Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG 2007 Review

AMG means business with the C63: it has covered more development miles than any other car in AMG's 40-year history.

First change is the engine. Out goes the old 5.4-litre V8, replaced by AMG's naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8, here punching out 336kW. It's mounted a further 15mm back in the C63's engine bay than the C-Class's regular engines, and on specially designed mounts, too.

Central among the changes to the chassis is the adoption of the front end from the CLK63 Black Series. It boasts redesigned wheel bearings that introduce greater levels of stiffness into the front-end structure, adding true precision to the steering, imbuing the C63 sharper turn-in and greater levels of feedback than any current AMG model. At 1568mm, front track is also 35mm wider than the standard C-Class.

The suspension, a four-link front and five-link rear arrangement, is related to standard C-Classes, but has been revised with added aluminium to keep unsprung masses down.

It's all clothed in an aggressive-looking body. You'll never mistake it for an ordinary C-Class - something that couldn't be said of its predecessor. A deep front bumper combines with a restyled steel bonnet, a pair of power domes and bulging wheelarches to give the new Merc real visual clout.

Inside, the changes continue with a set of heavily contoured seats offering electronic cushion adjustment, and a terrific flat-bottomed steering wheel with shift paddles for the C63's seven-speed automatic gearbox.

Turn the key and the engine draws breath before erupting to life with a deep bellow through the exhausts. On the move, it responds with alacrity to every request and runs to the 7000rpm redline without hint of strain. All the while the heavy metal soundtrack hardens. It's not quite Armageddon at full throttle, but it's close.

Acceleration is as mind-blowing as the epic exhaust note. Mercedes claims 0-100km/h in just 4.5sec. That's 0.3sec inside BMW's quote for the new M3. Top speed is capped at 250km/h, although the optional performance package extends that to a more fitting 280km/h.

But it is the chassis that really amazes. Finally, with this car, AMG has achieved that elusive balance between power and poise. As well as being seriously rapid, it also responds intuitively to your actions. It delivers the sort of confidence-inspiring feedback over winding roads that soon prompts you to make the most of the switchable ESP.

We won't see the C63 in Australia until the first quarter of 2008, priced at around $140K. A bargain, at least when measured against the old C55. And with the new M3 waiting in the wings, the scene is truly set for a battle royale.

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