Still recognizably brilliant, the new Mercedes-AMG C 63 S!

By Farzana Chaumoo

The best-selling Mercedes-AMG model, and one of a kind in its class, the C 63 S, gets sharper looks, a modernized interior, more advanced tech and gains even more agility.

 

What is new?

• A nine-speed automatic gearbox
• A new torque vectoring system called AMG Dynamics
• 9 settings traction control system
• Steering and suspension tweaks
• Various interior and exterior revisions

 

The AMG C 63 S is one of the automaker’s fastest cars and much like the recent updates on the C-Class range, it has also undergone a midlife facelift. At the launch, that took place at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, was also the new Mercedes-AMG 53 Series cars: the E 53 and the CLS 53.

The cosmetic differences in the facelift can be seen with a new front grille, new wheels, a new rear diffuser and some other little small touches. Under the bonnet is a new nine-speed automatic gearbox, that replaces the seven-speed gearbox, which besides getting more gears also allows for faster shifts.

The limited slip differential on the rear end is now electronically controlled for better traction management and is but one system on a list of other clever tech that makes the new C 63 S more of a dynamic weapon than it was before.

The new Mercedes-AMG C 63 S is available in all four body styles, of which only 3 will be available in South Africa. These are the Coupé, the Sedan and the Cabriolet. At the launch, we drove only the sedan and were told the coupé and cabriolet would be arriving soon. Sadly, we will not be receiving the wagon.

 

Inside the cabin

 You can’t expect to find anything other than high-quality materials, there’s space for four adults, it has a decent sized boot and an infotainment system that’s relatively easy to get used to.

The new C 63 S also boasts an optional fully digital cockpit and a new generation flat-bottomed AMG steering wheel with innovative additional elements that include paddle shifts to change gears, new Touch Control buttons, and you can even adjust the level of Traction Control through a dial beneath, but attached to, the steering wheel. These help the driver control tasks quickly and conveniently.

 

AMG Traction Control: Nine levels

The traction control system has nine levels. This allows varying degrees of slip on the back end. Furthermore, the torque vectoring system that distributes drive across the rear axle also has four modes. Although, and for C 63 novices, you can just use the 6 main modes/drive programs of the car as these bring to life the vital characteristics at any given time. The modes also make the necessary changes to the traction control and torque vectoring systems for you. However, you can also set it up your own way and the clever technology in this car will work together to still make you feel and look like a king, or queen, on the road.

 

Drive programs

The handling characteristics of the new C 63 S can be adjusted from the selection of 6 AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs. These are: Slippery, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Race and Individual. You would already know that each mode makes changes to the engine and transmission response, steering characteristics, suspension damping, and even the exhaust sound.

The addition of a new mode, ‘Slippery’, optimizes for slippery road conditions through reducing power and a flat engine curve.

 

What’s it like to drive?

It’s a very thrilling car to drive! On the track, the gearbox feels pretty good. But also on the track, all you do is retire the top half of the ratios and barely touch anything above the 5^th gear. The engine’s got great range and it pulls hard all the way from below 3 to about 7,000 rpm. However, on the road, it would definitely feel much different, and you would probably feel like you need a gearbox with fewer ratios because it always seems to be changing gears.

Nevertheless, you still get the feels of an old school AMG in the new C 63 S. You’re still getting the steel suspension and the rear wheel drive, whereas the bigger, new E-Class has moved away from those. There’s an honesty, effortlessness and tactility to the C 63 S which is still very much appealing. It’s a naughty car that despite its hard grip levels or how fast around the track it goes, you just want to throw it out and do skids with it.

Unlike the BMW M3 CS and the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, which are serious performance cars said to have better body control and higher grip levels, the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S wants to entertain you. It’s more polished and more rounded-off than its previous versions, its agile while still edgy, and it sounds amazing!

 

Quick Stats and Pricing

 

 

	Mercedes-AMG C 63 S  Cabriolet	Mercedes-AMG C 63 S  Sedan	Mercedes-AMG C 63 S  Coupé
Engine	4.0-litre V8 with two turbochargers	4.0-litre V8 with two turbochargers	4.0-litre V8 with two turbochargers
Displacement	3982 cc	3982 cc	3982 cc
Output	375 kW at 5500-6250 rpm	375 kW at 5500-6250 rpm	375 kW at 5500-6250 rpm
Peak torque	700 Nm at 2000-4500 rpm	700 Nm at 2000-4500 rpm	700 Nm at 2000-4500 rpm
Drive system	Rear-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive	Rear-wheel drive
Transmission	AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G	AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G	AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G
Combined fuel consumption	10.4 l/100 km	9.9 l/100 km	10.1 l/100 km
Combined CO2 emissions	236 g/km	227 g/km	230 g/km
Efficiency class	F	G	F
Acceleration  0-100 km/h	4.1 s	4.0 s	3.9 s
Top speed (Electronically limited)	280 km/h	290 km/h	290 km/h
Retail price (ZAR)	1 728 700	1 546 600	1 609 100