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First drive: Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupé. Image by Mercedes-AMG.

First drive: Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupé
The range-topping C-Class Coupé has the BMW M4 in its sights, and some.

   



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Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupé

5 5 5 5 5

Topping the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé range is the rather more macho C 63 version, available in either 'seriously fast' standard form or 'simply bonkers' S guise as tested here. Either model promises to give the BMW M4 Coupé a bloody nose in a direct comparison, even if the Merc does require some attentiveness in less than clement conditions.

Test Car Specifications

Model tested: Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupé
Pricing: standard C 63: £61,160; C 63 S: £68,070 on-the-road
Engine: 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol
Transmission: seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, rear-wheel drive
Body style: two-door, 2+2 coupé
CO2 emissions: 200g/km (VED Band J, £225)
Combined economy: 32.8mpg
Top speed: 155mph (electronically limited - may be increased to 180mph with AMG Driver's Package)
0-62mph: 3.9 seconds
Power: 510hp at 5,500- to 6,250rpm
Torque: 700Nm at 1,750- to 4,500rpm
Kerb weight: 1,785kg
Boot space: 355 litres

What's this?

You're looking at the fastest C-Class Coupé yet, the new Mercedes-AMG C 63 S. It tops the newly launched C-Class Coupé range and is one of two C 63 variants on offer. They're both powered by a development of the twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine found in the Mercedes-AMG GT sports car, producing either 476hp and 650Nm or 510hp and 700Nm in S guise tested here. Drive from that mighty engine goes to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch AMG Speedshift automatic gearbox and either a mechanical limited slip differential in the normal car or a more sophisticated electronically controlled item in the C 63 S. The S also benefits from dynamic engine mounts that 'stiffen up' under load and 'soften out' at other times, to give the best balance of control, feedback and comfort.

The C 63 shares only its doors, roof and boot lid with the rest of the C-Class Coupé line-up, mostly to accommodate the wider tracks front and rear of its unique suspension. It also comes with three-stage adaptive damping as standard, as well as a map-controlled exhaust system. An even sportier 'Performance' exhaust is optional (and recommended), as are ceramic brake discs.

Pricing for the C 63 Coupé start at £61,160, while the C 63 S Coupé is £68,070. For those that want the ultimate there's the C 63 S Editon 1, costing £76,900. It adds yellow AMG decals, a special 'designo selenite grey magno paint', ceramic brakes and, for another £3,000 (!) stunning bespoke 19-inch front and 20-inch rear alloy wheels with bright yellow detailing.

How does it drive?

Awful weather conditions at the launch of the C 63 Coupé perversely allowed us to explore the responses of the new car at the limits of its ability at relatively low speeds, though it meant that we've not got a handle on the full dynamic picture as yet. Nonetheless, it was a promising introduction. Needless to say, the V8 engine stands out as something special. It makes all the right noises (especially in the sportier driving modes) and delivers its performance with real conviction. It never feels flat-footed, regardless of speed or gear. The seven-speed transmission is good too, very good, with plenty of modes of operation depending on conditions and your mood. Indeed, the AMG Dynamic Select roller switch allows the driver to quickly alter the car's personality between Eco and Comfort at one end of the spectrum and Sport, Sport+ and Race (the latter on the S model only) on the other. Even in Comfort mode, we found the C 63 S's damping to be 'focused', but that's to be expected really.

The upshot is iron-fisted body control. The whole structure feels super-stiff. Indeed, in wet and slippery conditions it's almost too stiff, as it's very easy to overpower the rear tyres with so little movement in the chassis.. This could be a little unnerving in a car with 510hp, but the electronics are suitably quick-witted. Choose Comfort or Eco and you'll never feel a twitch as the tyres find their limits, but switch into Sport+ or Race and it gets a bit more serious, demanding more from the driver. That's when the C 63 really comes alive. The front end darts into the apex with commendable alacrity, while the rear does its best to keep up. It really doesn't take much effort to bring the back axle into play, but beyond a few satisfying degrees of oversteer on exit of a corner it takes real commitment to hold a drift, as the differential does its best to straighten things back up. Essentially, if you want to set good lap times, you drive within the grip limits and work with the differential, perhaps sticking to the ESP Sport Handling setting, but those that want to play can turn off traction control completely and deploy all that power for themselves. Either way, the C 63 is huge fun to drive, if just a little bit 'senior'.

Verdict

Cars like the Mercedes-AMG C 63 are not for everyone; that's even more true for cars like the hardcore S model. But for the lucky few that can both afford such luxuries and have the talent to exploit them to the full, we're very glad they exist. The C 63 S is a visceral, exciting addition to the coupé landscape and a suitable range-topper for the desirable C-Class Coupé line-up. Still want that BMW M4? We're not sure we do...

5 5 5 5 5 Exterior Design

4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 Interior Ambience

4 4 4 4 4 Passenger Space

4 4 4 4 4 Luggage Space

4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 Safety

3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 Comfort

4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 Driving Dynamics

5 5 5 5 5 Powertrain


Shane O' Donoghue - 10 Nov 2015



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2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.

2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.



2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.
 

2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.
 

2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.
 

2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.
 

2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.
 

2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.
 

2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.
 

2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.
 

2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe. Image by Mercedes-AMG.
 






 

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