C63 undercuts BMW and Lexus

When does $140,000 seem like a bargain? When it's on the windscreen of a genuine four-door supercar... And that's exactly what Mercedes-Benz's new 6.2-litre V8-powered C 63 AMG looks set to be.

Pricing for the C63, due to be launched locally in March, was officially announced today. And as you read here first, the car hits the market at a stonkingly competitive price --$139,500 to be exact.

That's around $17,000 under BMW's M3 coupe and also well under the projected pricing of Lexus' upcoming V8-powered IS-F. It is also a massive $21,000 saving over the last generation C-Class range-topper, the 270kW C55 AMG

And the C63's no stripper. Unlike some European markets, the four-door will arrive Down Under fully specified. In fact, Benz insiders say there will be just four factory options: a carbon-fibre trim package, keyless entry and go, rear-window blind and an underbody protection pack.

The C63 (more here) is powered by a version of AMG's own 6.2-litre V8 developing 336kW of power and 600Nm of torque. AMG claims a 0-100km/h time of 4.5sec for the sedan which features a fettled version of Benz's 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission.

Much ado has been made of AMG's fettling of the C63. Compared to the standard C-Class models, the car features different front suspension geometry and a revised steering rack as well as changes to track dimensions. It rolls on 18-inch alloys, though 19-inch will be an accessory option eventually.

It's expected a wagon version of the C63 will join the Aussie range later this year. It will be via order only, however.

Mercedes-Benz contacts say orders for the sedan are already "very strong." They will need to be -- Carsales Network believes that the Australian operation has agreed to a significant increase in AMG volume as part of the equation to achieve the hot sub-$140K pricing.

The one casualty of the pricing seems to be the C350. At this stage it now seems unlikely the top of the range V6 petrol model of the new Wheel Car of The Year will come Down Under. As noted at its release, the turbodiesel C320 CDI will continue to fulfill the role as the C-Class' non-AMG flagship.

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