What's all this about?
Lovers of fast saloons who have £59,795 to spare can now order the new Mercedes-AMG C 63. Estate and more powerful 'S' versions are also available at extra cost and an 'Edition 1' model tops the range at £74,700 in estate guise. Deliveries are due to commence in spring 2015.
What do I get for the money?
There are the usual AMG features, which we covered recently, including a beefed-up body shell (both visually and structurally) and a 476hp V8 engine. Standard equipment includes AMG sports seats, upholstered in Nappa leather, a quad-tailpipe exhaust system, AMG braking system and 18-inch, multi-spoke alloy wheels.
Choosing the C 63 S adds £6,750 to the price and buys more than just a 34hp upgrade to the 4.0-litre, turbocharged motor's power output. The brakes are also bigger and can be identified by the red callipers visible behind the 19-inch, five-spoke alloys. Further mechanical changes include an electronically controlled differential, in place of the mechanical limited-slip item, and a 'Race' function in the Comand system to alter engine, gearbox and damping behaviour. Inside there are AMG Performance Seats, twinned with Crystal Grey seat belts.
How about the Edition 1?
Based on the C 63 S the Edition 1 features a variety of exterior and interior upgrades. Look out for forged alloy wheels with a red band around the circumference, an 'AMG' graphic along each side of the car and the 'brightwork' is finished in black. Inside you get quilted Nappa leather with red stitching that is carried through the rest of the cabin and red carbon fibre trim on the centre console. Equipment includes a 590 W Burmester sound system, LED Intelligent Light System plus keyless start and keyless entry.
Any options?
The Burmester in-car entertainment and Intelligent Light System can be specified on the rest of the C 63 range. There are also AMG variable exhaust and ceramic composite braking systems; both are available to special order only and prices have not been released, but if you have to ask you probably can't afford them...
John Lambert - 15 Oct 2014
