SPY PICS: Benz C gets muscle
Mercedes hottest C-Class ever gets AMG eightThe hottest small Benz ever and the new flagship of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class range, the C 63 AMG has broken cover.
Caught by the Carsales Network's spymeister Carparazzi during testing at the Nurburgring, the C AMG is tipped to feature a softened version of the same 6.2-litre powerplant that powers the E and CL-Class 63s. And though that means the engine's likely to be rated at substantially less than the stonking 370kW-plus of the big cars, it will still hit the road as the fastest C-Class ever.
With BMW's new V8 M3 and Audi's RS4 both packing 309kW, we're tipping the C-Class will arrive with around 310-320kW. Not that Benz is about to start a power struggle or anything...
That's a healthy 40-50hp up on the car it replaces, the C 55 AMG. It should endow the C 63 with the performance potential to keep even supercars honest.
Expect that Mercedes will also take advantage of the new generation C's better on-road habits to make the car a genuine M3/RS4 rival. Check out the big CL 63 style front brakes (hiding behind the oddly-shaped 'mule' alloys) and purposeful stance of the test car photographed here.
No firm news on when the C 63 AMG is expected Down Under. At this stage, however, it appears the car may go on sale in Europe as early as Christmas 2007.
-- with Carparazzi
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
