2008 Mercedes Benz C63 AMG
Thundering out of the Mercedes-AMG plant in Affalterbach, Germany, the C63 AMG dominates the C-segment that has previously been led by the BMW M3. To go after the likes of the M3, RS 4, and Lexus IS F, would appear to be a very long and misguided shot, but Mercedes pulls it off and then some.
AMG’s of the past tended to be more of a tuner based car consisting of bolt on power after the fact. The C63 AMG is the first in its history that was conceived, engineered and built as an AMG. All about power and handling it is a true AMG in every way. The interior of the AMG gives a mix of luxury and style with a little bit of disappointment. Mercedes comes up a little short on the dash and interior pieces giving the C63 a little bit of a cheap feel. Ignite the potent 6.2 litre V-8 and you forget all about the short comings of the interior as you listen to the growl of the hand assembled power plant making 451 horsepower and 443 pound feet of torque. New in the C63 is the redesigned AMG Speedshift 7 speed automatic. Featuring paddle shift and full manual mode, you can cover the hop to 60 mph in just over 4 seconds and earth shattering 12.5 second quarter mile pass.
Don’t let the monster engine up front worry you about handling though. With 56/44 front/rear weight balance, AMG tuned suspension and AMG brakes that would be at home on a race car, the C63 handles just as well as some of its 2 door rivals. 18 inch AMG wheels and Pirelli z rated tires aid the handling and performance and keep the Mercedes gripping the corners with ease. One swift punch of the throttle coming out of a corner though and those 451 ponies will test the 255/35/18 Pirelli’s to there limit and provide an easy wheel spinning and tail drifting exit.
May 29th, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I like how this looks, wonder what its priced compared to an M3 or something like that
May 29th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
The Mercedes is about $64k and the M3 is about $59k