It’s the End of the Road for Mercedes-AMG C63 Rear-wheel Savagery

Moving forward, the AMG C63 will be all-wheel drive, but on the plus side the next-gen C-Class will have Drift mode.

Mercedes recently announced that the current generation of the AMG C63 will be its last with RWD. The next generation of the Mercedes-AMG C63 will be AWD. Much like the upcoming 2021 C-Class, it will come with Drift mode.

Speaking to Top Gear, an unnamed source for Mercedes confirmed the news. The C63 will likely continue to be powered by the twin turbo 4.0-liter V8. However, we expect a bump in power. According to Top Gear, the C63 is likely to produce or 549 hp, and hit 0-62 in under 3 seconds.

The news wasn’t a surprise, this is a trend we’ve seen (and expected) for some time. Competitor BMW has also been making the change from RWD to AWD, with the upcoming M3 is expected to be offered in xDrive AWD, with an option for a RWD also available.

The Drift mode decouples the front driveshaft, which still gives you the option to stir up some trouble with the rear wheels.

So yes, we’ll have the power, we’ll still that the AMG performance, and we’ll have Drift mode. And AWD certainly has its advantages. Many would argue it offers better grip, and more precise turns, it has faster acceleration, and is easier to drive in varying weather conditions. But does it mark the end of an era for purists?

In a way, yes. The C-Class running on an AWD platform is sure to make those looking for superior lap times happy. But RWD just handles differently, it feels more immediate, offers a different grip and handling that many prefer. Do we have confidence that Mercedes-AMG will deliver an AWD C-Class that kicks ass? We do. But we will miss the rowdy ride of a RWD.

What do you think of AWD on upcoming generations of the AMG C63? Is this a loss, or are you confident an AWD C-Class will still deliver? Does it make a difference? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, or join in the discussion in our forums.

Photos: Mercedes-Benz

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Sherry Bryan

Longtime automotive journalist S.J. Bryan has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is an editor with Ford Truck Enthusiasts and regular contributor to F-150 Online, Harley-Davidson Forums, and The Mustang Source, among other popular auto sites.

Bryan first discovered her passion for all things automotive while riding in her parent's 1968 Ford Mustang. The automotive expert cut her teeth growing up riding on Harleys, and her first car was a Chevy Nova. Despite her lead foot, Bryan has yet to receive a speeding ticket.

The award-winning former playwright was first published at age 18. She has worked extensively as a writer and editor for a number of lifestyle and pop culture publications. The diehard gearhead is a big fan of American muscle cars, sixth-gen Ford trucks, and Oxford commas.

S.J. can be reached at sherryjbry@gmail.com.