FirstDrive: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Mercedes-Benz's latest offering blows the competition out of the water, writes Kyle Fortune
When introducing its new C63 AMG, Mercedes-Benz almost apologetically suggested that it learned lessons to improve the environmental credentials of lesser models with its tyre-melting flagships.
If producing a 451bhp V8 engine saloon is Mercedes-Benz and AMG's answer to global warming, then I'm all for it, but in reality, the C63 AMG exists to take on and beat BMW's M3 and Audi's RS4.
This three-way, all-German title fight is not just for honours in the junior sports saloon class, but for the greater prize of brand credibility among driving enthusiasts. In truth, it's effectively a two-way fight now, as the RS4 bows out while Audi concentrates on its M5 and E63-rivalling RS6. That, too, should be an interesting battle, but it's for another day.
So Audi is out of the running for now, and oh, how they must have been laughing in AMG's Affalterbach home when they heard about the M3's puny 4-litre V8 with just 414bhp, knowing that their contender would offer 451bhp from 6.2-litres - the 63 badging a quirk rather than a representation of the engine's capacity.
AMGs have always been powerhouses, but the haymaker punch they traditionally offer has usually been deftly dealt with by their rivals' greater agility and poise.
However, things are a bit different with the C63 AMG. This time, AMG is really spoiling for a fight. So the C63's big power number is backed with the promise of more agility.
Those blistered wheel arches cover a wider track - 35mm at the front and 12mm at the rear. Significant as the track changes are, it is what AMG has done to the front suspension that suggests BMW's M3 might be in trouble.
AMG has redesigned the three-link suspension, moving the axle forward and stiffening up the front of the C63 by 100 per cent. The promise of all those changes is quicker, more accurate steering. And the AMG delivers.
Turn the steering wheel and the C63's front wheels react immediately, the system judged nicely for weight and delivering real precision.
But it's the clarity of the information available through the steering wheel's chunky rim that impresses most: AMG is giving the C63 a real advantage against its rivals with its communicative helm. The rear feels more planted than ever, too. There's mild to wild throttle adjustability, depending on which of the three ESP settings you opt for. The fully-off setting for the brave, talented or just stupid, or even a combination of all three.
And the ride on the 18-inch standard wheels is very firm, compromising its long-distance comfort. And the brakes? If you run out of retardation on the road you should be locked up.
It looks and sounds fast too - gloriously so. The quad tailpipes slung low under the rear bumper are not just great looking, but sound even better with a tearing rasping sound at speed and deep menacing muscular rumble at lower revs. Inside is the usual addition of leather sports seats, aluminium trim, hard-to-read AMG instruments in the spacious C-Class cabin. In there, you'll find an automatic shifter, just like all of AMG's products.
It's a seven-speed unit, which allows manual control via wheel-mounted paddles. Wolf Zimmerman, managing director of development and production at AMG, suggests using the paddles to get the best from the car. And he's right, the shift is quick and smooth whether dealing with committed foot-pinned-to-the-floor autobahn runs, or just ambling through traffic.
The 6.2-litre's huge 600Nm peak torque, some 500Nm of which is available from 2,000rpm to 6,250rpm, means chasing ratios in pursuit of pace isn't necessary.
There is startling, brutal pace possible; 100km/h arriving in just 4.5 seconds, quicker than either the M3 or RS4. And if the upper limit of 250km/h is not fast enough, AMG will fit a performance pack which raises the bar to 280km/h.
Plenty to see off its rivals then? Absolutely, but this time AMG has added a lot more than just raw speed.
Factfile
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
Engine:6,208cc naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine, putting out 451bhp @ 6,800rpm and 600Nm of torque @ 5,000rpm
Performance:0-100km/h in 4.5 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 250km/h
Price:Estimated at around €120,000