World debut: Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe

The gestation of Mercedes-AMG's new C 63 Coupe has been one of the car industry's worst-kept secrets this year, but these first official undisguised images and full, glorious details appear to vindicate the drawn-out teaser campaign.

Mercedes claims the two-door version of its lauded new C 63 AMG sedan and the flagship of its new-generation C-Class Coupe family is the sportiest C-Class ever.

That's an understatement, given confirmation it will be the quickest, most powerful and most dynamic C-Class yet seen, with the top-shelf C 63 S Coupe's 375kW of power and 700Nm of torque enough to propel it to 100km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds.

That not only makes it a tenth quicker to 100km/h than the lower-output C 63 Coupe, which offers 'just' 350kW/650Nm from the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo AMG V8, but also the C 63 S sedan – thanks to wider rear tyres, a shorter rear differential ratio and slightly less weight.

As with the C 63 sedan, the S version will be the only C 63 coupe sold at least initially Down Under, where first customer delivers arrive in mid-2016 -- alongside mainstream versions of the new C-Class Coupe – following their global public debut at next month's Frankfurt motor show and their European launch next March.

Despite its searing pace, which outguns the twin-turbo six-cylinder 317kW/550Nm BMW M4 Coupe – it's closest rival, although there's a hotter GTS version to come – to 100km/h by two-tenths, fuel consumption remains a respectable 8.6-8.9L/100km (NEDC) for both C 63 coupes.

Top speed is governed at 250km/h for both models, but can be extended to a blistering 290km/h with the optional AMG Driver's Package.

The C 63 S Coupe weighs 5kg less than equivalent sedan at 1725kg, which is 15kg more than the regular C 63 Coupe (1710kg) that won't be sold here.

The AMG coupe is also slipperier than the sedan, with Benz claiming a 0.26Cd drag coefficient for the mainstream C-Class Coupe, which helps it reduce fuel consumption by an average of no less than 20 per cent.

Visually, the newest AMG is differentiated from lesser C-Class Coupes by heavily flared front and wheel-arches in unique quarter panels, plus a beefier new 60mm-longer bonnet, wider wheel tracks and larger (19-inch) wheels.

In detail, AMG's new coupe is 64mm wider at the front and 66mm wider at the rear than its donor model, and its larger wheel-arches allow tyres up to 255mm wide at the front and 285mm at the rear.

The C 63 S runs 255/35 R 19 front and 285/30 R 19 rear tyres on five/twin-spoke alloys measuring a respective 9.0x19-inch and 10.5x19-inch. The standard C 63's 10-spoke alloys are the same width but 18-inch in diameter, wearing 255/40 front and 285/35 rear tyres.

Of course, there's also a muscular AMG body kit with an aggressive front bumper, side skirts, boot lip spoiler and twin chromed outboard exhaust outlets nestled within the rear diffuser.

All this gives the C 63 Coupe a far more focussed stance than the C 63 sedan and clearly marks it as the most brutal version of the sleek new C-Class Coupe range, with which it shares only its roof, doors and boot lid.

Like the C 63 S sedan, the coupe rides on AMG RIDE CONTROL suspension with three-stage electronic damper control and comes with AMG DYNAMIC SELECT modes for the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT seven-speed automatic transmission, dual-mode exhaust, dynamic engine mounts and electronic limited-slip rear differential (mechanical on the non-S model).

However, the two-door AMG also gains a specific rear axle carrier, steering knuckles and extra body reinforcing, while all coupes ride on 15mm-lower AMG-tuned four-link front and multi-link rear suspension.

All this is on top of the standard C-Class Coupe model, which is lighter yet stiffer than its predecessor thanks to a higher proportion of aluminium than ever -- including the front guards, the bonnet and the boot lid.

Indeed, the newest AMG will come with all of the advances seen in the new C-Class Coupe, including an 80mm longer wheelbase, 95mm more overall length, 40mm more width and more head, shoulder and elbow room for all passengers.

Inside the AMG-enhanced cabin, the standard sports seats – distinct from the C-Class Coupe's unique new seats – are finished in ARTICO/microfibre DINAMICA man-made leather, while lower Performance seats are optional.

Safety systems are as per the C 63 sedan, including ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS, plus the option of a host of others.