Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Review

While BMW has M Division, Audi has quattro GmbH’s RS, Mercedes-Benz’s performance division is AMG. Based in Affalterbach near Stuttgart, AMG has been producing high performance Mercedes model variants for many years. It also runs the company’s motorsport activities, which include the German DTM touring car series and builds customer SLS GT3 race cars for private teams to compete in GT3 championships round the world.

Mercedes-Benz has a long tradition of fast, compact saloon models that include icons like the 190E 2.3-16, 190E 2.5-16 Evo II and more recent AMG badged models like the C36, C43, C32 and the C55.

First introduced in 2008, the C63 AMG is the latest in line. Based on the latest generation C-Class model, the C63 AMG gets one of AMG’s hand-built V8, substantial chassis tweaks as well as a pumped up look on the outside to give the BMW M3, the Lexus ISF and the n Audi RS 5 a run for their money.

More than three years on, Mercedes-Benz has updated the C63 to bring its looks more in line with the rest of the facelifted C-Cass range. The new C63 not only sports tweaked styling but also thorough improvements under the skin that includes a new gearbox.

One look and you can tell that this C-Class is a monstrous supercar slayer in a saloon body shell. Giveaways of the C63 include the gaping air intake and side outlets on the lower bumper, heavily flared wheel arches, the twin strakes on the bonnet (a feature that is found on classic sporty Merc models like the 300SL gullwing), the quad exhaust tail pipes lurking from the rear diffuser, tinted headlamps and the subtle boot lid spoiler. Cars fitted with the optional AMG Performance Package get red brake calipers and the boot lid spoiler made from carbon fibre. Obviously, there are the usual badgings as well – the ones on the flanks are especially misleading as they read ‘6.3 AMG’ with the engine actually displacing 6208cc.

The newer, updated C63 gets curvier headlamps, a new radiator grille, new front bumper, LED tail lamps as well as new five star-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels. With lowered suspension completing the transformation, the C63 is an aggressive and purposeful looking machine. Cars fitted with the optional multi-spoke 19-inch alloys finished in titanium grey though, have an even more garang stance.