Review: 2017 Mercedes-AMG C63
15 December 2017, Neil Parkhi
Introduction
As the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class (released in April 2013) took the mantle of being the new entry-level sedan in Mercedes' line up of cars, Mercedes decided to make the W205 C-Class larger than its predecessor and more like the W222 S-Class, thus making it a “mini-S-Class". It includes Sport and Luxury trims with 2.0-liter I4 engine and 3.0-liter bi-turbo V6 engine options. Mercedes all-wheel drive 4MATIC is standard across the initial offering. The car is about 3.7 inches (94 mm) longer and 1.7 inches (43 mm) wider than the W204. Based on the new modular MRA rear-wheel drive platform, it features front axle four-link and rear axle five-link suspension. The AMG C 63 uses a similar 4.0-liter turbocharged V8 to the Mercedes-AMG GT sports car. You get about 460 horsepower but it can be raised to 503 with the S package. By moving to the downsized and turbocharged engine, Mercedes claims the W205 version consumes 32 percent less fuel than the model it replaced. The C 63 should also be able to complete the 0-60 mph (0-97 km/h) sprint in 4.1 seconds with a top speed limited to 155 mph (249 km/h) , and 3.9 seconds in the S with a top speed of 186 mph (290 km/h) with a special request from AMG to raise the speed limiter. The car still uses a seven-speed automatic transmission that sends power to the rear wheels and gets three-stage adaptive dampers specific to AMG models along with speed-sensitive variable steering. High-performance brakes are also a part of the package with 390 mm (15.4 in) discs in front and 360 mm (14.2 in) discs in the rear. On both ends of the car there are red AMG-branded calipers to squeeze those discs. Its first deliveries took place in early 2015 for the European market with a U.S. debut later in the year.
Heritage
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a line of compact executive cars produced by Daimler AG. Introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 range, the C-Class was the smallest model in the marque's line-up until the A-Class arrived in 1997. The C-Class is built at Mercedes-Benz factories in Sindelfingen and Bremen, Germany as well as numerous satellite factories in other countries. The W202 C-Class sedan was produced on 1 June 1993, and the first of the W203 rolled off the assembly line on 18 July 2000. The C-Class has been available with a 4Matic option since 2002. The W204 was launched in 2007. The W205 C-Class seen here came out in 2014. The car was officially unveiled on 16 December 2013 at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. W205 production commenced on 4 February 2014 at the Bremen plant. European sales began in March 2014, while the vehicle went on sale in North America in September 2014, and in South Africa in March 2015. The W205 is the first car to use the all-new Modular Rear-wheel drive Architecture (MRA) platform. The new structure is significantly lighter using aluminum extensively throughout the body, resulting in a 100-kilogram (220 lb) weight decrease. According to Mercedes-Benz, the structure will be much more rigid than other vehicles in its class.
Specifications
| Steering and Transmission | |
|---|---|
| Steering Type | Speed Proportional, Electro-Mechanical, Rack and Pinion Power Steering |
| Transmission Type | 7 Speed Automatic |
| Wheels and Tires | |
| Front Wheel Type | 19 inch 9 cross spoke forged center lock alloys |
| Rear Wheel Type | 19 inch 9 cross spoke forged center lock alloys |
| Front Tire Type | 265/35R19 |
| Rear Tire Type | 265/35R19 |
| Front Brake Type | AMG Ventilated Disc |
| Rear Brake Type | AMG Ventilated Disc |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension Type | AMG tuned MacPherson Strut Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension Type | Independent Multi-Link |
| Suspension Features | Stabilizer Bars, Coil Springs, AMG Brand Name Shock Absorbers |
| Dimensions | |
| Length (in, mm) | 187in, 4750mm |
| Width (in, mm) | 72.4in, 1839mm |
| Height (in, mm) | 56.5in, 1435mm |
| Wheelbase (in, mm) | 111.8in, 2840mm |
| Weight (lb, kg) | 3816lb, 1731kg |
| Engine Specifications | |
| Engine Type | 4.0 litre 32 valve twin turbocharged hand built V8 |
| Power (bhp, PS, kW) | 503bhp, 510PS, 375kW @ 5500RPM |
| Torque (lb-ft, Nm) | 516lb-ft, 700Nm @ 1750RPM |
| 0-60 mph (0-97 kmph) | 3.9 seconds |
| Top Speed (mph, kmph) | 186 mph, 300 kmph |
| Drivetrain | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Tank Size (gal, L) | 17.4 gallons, 66L |
| Fuel Type (AKI, RON) | 91 Octane/AKI Petrol (95 RON) |
| City Fuel Economy (mpg, kmpL) | 18mpg, 8kmpL |
| City Fuel Economy (mpg, kmpL) | 24mpg, 10kmpL |
| Cargo Specifications | |
| Cargo Space (ft3, L) | 12.6ft3, 357L |
| Max. Cargo Space (ft3, L) | 12.6ft3, 357L |