Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe: A Gentleman’s Powerhouse
Near-perfect Handling
The W205’s chassis and platform always proved very capable in the ride and handling department. But having tested the convertible in 2017, the drop top lacked handling finesse, especially at the limit, due to the lack of a fixed roof, which compromises structural rigidity. And the convertible is noticeably heavier from extra reinforcements.
But the coupe’s hardtop and slightly lesser curb weight completely resolves these issues. The C63 S coupe is flat-out a bona fide gentleman’s sports coupe.
With standard AMG Ride Control adaptive suspension and three adjustable modes, the C63 S keeps body motions well in check, particularly in Sport, Sport+, and Race modes. The quick and accurate electro-mechanically power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, though a bit light on weight, gives excellent feedback, resulting in shockingly quick but naturally progressive direction changes and transitions, giving the BMW M4 a real run for its money. You completely forget that the C63 S breaks the two-ton mark.
Driving up some of my favorite twisties outside the New York City metro area, the C63 S’s confidence-inspiring handling, incredible amount of grip (thanks to super-sticky Michelin Pilot Super Sports), and planted feel had me yearning for a racetrack for me to truly stretch its legs and hoon some corners. It felt like you could literally throw anything at this thing and it would shrug it off like you were just toying with it.
This is something that couldn’t have been said for previous AMG cars. Although they were always formidable performance cars, fast AMG Mercedes-Benzes were often better suited storming the straights of the Autobahn or the open interstates and long-swoopy B-roads rather than tight, undulating switchbacks. But with how much AMG cars progressed to become credible handlers and drivers’ cars, this is no longer the case. The C63 S proves that AMG cars are just as capable in the performance and handling department as they are in straight-line speed, comfort, and luxury.
If there was one slight criticism about the C63 S, its exhaust note seems tamer and less raucous from the C 63 S convertible I last drove in 2017, apparently due to more restrictive noise and fuel economy regulations. A minor quibble, but the previous car’s loud exhaust really cranked up the fun factor on the C63 S, with its deep rumble at idle, its roaring baritone wail under acceleration, and its pops and burbles during gear changes and throttle lift-off over-runs. It was sorely missed in this updated model, even with the “loud mode” on.
Additionally, all the choices of preset driver AMG Dynamic modes—Slippery, Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Race, along with the three bespoke modes for the traction and stability control, between Basic, Advanced, Pro, Master, can get overwhelming and confusing since there are so many combinations. You can even adjust how intrusive the tractions and stability control are on a scale of 1-10.
And the ride, although compliant, was rather firm and a bit jostling, particularly on the very rough roads around the New York City Metro and New Jersey area, even in Comfort mode. And the rather stiff ride made me fear hitting any potholes. Thankfully, the latter didn’t happen and the excellent handling makes up for the edgy ride.
Final Verdict
The current C63 S AMG has always been the C-Class AMG we’ve expected to be and the subtle and changes of its 2018 model-year keep its momentum going just as well as its lovely biturbo V8. The differences mainly amount to aesthetics, equipment and options bundling, and revisions to the interior. There’s also an extra set of two forward gears, which smooth out acceleration and improve fuel economy, but only slightly as long as you exercise restraint with you right foot. But with 503 hp, it’s incredibly hard not to.
Though with over 500 hp and a sticker price of $99,700, its fuel economy rating of 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway aren’t much more than just an afterthought. But we do have to say that the C63 S AMG’s highway fuel economy rating is downright impressive. As far as AMG cars go, it does everything you’d expect it to do, and then some.
Photos for MBWorld by Chris Chin
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