GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Benz C 63 AMG Edition 507 emerges

Mercedes-Benz has applied some Black Series magic to its fire-breathing C63 AMG coupe and, for the first time, sedan and wagon models in the form of the ‘Edition 507’.

The latest special-edition from Mercedes-AMG will make its world debut at the Geneva motor show on March 5, before arriving in Australia in limited numbers in the second half of this year, when pricing, specifications and availability will be announced. The C 63 AMG Edition 507 models go on sale in Europe on April 8, before delivery there in June.

An exclusive 37kW/10Nm peak performance increase from the C 63’s brawny 6.2-litre V8 lies at the heart of all three Edition 507 models, which produce 373kW at 6800rpm and 610Nm at 5200rpm and can hit 100km/h in a claimed 4.2 seconds (4.3 seconds for the Estate).

That makes them two-tenths quicker to 100km/h than the standard (336kW/600Nm) C 63s, one-tenth quicker than those fitted with the 358kW/600Nm AMG Performance Pack and just as quick as the limited-edition coupe-only C 63 Black Series (380kW/620Nm). Fuel consumption is unchanged at 12.0L/100km (12.2L/100km for the wagon).

Despite a $245,000 pricetag, well-heeled Australians snapped up 32 examples of the two-door C 63 Black – the third ‘Black’ Mercedes to arrive Down Under - within days of being announced in November 2011, before first deliveries last April, helping AMG to a new record of about 1200 sales in Australia last year.

As with the Black C 63 (but unlike the majority of AMG’s model range, which is now powered by a downsized twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8), Mercedes says the Edition 507 engine benefits from direct technology transfer from the naturally aspirated SLS AMG supercar, including forged pistons and connecting rods, a lightweight crankshaft, titanium-grey variable intake manifold and revised engine control system.

Because it’s fitted as standard with the AMG Driver’s Package, the 507 also offers a 280km/h top speed (still electronically limited), as opposed to the standard car’s 250km/h. In Europe, Edition 507 customers will receive a free driver training session at the AMG Driving Academy.

Standard C 63 Edition 507 features include an AMG high-performance composite braking system with larger yet lighter 360x36mm front discs, cross-drilled rotors all round and six-piston front callipers and four-piston rear callipers (all of them red), while a host of exterior cosmetic upgrades will ensure its exclusivity.

Chief among these is the same aluminium bonnet with twin air scoops as seen on the C 63 Black Series Coupe and two new 19-inch AMG light-alloy cross-spoke wheel choices with 235/35 front and 255/30 rear tyres - titanium grey with a high-sheen finish or matt black with high-sheen rim flanges.

Other specific Edition 507 features include AMG sports stripes in matt graphite grey above the side sill panels, a boot lip spoiler (sedan and coupe only), high-gloss black surrounds for the grille, daytime driving lights and wing mirrors, darkened headlights and the option of “designo magno platinum” exterior paint.

Three equipment packs will be available – ‘porcelain designo leather/DINAMICA’, ‘black designo leather/DINAMICA’ and ‘black designo leather’, while an Alcantara-trimmed AMG Performance steering wheel has a 12-o'clock marking and the AMG-badged SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed automatic transmission shifter is finished in DINAMICA.

Rounding out the standard additions are an AMG instrument cluster featuring red markings, high-gloss black piano lacquer cabin highlights and an ‘Edition 507’ badge.

In Europe, the C 63 Black Coupe’s locking rear differential remains an option for Edition 507 buyers, as do a range of extras from the AMG Performance Studio, including illuminated LED AMG door sill panels, AMG floor mats, 18-inch AMG alloys, AMG Performance suspension, AMG Performance Media, AMG carbon-fibre/high gloss black piano lacquer-look trim and extended designo black leather appointments.

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