Mercedes-AMG product and media a great taste of what this fantastic piece of German machinery is capable of.
Available in both saloon and estate models, they share the same power train, steering, brakes and suspension and are pitched against the BMW M3 and Audi RS4. Currently, because the Mercedes C63 is available with two body styles, it has the opposition beaten from day one apart from the fact that both are at least $20,000 more than this fast and agile German.
In the past the M3 and the RS4 probably had the Mercedes-AMG models beaten for agility and outright performance. Not any more. The C63 is pure race car optimised for real-life road conditions -” though finding an Australian road which is smooth is a difficult task, so be prepared to feel every bump in the road as the suspension is very firm, even on comfort mode.
The new models are products from Mercedes-AMG, a high performance brand within Mercedes Car Group -” a workforce of around 700 people developing and producing high-performance engines and complete vehicles, including their racing touring cars.
The 6.2-litre, V8 petrol engine is no tuned version of a standard production unit. It is designed and built specifically by AMG for several models in the Mercedes range. Their technical boffins claim that the engine will have the same long life, durability and reliability of standard production units, and why shouldn’t it? It is a Mercedes.
The 336kW power output from the engine is impressive enough but the large amount of torque, 600Nm from 2,000 to 6,250rpm, gives it a huge range of maximum power. This of course is ideal for safely overtaking slower traffic in the minimum amount of time and distance. Something worth noting is that when you drive a C63, the amount of slow traffic is emphasised as is the G-force experienced, as you are forced back into your seat when accelerating. It has a fantastic exhaust note as well.
Top speed is limited to 250km and 0 to 100km is covered in just 4.5 seconds. For the record the official combined fuel consumption is 13.5L/100km and as the fuel tank has remained the same size as the standard C-Class, unfortunately you will have to pop into the servo a little more regularly than normal.
Power to the rear wheels is via the Mercedes 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission, which has three settings, Comfort, Manual and Sport, and can be operated by the gearstick or paddle shift levers behind the steering wheel.
With the standard 18-inch wheels and tyres the C63 offers huge amounts of grip -” they need to and the stopping power of the brakes is just as impressive as the performance of the engine.
Both the C63 AMG saloon and estate models are visually stunning and instantly distinguishable from the standard C-Class models. The AMG treatment includes a twin-domed bonnet, unique grille with wide spread foglights, front, side and rear body kit and dual twin exhaust tailpipes.
Inside the AMG treatment continues with sports seats with built-in head restraints, a flat-bottomed steering wheel, aluminium pedals and AMG sill guards.
The new models cannot fail to be a huge sales success and it will give BMW and Audi something to think about.
AUTO FACTS
Price: $144,365-$146,271
Engine: 6.2-litre V8 petrol
Power: 336kW, 600Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Fuel: 13.5L/100km
