Merc reveals 358kW two-door M3 basher
Aiming to crush the status quo in its class, the C 63 AMG coupé thrusts the power war ahead with the thunder of 358kW, surely enough to make mince meat of the 309kW BMW M3 and 331kW Audi RS 5.
Barely a month after Mercedes-Benz pulled the covers off the coupé version of the C-Class, the AMG division has unleashed the one we’ve really been waiting for.
Granted, the C 63 AMG coupé is still available in ‘standard form’ in which it shares its sedan sibling’s 6.3-litre V8 engine that’s good for 336kW at 6800rpm and 600Nm at 5000rpm and a claimed 4.5-second 0-100km/h run.
Yet, as has become the norm with AMG’s latest offerings and as with the latest facelifted sedan, this coupé is available with a performance package. In this case it increases the power output to 358kW, while the 0-100km/h sprint is reduced to 4.4 seconds and claimed combined fuel consumption remains at 12.0 l/100km.
The package bequeaths the engine with technology from the SLS, including forged pistons, con rods and a lightweight crankshaft. Both versions are mated to the very latest seven-speed AMG Speedshift MCT sports transmission that uses a wet start-off clutch instead of a torque converter.
In line with its mammoth performance potential, the C 63 AMG also has a bespoke AMG sports suspension system, with a three-link set-up at the front, reinforced multi-link independent rear, a wider track at both ends and, of course, firmer springs and shocks.
Allowing a margin of safety, the ESP stability system has ‘on’, ‘sport’ and ‘off’ modes and anchorage is sorted by internally ventilated and perforated discs at both ends.
Aesthetically, the coupé shows off a typical AMG body kit, including a ‘powerdome’ bonnet, AMG-specific daytime running lights and 18-inch five-twin-spoke titanium grey alloys with a high gloss finish. The car in the pictures is an ‘Edition1′ package, which adds numerous aesthetic touches to the body and cabin, including matt-black 19-inch alloys. There’s also a long options list that also offers a carbon-fibre exterior package, rear axle diff lock and various interior trimmings and gadgets.
Expect the C 63 coupé to reach South African shores before the year is out. But long before then, tomorrow to be precise, we’ll treat you to some nice photography in a huge picture gallery.
