Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe: A Gentleman’s Powerhouse
Refreshed 2019 AMG remains a pure bona fide luxury sports coupe, keeping the momentum going as well as its potent V8.
When the current Mercedes-AMG C63 and C63 S arrived back in 2015, it proved that Stuttgart’s Silver Arrow was tightening the gap between some of its crosstown and Bavarian rivals, Porsche and BMW. For years, BMW and Porsche provided the sharpest performance tools available in the German shed, while the Mercedes-Benz AMG models delivered blistering performance with an impeccable blend of comfort and luxury, prioritizing their purpose as luxurious, everyday Autobahn and interstate stormers rather than agile Nürburgring and switchback champions.
But as AMGs evolved, its engineers proved that they can make a car as sharp in the turns as they are quick in a straight line. And we were definitely reminded of this when we recently had a chance to catch up with the C63 AMG in top-spec S trim for a week. So, how’s it fared since its introduction in 2015 and through a mid-cycle refresh just last year?
S for Sexy Looks
The C-Class and its AMG versions stylistically remain largely unchanged except for minor revisions. Such includes a new grille with vertical chrome inserts similar to AMG GT’s grille design, along with revised headlights, lower front and rear fascias, and new wheel designs.
Overall, the W205’s design is familiar by now and while they do blend in quite a bit from being around for several years, the C63 AMG S still manages to garner looks and thumbs up as it drives by thanks to its aggressive and badass looks.
Our tester’s optional staggered blacked-out multi-spoke wheels with contrasting deep-dish rims, 19-inch up front and 20-inch at the rear, also emphasized its high-performance modern gentlemen’s sports racer appearance. Wherever it went, the C 63 S proved to onlookers that it still means business, both in the rear-view and as it drives by.
Like the exterior, the interior is also equally familiar, remaining largely unchanged from the original 2014 model. The updates, if any, are subtle, mainly occurring with the center infotainment screen and differences in equipment options. As a result, the C63 S remains an incredibly nice place to sit with premium surfaces and switchgear all around.
There were some places where some discerningly cheap and flimsy plastic bits, however, especially for a car nearing the six-figure mark. But their placement was mostly in areas and surfaces where hands are less likely to go. And the customizable steering wheel-mounted control adjustment knobs at the four- and seven-o-clock positions on the center of the wheel felt like they could easily be broken off. Pay no attention however, and you’d never notice these minorly questionable choices of materials. And you wouldn’t either as all your attention is meant to be focused with the C63 S’s blistering performance.
S for Stupid Fast
The C63 and its more powerful S variant were never short on power and the story remains the same. That’s because the same 4.0-liter biturbo “M177” V8 sits up front, boasting a hefty 503 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque in the S model, considerably more than the standard C 63’s 470hp and 479 lb-ft. If you were wondering, yes, that’s still the same motor as the lovely Mercedes-AMG GT coupe to a slight varying degree. A new nine-speed AMG SpeedShift 9G-TRONIC PLUS dual-clutch automatic replaces the original car’s seven-speed box.
Despite tipping the scales at 4,134 pounds at the curb, the C63 S still only requires 3.7 seconds to hit 60 mph with launch control. Numbers say one thing about its acceleration but experiencing the brute force of its twin force-fed thundering ocho is something that words cannot describe. If you wanted to know what a sledgehammer feels like for straight-line acceleration, the C63 S is a solid place to start. Mash the throttle at any point and the transmission will kick down to its lowest gear and will render anything behind you to a tiny spec in the rear-view.
‘Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe: A Gentleman’s Powerhouse’ continued…
