C TO THE POWER OF 63 (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_mercedesamgc63_2016

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 86

If you thought Mercedes-AMG models were all power and no precision, you need to drive a second generation C 63 AMG, offered primarily in saloon and estate (S205) forms but also available in Coupe (C205) and Cabriolet (A205) guises. A potent burbling V8 that plays an exhilarating soundtrack is the kind of thing you'd expect, but it was very different engine in this MK2 form. And the class-leading handling prowess may come as even more of a shock. With this car, AMG finally came of age.

Modelsword count: 8

4dr Saloon, estate, coupe & cabriolet (4.0 petrol]

Historyword count: 380

So - what have we here? A fourth generation 'W205'-series Mercedes C-Class? To some extent, yes. But a very angry one. We're talking twin-turbo V8, tyre-smoking excess and a top speed of potentially up to 180mph. This, in its production lifetime, was the car that sat at the heart of the Mercedes-AMG tuning division's model line-up, the fearsomely fast second generation version of its most successful contender ever - the C 63. For driving enthusiasts, a car like this often lies at the end of a long progression of power. Perhaps for you, it started with something like a fast Fiesta. Then, as times got better, you graduated into something a bit nicer - say a Golf GTI - and from there, onwards to even greater hot hatch sophistication - maybe an Audi RS 3. Whatever the cars in question, all may have bought you to this point, near to the pinnacle of the practical performance car tree. A time in your life when somehow, it all seems quite sensible to be driving something not much larger than a Focus that has a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 with up to and over 500bhp shoe-horned in up-front. Something like this C 63. This MK2 model, launched in 2015, still bore the same 'C 63' badge as its W204-series predecessor, a car originally launched back in 2008. But instead of that old model's normally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 (lifted from the exotic SLS supercar), the MK2 C 63 got a 4.0-litre V8 (also with exotic parentage - from the AMG GT sportscar). This aura of engineering exclusivity remained a key advantage for this Mercedes to enjoy over its arch-rival, BMW's M3, another practical performance model re-developed in this period with one eye on efficiency. In that case though, BMW had to fundamentally change the character of its car to achieve the desired result, switching to a six cylinder format that left it lacking both the power and the aural fireworks of this C 63. Mercedes, in contrast, retained the V8 format and boosted power, yet still kept the unit as green and frugal as BMW's 'six'. It was quite an achievement. Coupe and cabriolet C 63 models arrived in 2016 and the C 63 range sold in this form until the end of 2021.

What You Getword count: 249

There isn't much subtlety about AMG's sledgehammer V8 powerplants, but you do at least get that when it comes to exterior aesthetics of this MK2 C 63 - at least in the saloon guise anyway. The Coupe and Cabriolet versions of this car feature more bespoke body panels and there's something about the Estate variant that just looks menacing. What about behind the wheel? Well those who might have wanted Mercedes-AMG to make more of an effort to set this performance model apart will retain the same opinion once they get comfortably positioned in the nappa leather-trimmed AMG sports seats. These chairs are grippy and bespoke, plus you get an AMG-style instrument cluster and a thick-rimmed flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel complete with gearshift paddles - but that's about it. Does that matter? Normally it would, but fortunately for Mercedes, the standard 'W205'-series C-Class cabin is of such high quality that it still leaves this C 63 feeling a cut above rivals in this era like BMW's 'F80'-series M3. And out back? Well, it's only fair to point out that you get slightly less space than you would in an ordinary 'W205'-series C-Class model. Raise the boot lid in the saloon version and you'll find a trunk reduced in capacity from the usual 480-litre total to 435-litres. On the plus side, there are the usual bag hooks and tie-down points (though no 12v socket) and you get useful side storage nets on the left and right of the cargo bay.

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