We all know the story of the latest Mercedes-AMG C63. The once mighty V8 super saloon/coupe/wagon dropping four of its cylinders in favour of an electric motor and battery. A very AMG 680hp (in the right conditions) has resulted, albeit with a not-so-AMG soundtrack. And while the 63 badge denotes that it’s the most potent C money can buy, it no longer bears any relevance to the powerplant lurking within.
The 63 designation was first introduced in 2006, when AMG fitted its new M156 V8 under the bonnet of the C209 CLK for the final few years of its life. While the car should have been labelled as a 62 for us, given the M156’s 6,208cc displacement, the car was badged a 6.3 as a nod to Mercedes’ first production V8: the M100. And we have in mind that some markets round up cubic capacity a bit more keenly, so it would have made sense. Perhaps. The 63 exists as the flagship AMG model, you know that, regardless of what's actually under the bonnet. In the years since 2006, moreover, some truly spectacular cars with the badge have been built.
It's little wonder Mercedes decided to pay respect to the M100 with the M156, because it was a proper beast of an engine back in the mid-2000s. While the CLK55 predecessor cranked out a respectable 362hp, the CLK63 brought a monumental leap in performance through good old fashioned displacement. No turbos, no supercharger. That’s 475hp at 6,800rpm and 465lb ft at 5,000rpm, both of which are pretty high compared to the instant power and torque available on today’s turbocharged motors (especially those with an electric component like the new C63), but that just gave drivers a reason to explore the upper echelons of the rev range and soak up that glorious noise while doing so.
That said, the CLK63 remained continental cruiser than B-road bruiser. For the best a CLK could get, you’d need to pay a sizeable premium for the achingly cool Black Series. Still do, in fact. So while critics noted the steering as having a decent amount of weight to it, don’t expect every imperfection of the road surface to be relayed to your fingertips. What it could do, however, was hold a drift without the stability control cutting in and spoiling all the fun. Merc’s nannying ESP system was heavily reworked for the 63, so when you hit the off button – it was properly off. That said, it would re-engage if you suddenly slammed on the brakes (the international sign for ‘oh crumbs’), while the traction control would keep a watchful eye to stop your skids from getting out of hand.
Truthfully, the CLK63 was a sizeable leap over the 55 and laid the foundation for the legendary W204 line of super Cs. But with the 63 arriving so close to the end of the C209 generation, and pricing firmly in Porsche 911 Carrera S territory, UK sales weren’t exactly stellar. HowManyLeft puts peak registrations at 82 during the final year of production in 2009, with only 47 remaining on the road today. And that makes this early example a rather rare find indeed.
Registered back in 2006 with a fully-loaded options list resulting in a cabin crammed with buttons – and that’s very much a good thing. It’s clocked 58,800 miles over the last 17 years, and it looks to have been serviced at Mercedes dealerships at various intervals throughout its life. It’s quite tempting at £18,950, isn’t it? Especially as it nabs you one of the most special engines to come out of Affalterbach, and one that we’re unlikely to see again.
SPECIFICATION | MERCEDES-BENZ CLK63 AMG
Engine: 6,208cc V8
Transmission: 7-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 475@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 465@5,000rpm
MPG: 19.9
CO2: 338g/km
Year registered: 2009
Recorded mileage: 58,800
Price new: £65,215
Yours for: £18,950
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