The car you see on these pages might look like any other Mercedes C-Class. But what nestles under the bonnet of this ordinary looking sedan, gives it the potential of gulping supercars for breakfast. This rapid version of the C-Class is powered by a 503bhp 4.0-litre V8 and is christened as the C63 AMG S. This new C63 is replacing an illustrious predecessor that was also a practical sedan that packed the rage of the Indian Bison when provoked. There is one crucial difference though – where the old car had a massive 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8, the new one sheds 2.2-litres in favour of turbo-charging. Mercedes also claims that the new car is 32 percent more efficient than its predecessor despite having much more power and torque to boot. This car at Rs 1.3 crore is more expensive than even the S-Class. So this car is for people who are young and need something very exciting without compromising on comfort and everyday usability. Read on to know if you have your money’s worth with this rocketship from the mad AMG division.
The Mercedes C63 AMG S looks a lot different than the regular variants of the C-Class. The front and rear bumpers get a distinctive racy design while the smoked headlamps remind you of the sporty intentions of the car. You get huge 20-inch wheels running on low profile tyres. The front grille features a twin-slat design which the AMG emblem incorporated in it. The front fenders too get the V8 Bi-Turbo badges. The rear bumper comes with a diffuser and you also get quad exhaust pipes which spit out an orgasmic sound, but more on that later. Oh, and did I mention that the car also gets brake callipers that come in a contrasting shade, like the yellow ones on our test car?
The cabin of the C43 AMG is similar to the C-Class in terms of layout and design. However, akin to the sporty bits on the outside, Mercedes has also tweaked the interior to make it look sportier. So the instrument cluster gets a chequered flag design and a race-timer function in typical AMG style. Then there is a flat-bottomed steering wheel and ash wood trim on the door panels (which can be had in red accents). The 5.5-inch screen in the centre still isn’t a touch screen display, but works efficiently through the controller. The aluminium accents on the dashboard and the upholstery with red stitching further do their part of adding some flair in the cabin. The black Artico leather seats look good, feel premium and are comfortable too. Finally, the bold red coloured seat belts again remind you of the car’s AMG nature.
While the front seats get the electronic aids to help you find a relaxed position, the rear seats get adequate leg room as well. Back support and thigh support might not be the best in the C43 AMG, but at no point did it make me feel uncomfortable. The sloping roofline has reduced the head room and the black interior might give a stuffy feeling. But, then the sun roof adds to an airy feel and the separate air-con vents at the back bring in some respite. However, this is true only for two occupants in the rear seat. A third person can be accommodated, but the high transmission tunnel will make him sit in a constrained position. Then there is a large boot to take care of your luggage needs, but most of the space is taken by the spare tyre allowing room for only three to four small bags.
The 71.4kgm of torque is a lot more than before but has been tamed in such a way that no matter how you prod the accelerator, you’ll get what you want. In Comfort mode, moving through city traffic is quick yet smooth, with a lazy but delightful V8 burble keeping you company. Torque builds rapidly from 1,500rpm, and past 2, 000rpm the rear tyres feel like they are digging their claws deep into the tarmac. Such is the ferocity of the acceleration that you expect, no, hope for some let up in shove as the tacho needle swings towards its near-7,000rpm red line. Incredibly, there isn’t.
As you step up the drive modes from Sport to Sport+ and then finally into Race, the sense of urgency changes from a tiger’s lazy saunter through the woods in to a fangs-bared charge. When it comes to the C 63 S’ acceleration, neck snapping isn’t a figure of speech. The fast-acting gearbox also multiplies the potency of the engine and makes overtakes a hilarious blink-and-miss affair. But every now and then the gearbox feels a bit clunky when getting off the line and at lower speeds. Keeping the gearbox in manual mode promises control over the shifts, while upshifts and prompt downshifts sometimes requires some prodding. Also, when driving fast, the thunder and anger of the old C 63 AMG’s exhaust note is lacking here. The burbles and pops that can be heard at overrun are overwritten by the torrent of chortled air being pushed out of the complex plumbing that terminates in the quad exhausts.
Still, the C 63 S is rapid and brims with feel and confidence from behind the wheel. The steering is a fantastic link to the changing tarmac under the front wheels. Reports of the coarseness of the tarmac and the slightest dip are murmured softly to the driver. The steering weighs up at higher speeds, demanding a playful hint of muscle to change direction. In corners, you can feel the huge levels of grip on offer from the 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres. They handle the formidable task admirably, soaking up the massive forces at the rear axle during accelerating. Whilst at the front they have to deal with the, frankly dizzying, braking power offered by the carbon-ceramic brakes. In a straight line the C 63 S’ blinding speed was backed up by a glued-to-the-ground feel. Lane changes were quick and stable too. However, using the speed turned into a stop-go affair as even the slightest rough patch sent the C 63 S bucking around as the sportier drive modes gave it a race-car like tautness. There’s better compliance in Comfort mode with the AMG rounding off big bumps well. Nonetheless the road surface is transmitted into the cabin in a manner that forces the driver to scan the road ahead for poor sections of tarmac.The sporty leanings of the C 63 S also extend to the cabin insulation, or the lack of it. Its sense of luxury is marred by tyre and suspension noise that invades the cabin consistently. At highway speeds over less than perfect concrete, the thuds from the suspension were a few too many and the roar of tyres were all too audible inside the cabin. The ride and cabin insulation robs the C 63 S of some of the practicality that a four-door super-saloon proposes.
Just like anything that comes off the AMG stable, ride quality isn’t exactly high up among the long list of the C63’s selling points. However, the AMG Dynamic Select does allow you to make things comfortable by adjusting the suspension to comfort or dynamic mode. The steering feels fairly light at lower speeds making it easy to manoeuvre in the city. Thanks to good visibility from behind the wheel it is easy to park but if that too isn’t enough for you then the C63 S also comes fitted with a 360 degree camera. The biggest drawback of the C63 S though is its ride height. It sits really low due to which one has to consciously drive the car sideways over large bumps and potholes.One rather annoying thing about the C63, though, is the road noise that seeps into the cabin. It isn’t simply what you’d expect from a performance saloon that is so refined in all other departments.
Despite all their stellar accomplishments, mainstream Mercedes-Benz cars have never been at the forefront when it comes to the question of handling. But not AMGs, and definitely not the C63. It has just the right dynamics to make it extremely fun to drive, be it on a winding stretch of road, the autobahn, or even the race track. The steering weighs up pretty well as you gain speeds; you can change the engine, suspension exhaust settings to make it feel more energetic too. If that still doesn’t cut it, and you’re brave and talented enough, you can try switching off the traction control and enjoy some sideways action. Be warned, though, the 2015 C63 AMG is extremely tail happy. As far as braking is concerned, the 2015 C63 AMG comes with a disc setup on all four corners. The car that we had on test was fitted with the optional ceramic composite braking system. With this top-spec fitment, even under heavy braking, the car remains composed and comes to a stop without much drama.
The car maker is offering this Mercedes Benz C Class C 63 AMG trim with top rated comfort features. It comes with a list including THERMATIC automatic climate control unit, ECO start and stop button, electrically adjustable steering column and outside mirrors, sun blinds for rear doors, cooled glove box compartment with illumination, rear center armrest with two cup holders and stowage compartment, side folding front armrest and power windows with one touch control along with obstruction sensors. Apart from these, it is also blessed with key operated remote boot lid opening, smokers package , electrically adjustable front seats with memory function, interior mirror with auto-dimming function, and a leather wrapped multi-functional steering wheel.This saloon has several advanced safety features, which safeguards the passengers from accidents. The list includes tyre pressure monitoring system, seat occupancy recognition for front passenger seat, adaptive brake lights, parking guidance, and ATTENTION assist system. It also has an electronic stability program with anti-slip regulation, ABS with EBD, adaptive dual stage front airbags, height adjustable seat belts and ISOFIX child seat attachment points in rear. In addition to these, it has electronic engine immobilizer including ‘ELCODE’ locking system and a programmable remote key with infrared remote opening and closing of windows.