Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG 2011 Review - International

What we liked
>> Jaw-dropping performance
>> Awesome touring ability at higher speeds
>> Flexible seat adjustment

Not so much
>> Firm seat cushioning on longer journeys
>> No keyless start
>> Field of vision to the rear didn't suit reviewer

Mercedes-Benz has an upgraded C 63 AMG ready for launch in Australia next month. And motoring.com.au grabbed a sneak peek of the revised model via a drive through southern Germany in the days leading up to September's Frankfurt motor show.

The facelifted C 63 continues to be powered by the illustrious 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8, hand-built in the AMG factory at Affalterbach and there has been no change to the output from the lusty V8. On start-up the engine howls like a big cat and has a spellbinding note that was lacking in the forced-induction 5.5-litre engine of the CLS 63 AMG accompanying us on this drive.

We're told by Benz that the current generation of C-Class platform simply cannot cope with the prodigious torque of the new twin-turbo engine. Thus the 63 stays with the 'old banger'... Though this is hardly a sacrifice.

Thus the principal element of the latest upgrade a new transmission—now the same AMG Speedshift MCT automatic fitted in the 63-engined CLS, E and SL. The transmission is a seven-speed unit, but the torque converter of the previous C 63's box has been dropped in favour of a wet-plate clutch. It works very well, affording the easy driving of any other self-shifter, but with some additional efficiency. There's more a feeling of mechanical lock-up in any gear, especially if the driver selects the Sport, Sport+ or Manual modes.

The vehicle tested was fitted with the Performance Pack, which came with ridiculously low profile (235/35 front, 255/30 rear) liquorice straps on black, multi-spoke 19-inch alloys. It's a wheel and tyre combination that means business, yet the car rides really well at higher speeds -- on Germany's autobahns at least. At lower speeds and around town the car's ride seems a little compromised.

There was less opportunity to see what the C 63 was made of than we would like. Between the autobahns and the traffic jams on the way into Stuttgart, there just wasn't much to record concerning the car's cornering ability. Benz has tweaked the suspension for improved ride, but with the different wheel and tyre combination fitted that wasn't apparent in all circumstances, as mentioned above.

The company has also dialled in more negative camber all round, which should enhance roadholding, ideally. We can vouch the C 63 is very stable at higher speeds and we saw 230km/h on one autobahn.

Other journalists driving the car the day before succeeded in winding the car out to a speed well above the 'posted' 250km/h electronic limit. We're told by Benz that for cars equipped with the performance pack, the electronic speed limit doesn't apply. For extra cash you can ask Benz not to limit the car's speed, even without specifying the performance pack option.

Wind noise is more prevalent at the sort of high speeds attained on the autobahns, but below that it's the drivetrain that will be noticed most. It's full of character and you can't help but love the V8 sound.

Inside the C 63 is equipped with aggressively bolstered seats, but you can adjust them with a toggle switch at the side — for those of wider girth. There are also other toggle switches to adjust the lumbar support in two planes. Over the course of longer drives these facilities are a boon to driver comfort and reducing fatigue, although it must be said, there's not much give in the cushion of the seat base.

Shift paddles will provide a fairly fast response to driver demands for a downshift, and there's a sequential shift facility available through the gear lever as well.

There was no keyless start in the European-spec C 63 which came as a surprise. The C 63 driven came with a reversing camera, which is a useful feature, given that as the driver was backing the C 63 a vehicle behind was missed completely in the mirrors and with the head looking over the shoulder, but was picked up by the camera.

On the subject of observation, reversing is probably one of the few occasions the driver will ever need to use the mirror or the camera in this car!

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