Motorsport Homologation vehicles can be considered a feat of engineering that complies with a strict ruleset to keep the playing field level. In this interpretation, many halo vehicles have come about that have been revered in motorsport history. The review vehicle here, however, isn't precisely a motorsport homologation but rather the testbed results from Formula 1 filtering into a road car. The ruleset here, however, is different in that it has to comply with tightening EU regulations. However, where there are limitations, creativity is bred.
Related: Mercedes-AMG C63 S E-Performance First Drive Review
One vehicle we'd liken the C63S we drove to is the classic 190E in 2.3-16 and 2.5-16, which competed in DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterchaft) in 1980s Germany. A production car racing series met with massive popularity. To many, this was a Golden Era of motorsport in Europe. The 190E then used a Cosworth-tuned 4-cylinder non-turbo engine that was highly strung. The motorsport and road variants of this vehicle competed with BMW's M3. The Merc competed at an astounding pace and even won several DTM races. The vehicle at that time was a precision tool that was sharpened constantly until we landed up with the 190E's final form being the Evo ll. At the time, we had the likes of 'The Hammer' with a tuned Mercedes-Benz V8, which also had its place alongside the Cosworth 190E. You can draw many comparisons all day between the 190E and this vehicle with its juxtaposition between the GT63, for example. Still, in this timeline, the C63 finds itself in a strange spot.
Pros
- Mind-bending performance
- Well-considered effort from AMG
- Technical anoraks will lap up the engineering efforts
Cons
- Far too ahead of its time
- More supportive front seating is desired
- Quite a small boot area
Styling
The current generation C-Class embodies the quintessential Mercedes-Benz design language where elegance is at the forefront. The C-Class flows through the air rather than cut it. Now in its C63S form, the C-Class shell has been sculpted with the muscular look associated with AMG vehicles. Our test unit, finished in MANUFAKTUR Opalite White Bright and gloss black trim pieces, strikes a nice balance of contrast between the black and white colours. We had the optional AMG 10 twin alloys to fill the arches with turbine effect inserts between the spokes. Functional slats and vents adorn this vehicle to differentiate it from your average C-Class. The front bumper vents channelling air into the various coolers. The power bulge is complete with a vent on the bonnet and slats on the rear bumper, with the valance housing the diffuser and square AMG tailpipes. The side profile is attractive, with sleek body lines, a long bonnet, a short rear, and a cheeky ducktail spoiler finished in gloss black. It's also worth mentioning that the AMG Aero package is fitted to this vehicle. This vehicle is pretty, not shouty, but has an ominous aura.
Space and Comfort
Inside, the C63S is a cutting-edge tech-focused cabin, but the sports treatment doesn't skimp on the luxury aspect. Greeting you is the gigantic infotainment screen at 11.9 inches, red seatbelts and uses of ARTICO man-made leather upholstery and MICROCUT microfibre in AMG Black across the cabin. The infotainment handles your music and ambient lighting selection in this application and functions as a telemetry display (AMG Track Pace), giving you various measurements, data, and the like for track and drag race activities. The AMG steering wheel is not only finished with the same ARTICO and MICROCUT finishes but, much like a racing simulator controller, has digital dials to adjust driving modes and drive settings, which is quite marvellous. Despite the sporty interior, the cabin is roomy, and the rear occupants wouldn't complain about having more space. Where the C63S does falter, though, is the front seating, which could do some extra side and shoulder bolstering for when you're driving the vehicle at pace. The boot area has been reduced to 280 litres from the normal C-Class's 455 litres. This is due to the hybrid technology on the rear axle that eats up into the boot area.
The MBUX Multimedia system is slick, and connectivity for Apple and Android devices is good. Still, this vehicle could use physical controls in favour of touch to make some operations slightly easier to avoid distracting you from the driving experience, such as the audio controls. Comfort in this vehicle is well adjusted with the AMG Ride Control Suspension and very discernable drive modes. Comfort mode, as its name states, dampens everything down, making the car quiet and gently behaved for a quick drive to the shops or even a highway cruise. Track mode is the complete opposite of that, but even in the Track mode, the C63S isn't as harsh as some people would expect, but it makes your senses well aware of the changes to the vehicle. The exhaust can go from Dr Jerkyl to Mr Hyde with the twist of a dial, and the exhaust note and theatrics are sure to turn heads.
Performance
Now, we get to the juicy part. The C63S's hybrid performance drivetrain consists of the M139l four-cylinder turbocharged 2.0-litre engine making 350kW and 545Nm and with what AMG describes as a 'permanently excited' electric motor on the rear axle making 150kW and 440Nm. It's worth mentioning that the hybrid system is a 400-volt high-voltage system. Total power output is rated at 500kW and 1 020Nm. The AMG Speedshift 9-Speed Multi Clutch Transmission is sending power to all four wheels. Other developments include rear-wheel steering, an electronic limited-slip differential in the rear, and even electronic assistance for the turbocharger. Much of this tech has been lifted from the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team's efforts and has been well-considered for this vehicle.
The result is a vicious performance with no lag or dead spots within the powertrain's power delivery. It's all action here, as the C63S doesn't run out of puff. Even on its own, the M139l engine produces an insane amount of power from a small-capacity engine. The AMG Speedshift, when set to Track Mode, grabs gears with a wrestler's grip, resulting in satisfying shifts, and the box programming is agreeable. Doing a launch control in this vehicle highlighted how potent the powertrain is. Even on some wet roads after a fresh summer rain, the Merc wasn't bothered and gripped on. The AMG Performance Sound is lovely to the ears as it sounds rally car-like. Another thing that surprised this writer was the cooling efficiency of the various drivetrain components. Even when we whaled on this vehicle and drove up the temperatures, there were no complaints, and the Benz could keep going.
The Drive
The duality of this vehicle is rather interesting. It can be composed, comfortable, but also precise, sharp, and incredibly fast. The C63S is best utilised on larger racetracks where you can stretch its legs comfortably. Compared to its predecessor, this vehicle is less of a sledgehammer and more of a scalpel in that it's easy to control, can still be very effective and cut deep, most importantly. An emphasis on balance in how this vehicle handles makes it confidence-inspiring inspiring, and in the right hands, it can pull some serious times on a racetrack. The Limited Slip Differential works flawlessly; power gets put down to the ground instead of being needlessly wasted.
The AMG Ride Control Suspension is well tuned for this vehicle with excellent primary and secondary rides even in the sportier modes. Even on rougher roads, the C63S provides feedback to tell you what the car is doing, but not harshly that it's a rude awakening. The AMG Performance brakes are apt for this level of performance, with a progressive bite but hard stopping power that doesn't seem to fade easily. It can understeer as you push it further, but that's edging further to the limit. The choice of Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres suits this vehicle well, but I wonder how it would perform on, let's say, Cup 2 semi-slicks. If anything, the performance may be a bit high for South African roads, but it is dubbed a super saloon, after all. There's so much going on with this vehicle at one given point that it can make your head hurt. The car handles much of it; you just need to focus on driving.
Safety
Notable safety features include:
- 6 airbags, optionally 8.
- PARKTRONIC
Our test unit came equipped with the optional Driver Assistance Package, which includes the following:
- Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC
- Active Steering Assist
- Active Brake Assist with Cross-Traffic Function
- Active Emergency Stop
- Active Speed Limit Assist
- Active Lane Keeping Assist
- Active Blind Spot Assist
- Active Lane Change Assist
- PRESAFE PLUS
- PRESAFE
Fuel Consumption
The claimed fuel consumption for this vehicle is 2.1 L /100km with a charged hybrid battery, 10.5 L/100km when discharged, and 7.3 L/100km combined. We managed around 18 L /100km when pushing this vehicle, though we believe you can get into the lower 10s with conservative driving.
Price
The purchase price for the C63S E Performance includes a 5-year/100,000 km maintenance plan and a 2-year/Unlimited km warranty.
| Model | Price |
| Mercedes-AMG C43 | from R1 726 423 |
| Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance | from R2 484 020 |
| Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance F1 Edition | from R2 796 389 |
*The pricing stated here was correct when published and is subject to change without further notice.
Rivals
- Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Super Sport
- BMW M3
- Audi RS4
The Verdict
We drew comparisons earlier in this article between the C63S and its great relative, the 190E DTM machines, and how the 190E existed alongside the bigger AMG-tuned siblings at the time. The C63S E Performance is a marvel of engineering. What happens when you take what is essentially a Motorsport Homologation-inspired vehicle and just let it completely loose? The amount of vitriol this vehicle has caught was a bit unfair in some instances due to dropping the predecessor cult classic V8 lumps despite the bigger siblings still consisting of V8 powerplants.
We can criticise Mercedes-AMG in that there should have been a gradual rather than abrupt transition to this powertrain. Then it would have been received better, but what can you do when considering the current automotive industry climate? Your hands are tied with looming imposed deadlines and drastic changes afoot. This vehicle is far ahead of its time and is worth a treat. Yes, a lot of the emotive nature is lost. Still, you can't ignore the engineering and technological lengths that Mercedes-AMG went through to deliver a vehicle like this—something about performance.
