Mercedes C 63 AMG updated

The affordable performance sedan in the Mercedes-Benz range scores a new look and improved specification for the 2012 model year.

While the facelift of the C 63 AMG appears to be based on the recent styling revisions for the C-Class sedan, the C 63 is a car apart, with unique front panels. The exclusive bonnet, with bulges where there are none in the standard C-Class's pressing, is made of aluminium. Front and rear aprons are distinctive designs from the house of AMG and the front quarter panels, radiator grille and headlights are specific to the C 63.  A new five-spoke design of alloy wheel comes fitted with 235/40 R18 tyres at the front and 255/35 R18 tyres at the rear.

But the changes don't end with the cosmetic package. The 6.2-litre engine (336kW and 600Nm) may not have altered, but it now drives through the same transmission as in the E 63 AMG and SL 63 AMG. Instead of a conventional torque converter, the new transmission features a wet-plate clutch system to couple and decouple the engine torque from the transmission and final drive.

Benz has also fiddled with the transmission's 'Controlled Efficiency' mode (marked as 'C' among the four driver-selectable modes around a dial located in the centre console) to eke out a longer range from the same fuel quantity. This and the introduction of a revised power steering pump have reduced the sedan's fuel consumption in NEDC combined-cycle testing to 12.0L/100km. For the same test the C 63 wagon returns a figure of 12.3L/100km.

Not only is the C 63 more frugal than before, it's also more of an all-rounder in the corners. Ride comfort is claimed by Benz to be improved, but without detriment to the car's handling and roadholding, which boasts more negative camber for all four wheels and a rear anti-roll bar of larger cross section. Spring and damper rates have also been adjusted, which, according to Benz, optimises the suspension's passive dynamic traits and also reduces tyre-related NVH.

Inside the C 63 has been restyled and now features a new design of dashboard that's complemented by a three-spoke AMG steering wheel lifted from the CLS 63 AMG.

Also a legacy of the AMG-fettled CLS are the a number of new driver aids, including: Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Attention Assist, Distronic Plus, Speed Limit Assist, Parktronic (with parking guidance), Pre-Safe Brake and a reversing camera.

The C 63 can be optioned to the hilt with numerous extra-charge features, including a performance pack, which lifts peak power to 358kW to knock 0.1 seconds off the 0-100km/h acceleration time (sedan drops from 4.5 to 4.4 secs, wagon drops from 4.6 to 4.5). To achieve the stronger performance in the C 63 with the performance pack, AMG has specified engine internals from the SLS Gullwing, providing a 3kg weight saving from the forged pistons, connecting rods and lightweight crankshaft.

Benz's local PR manager, David McCarthy, told motoring.com.au that the next completely new generation of C 63 will be engineered around the 5.5-litre twin-turbo V8 that powers AMG's version of the CLS. According to McCarthy the platform underpinning the current C 63 — and this upgraded model — didn't match Benz's standards for safety and driveability. Quite simply, the current C 63 platform would be overwhelmed by the torque available from the 5.5. So buyers wanting twin-turbo V8 power for the C 63 will have to wait a few years, but the rip-roaring 6.2 atmo engine is hardly a compromise.

The new model-year C 63 arrives in Australia next month.

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