We've just driven the new
Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe
. But, though it pains us, we can't tell you what it's like yet because we promised to play the game and stick by the embargo against driving impressions. Or sharing pictures of it sideways in clouds of tyre smoke, should that indeed have happened. Numbers and pre-launch press photos it is then, plus the opportunity to get the inevitable Top Trumps spec comparisons with its obvious rivals out of the way first.
Run-out 507 Edition of old C63 last of its breed
Where to start then? Well, we know from the
saloonand estate
twin-turbo4.0-litre V8
dominates the C63 experience and, given this is carried over more or less unchanged, let's kick off there. As per saloon and estate there are two versions to choose from; regular 476hp/479lb ft C63 Coupe or full beans 510hp/516lb ft C63 S. In both cars peak power comes at 5,500rpm and - crucially - torque from 1,750rpm. This compares with 507hp at 6,800rpm and 450lb ft at 5,000rpm in the most potent 507 Edition form of the outgoing
W204 C63 Coupe
- the last AMG on sale with the much-loved M156 6.2-litre normally-aspirated V8.
It also demolishes the 431hp and 406lb ft of the BMW M4 and makes the normally aspirated Lexus RC F's 477hp and 391lb ft of torque - the latter from 4,800rpm - sound a little weedy in comparison. We should probably also nod to the four-wheel drive 450hp Audi RS5 here, even if it's outgunned, long in the tooth and no dynamic delight, even with all the optional chassis and drivetrain extras.
We already know the engine is mighty
Such is the AMG way - when it comes to out-muscling the competition the guys from Affalterbach have to satisfy customer expectation. It needs to hammer the point home with suitable V8 noise too and all UK cars get the uprated, three-flap AMG Performance Exhaust as standard. This offers a wider range of sound, from more sociable Comfort mode to full-on window-rattling splendour when required. And, no, none of it comes from the speakers...
Looking good by the numbers isn't it? Sense a 'but' coming? You'd be right when we come to the weigh-in. Sure, the C63 S Coupe packs a hell of a punch on paper. But at 1,800kg it's 70kg more than the saloon (and previous C63 Coupe) and carrying a staggering 188kg weight penalty over an equivalent seven-speed M DCT auto BMW M4. The AMG is at least lighter than the Lexus by 40kg but that's little to boast about.
This side of a GT-R little comes close
Performance
The relevance of 0-62mph is questionable but, for the record, the C63 Coupe does it in four seconds dead, the S in 3.9. Assuming you can get it off the line cleanly (unlike us) the M4 claims 4.1 with the DCT gearbox, the normally aspirated Lexus and Audi trailing at 4.5 seconds. Top speeds are similarly moot, though AMG will raise the limiter from 155mph to 180mph with the AMG Driver's Package, including participation in an AMG Academy training event - this costs £2,755 for the C63 or just £765 for the S.
So to the vital fuel consumption and emissions stats... The new Coupe is at least a big improvement over the old car, with official numbers of 32.8mpg and 209g/km against the 6.2's optimistic sounding 23.5mpg and 280g/km. The BMW's smaller engine helps here, doing official 34mpg and 194g/km with the DCT gearbox. Weight and the normally-aspirated engine count against the Lexus, its official numbers 26.2mpg and 252g/km and similar to those of the Audi.
Of all the rivals THIS is the one AMG wants to beat
Pricing
At first glance cost also weighs against the Mercedes, which starts at £61,160 for the C63 Coupe and £68,870 for the S - an M4 DCT is £59,700, the Lexus £59,995 and an RS5 £59,920. All these cars have manifold ways of adding to that with various options packages and, frankly, at this level the difference is unlikely to be a deciding factor. Yet looming menacingly over them all is the £78,030 Nissan GT-R, a comparative price well within reach of any of these cars with a few options added and offering a totally different level of performance.
How close these cars get to that price will be down to your final spec choice but, for the record, upgrading to S from regular C63 also gets you 19-inch wheels over standard 18s, bigger 390mm steel discs on aluminium bells, active engine mounts, a fully active locking diff over the regular car's mechanical one and an additional Race mode for the AMG Dynamic Select. S buyers also have the option of upgrading the front discs to 402mm ceramics for £4,285, this approach saving nearly two grand over the £6,250 BMW charges for an all-ceramic set-up on the M4.
Edition 1 Motorsport Package has all the toys
Really looking to spend big? As is the traditional Mercedes way, the C63 Coupe launches with a bells and whistles Edition 1 option for £76,355. This gets unique 19/20-inch wheels, the AMG Aerodynamic Package comprising bigger front splitter, skirts and rear diffuser, black trim elements from the AMG Night Package that's a £585 option on regular cars, LED headlights, matt carbon fibre interior trim, Burmester stereo and quilted Nappa leather seats with contrast yellow stitching. And some decals. Still not enough? Spend another £3,000 and you can have the Edition 1 Motorsport Package, adding DTM-inspired yellow stripes and colour matched outer rims on the wheels, the ceramic front discs and the fancily titled Designo Magno Selenite Grey matt paint. Undisclosed 'sports tyres' are also available for a further £550, offering a "tangible and measurable increase in grip for ambitious laps on racetracks" if that's your goal.
Appetite suitably whetted? You'll be wanting to know how it goes now won't you. Bear with us...
MERCEDES-AMG C63 COUPE - SPECIFICATIONS
: 7-speed auto with lock-up clutch (MCT), rear-wheel drive
: 155mph/180mph* (limited)
: 1,785kg (EU, with driver)
: 32.8mpg (NEDC combined)
: 200g/km (209g/km with optional 'sports tyres')
*With optional AMG Driver's Package
MERCEDES-AMG C63 S COUPE - SPECIFICATIONS
: 7-speed auto with lock-up clutch (MCT), rear-wheel drive
: 155mph/180mph* (limited)
: 1,800kg (EU, with driver)
: 32.8mpg (NEDC combined)
: 200g/km (209g/km with optional 'sports tyres')
*With optional AMG Driver's Package
MERCEDES-BENZ C63 AMG EDITION 507 COUPE - SPECIFICATIONS
: 7-speed auto with lock-up clutch (MCT), rear-wheel drive
: 1,730kg (coupe, according to EC)
: 23.5mpg (NEDC combined)
: 2,979cc 6-cyl twin-turbo
: 6-speed manual/7-speed dual-clutch auto (M DCT), rear-wheel drive
: 4.3 sec (4.1 sec M DCT)
: 1,572kg (1,612kg M DCT, both EU with driver)
: 32.1mpg (34mpg M DCT, both NEDC combined)
: 204g/km (194g/km M DCT)
: £57,055 (£59,700 with M DCT)
LEXUS RC F - SPECIFICATIONS
: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
: 26.2mpg (NEDC combined)
AUDI RS5 - SPECIFICATIONS
: 7-speed dual-clutch auto, four-wheel drive
: 1,790kg (EU, with driver)
: 26.9mpg (NEDC combined)
NISSAN GT-R (MY14) - SPECIFICATIONS
: 6-speed dual-clutch auto, four-wheel drive
: 23.9mpg (NEDC combined)
M4 and GT-R photos: Tim Brown
Lexus RC F photos: Anthony Fraser
All other photos from respective manufacturers
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