Chris Harris confirms next C63 will be RWD
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Same here, at this point the only AMG I'm considering is the CLS but waiting to see what they do with the facelift - Audi and Porsche however have my full attention, especially considering the 911 won Motor Trend Best Drivers car two years in a row with the AWD 2013 version beating out the SLS Black Series 
When the 2012 C63 received substantial suspension improvements/upgrades (which noticeably improved the overall driving dynamics of the car), AMG began to steal away a few enthusiasts that would have normally gone with the M3.
Most people deciding between the F80 M3 (the C63's chief competitor) and the W205 C63 would run (not walk) from the C63 if it was only available in AWD.
There are a few benefits of 4MATIC: better in inclement weather climates (can be fixed to an extent for RWD cars with proper snow tires) and better launches from a stop.
The benefits of RWD are more extensive: lighter car, faster at rolling speeds, more challenging to drive, less understeer, etc.
If AWD is the most important criterion in selecting a car, the Audi RS models are the way to go. Quattro is superior to xDrive and 4MATIC.
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Last edited by bmoney12; Jan 16, 2014 at 05:34 PM.
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The C-Class AMG, just like the M3, has always been a RWD car.
When the 2012 C63 received substantial suspension improvements/upgrades (which noticeably improved the overall driving dynamics of the car), AMG began to steal away a few enthusiasts that would have normally gone with the M3.
Most people deciding between the F80 M3 (the C63's chief competitor) and the W205 C63 would run (not walk) from the C63 if it was only available in AWD.
There are a few benefits of 4MATIC: better in inclement weather climates (can be fixed to an extent for RWD cars with proper snow tires) and better launches from a stop.
The benefits of RWD are more extensive: lighter car, faster at rolling speeds, more challenging to drive, less understeer, etc.
If AWD is the most important criterion in selecting a car, the Audi RS models are the way to go. Quattro is superior to xDrive and 4MATIC.
When the 2012 C63 received substantial suspension improvements/upgrades (which noticeably improved the overall driving dynamics of the car), AMG began to steal away a few enthusiasts that would have normally gone with the M3.
Most people deciding between the F80 M3 (the C63's chief competitor) and the W205 C63 would run (not walk) from the C63 if it was only available in AWD.
There are a few benefits of 4MATIC: better in inclement weather climates (can be fixed to an extent for RWD cars with proper snow tires) and better launches from a stop.
The benefits of RWD are more extensive: lighter car, faster at rolling speeds, more challenging to drive, less understeer, etc.
If AWD is the most important criterion in selecting a car, the Audi RS models are the way to go. Quattro is superior to xDrive and 4MATIC.
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The Quattro cars are such bores to drive in dry conditions. Even with the optional rear diff, it's only tolerable for me. I'd never track it if I owned one because it'd be a snooze fest.
Yeah other than launches and super kool 0-60 times AWD is a disadvantage. More weight, more drivetrain loss etc. also many reviews for the 4 matic amg havent been amazing...I think chris harris review prefer the rwd e63 than the awd..also Another review said the amg 4matic is inferior to GTR and Quattro and doesnt fit for a true performance car.
The weight penalty for the 4MATIC system isn't that huge, under 150lbs if I remember right.
Last edited by rage2; Jan 16, 2014 at 06:03 PM.
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The C-Class AMG, just like the M3, has always been a RWD car.
Most people deciding between the F80 M3 (the C63's chief competitor) and the W205 C63 would run (not walk) from the C63 if it was only available in AWD.
If AWD is the most important criterion in selecting a car, the Audi RS models are the way to go. Quattro is superior to xDrive and 4MATIC.
Most people deciding between the F80 M3 (the C63's chief competitor) and the W205 C63 would run (not walk) from the C63 if it was only available in AWD.
If AWD is the most important criterion in selecting a car, the Audi RS models are the way to go. Quattro is superior to xDrive and 4MATIC.
Im not concerned about M3 buyers, I've been an MB owner for over 15 years now and AMG owner for over 10 - not once have I ever considered an M model mostly because I don't want or care about all the track focused precision blah blah that everyone with an M3 raves about. For me challenging to drive would be a con not a pro.
Not a fan of Audi RS models, but the S6/S7 and R8 have my attention. Recently got a chance to get aggressive behind the wheel of a tuned S6 and it was an absolute blast to drive with its twin turbo 4L and DCT trans making me hopeful of what the next C63 could be.
Best thing about the times we live in is that quite a few manufacturers have figured out how to make an AWD car fun and extremely fast. I'm sad that the C63 won't be on my shopping list but I think having to choose between cars like the GTR, 911 Turbo, S6/S7, R8, and CLS63 is not a bad place to be
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The E63, CLS63, and S63 have also always been RWD until the current model. Change isn't always bad, for the E, CLS, and S it's actually pretty darn good.
Im not concerned about M3 buyers, I've been an MB owner for over 15 years now and AMG owner for over 10 - not once have I ever considered an M model mostly because I don't want or care about all the track focused precision blah blah that everyone with an M3 raves about. For me challenging to drive would be a con not a pro.
Not a fan of Audi RS models, but the S6/S7 and R8 have my attention. Recently got a chance to get aggressive behind the wheel of a tuned S6 and it was an absolute blast to drive with its twin turbo 4L and DCT trans making me hopeful of what the next C63 could be.
Best thing about the times we live in is that quite a few manufacturers have figured out how to make an AWD car fun and extremely fast. I'm sad that the C63 won't be on my shopping list but I think having to choose between cars like the GTR, 911 Turbo, S6/S7, R8, and CLS63 is not a bad place to be
Im not concerned about M3 buyers, I've been an MB owner for over 15 years now and AMG owner for over 10 - not once have I ever considered an M model mostly because I don't want or care about all the track focused precision blah blah that everyone with an M3 raves about. For me challenging to drive would be a con not a pro.
Not a fan of Audi RS models, but the S6/S7 and R8 have my attention. Recently got a chance to get aggressive behind the wheel of a tuned S6 and it was an absolute blast to drive with its twin turbo 4L and DCT trans making me hopeful of what the next C63 could be.
Best thing about the times we live in is that quite a few manufacturers have figured out how to make an AWD car fun and extremely fast. I'm sad that the C63 won't be on my shopping list but I think having to choose between cars like the GTR, 911 Turbo, S6/S7, R8, and CLS63 is not a bad place to be
If you've decided you want to move on to bigger, heavier, faster cars, then you can't go wrong with any of the choices you set out.
I love the steering on my C63. There is very little to no understeer and it's quite easy to feel where the front end is during turn-in. I also love the fact that I can step the rear out in the proper circumstances.
If those attributes aren't appealing to you, by all means don't consider a RWD car.
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Yeah other than launches and super kool 0-60 times AWD is a disadvantage. More weight, more drivetrain loss etc. also many reviews for the 4 matic amg havent been amazing...I think chris harris review prefer the rwd e63 than the awd..also Another review said the amg 4matic is inferior to GTR and Quattro and doesnt fit for a true performance car.
I disagree. The new AMG 33:67 fixe 4MATIC system drives much nicer than the Quattro system, and I'd say is the best AWD system short of the one in the Mitsu EVO. Doesn't understeer under power, ability to adjust cornering attitude with the throttle, it's a driver's AWD system.
The Quattro cars are such bores to drive in dry conditions. Even with the optional rear diff, it's only tolerable for me. I'd never track it if I owned one because it'd be a snooze fest.
The RWD is more fun for honing that's for sure. There's no more tail out smokey drifts in the AWD cars in dry weather. One big advantage you missed is corner exits, there's so much more grip past the apex through a corner, the RWD car would never be able to touch it.
The weight penalty for the 4MATIC system isn't that huge, under 150lbs if I remember right.
The Quattro cars are such bores to drive in dry conditions. Even with the optional rear diff, it's only tolerable for me. I'd never track it if I owned one because it'd be a snooze fest.
The RWD is more fun for honing that's for sure. There's no more tail out smokey drifts in the AWD cars in dry weather. One big advantage you missed is corner exits, there's so much more grip past the apex through a corner, the RWD car would never be able to touch it.
The weight penalty for the 4MATIC system isn't that huge, under 150lbs if I remember right.
Most of the reviews I've read heavily praise the strides made by Quattro to make a better-feeling AWD system that is less prone to crap steering feel and the dreaded Audi understeer.
It sounds like you've got more experience with the 4MATIC system than I do. If you really say it's that good, I'll believe you.
The corner exit advantage can be reduced greatly by fitting a RWD car with more aero and better tires.
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And I don't think the 911 is bigger or heavier, faster yes.
To each his own, I'm glad a lot of people are going to be happy that it stays rear wheel drive and I hope you all have a blast with it - just not for me so I'm expressing a bit of disappointment in what I felt could have been an unbelievable car.
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I didn't pick the C63 based on its price, at that time I felt it was the best AMG vehicle offered and was the epitome of what AMG has been to me for years since my first W210 E55 - had the E63/CLS63 been AWD at that point I likely would have purchased one instead.
And I don't think the 911 is bigger or heavier, faster yes.
Differences between our definitions of fun - fast to me if fun
To each his own, I'm glad a lot of people are going to be happy that it stays rear wheel drive and I hope you all have a blast with it - just not for me so I'm expressing a bit of disappointment in what I felt could have been an unbelievable car.
And I don't think the 911 is bigger or heavier, faster yes.
Differences between our definitions of fun - fast to me if fun
To each his own, I'm glad a lot of people are going to be happy that it stays rear wheel drive and I hope you all have a blast with it - just not for me so I'm expressing a bit of disappointment in what I felt could have been an unbelievable car.
If a RWD C63 appealed to you when you initially purchased one, what has changed since then? I'm just curious.
And to be honest, just like the 6MT options are dwindling for old-school purists, RWD sports cars are also going the way of the dinosaur as well.
There are tons of AWD options out there for those who want to go that route. There are fewer reasonably priced RWD options (in terms of proper AMG or M cars). That is one reason (i.e., scarcity) that I'm happy that the C63 will remain RWD.
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But I think the main reason I want AWD is I've gotten to spend more time around AWD high performance cars, from my first ride in a 996 turbo years ago to tossing around the new E63S and many others in between I've seen AWD systems come a long way and feel they are more in line with putting down the power that current cars are producing. This is especially true with turbo cars which can gain upwards of 100hp/tq from just tuning .
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I love RWD cars. All my cars in the past was RWD and did not like AWD becasue with understeer. But right now I own A45 AMG Edition 1 and that is front wheel drive base AWD. I think that its amazing!! Its safe, not much understeer like AUDI, cornering is very fast.
C63 was a great car and fun car to drive for sure but since Im not a super great driver I dont think that I was able to use all 457 hp. Only on freeway I was able to. But at corners or in rain I was not able to. If Im great driver and able to handle drift it should been more fun with C63. I think that huge power 457hp was just waist for me. I owned C63 for 5 years but never turned ESP off.
But now with A45 its 2.0 liter turbo with 360hp. Since its AWD I can use all that power in corners saftly and fast. You feel like you became better driver. This is ESP ON, Sport or ON.
This is my first AWD but I think that I like it. For safty I think that AWD is very nice.
C63 was a great car and fun car to drive for sure but since Im not a super great driver I dont think that I was able to use all 457 hp. Only on freeway I was able to. But at corners or in rain I was not able to. If Im great driver and able to handle drift it should been more fun with C63. I think that huge power 457hp was just waist for me. I owned C63 for 5 years but never turned ESP off.
But now with A45 its 2.0 liter turbo with 360hp. Since its AWD I can use all that power in corners saftly and fast. You feel like you became better driver. This is ESP ON, Sport or ON.
This is my first AWD but I think that I like it. For safty I think that AWD is very nice.
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I thought they might have an AWD option for the C63 but definitely keep the RWD available. Im also very happy they are keeping this car RWD! RWD really is so much more fun a Ive experienced driving my C63 vs my Fathers E63S 4M.
AMGs popularity was built on the recklessness of these cars. AWD make the car too boring and it no longer stays an enthusiasts car IMO
AMGs popularity was built on the recklessness of these cars. AWD make the car too boring and it no longer stays an enthusiasts car IMO
I personally don't like going trough rear tires or spinning at a traffic light while someone is smoking me.
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also from my experience all AWD cars I've driven, including the new 4 matic amgs seem to have more understeer at turn in to a corner than RWD.
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But doesnt that have more to do with tire and suspension? I'm not a race car set up expert but grip is usually more dependent on suspension and tires. Sure an AWD car may be able to get on the power faster, but if the RWD has enough tire to not spin and the input is smooth then I dont think theres much of a difference....again im not an expert on the topic but thats how I understand it.
also from my experience all AWD cars I've driven, including the new 4 matic amgs seem to have more understeer at turn in to a corner than RWD.
also from my experience all AWD cars I've driven, including the new 4 matic amgs seem to have more understeer at turn in to a corner than RWD.
The suspension setup, tires used (and pressure used), and the amount of functional aero a RWD car has can all help to mitigate the loss of traction during high speed turn-in.
It's really difficult to dial understeer out of an AWD road car.
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But doesnt that have more to do with tire and suspension? I'm not a race car set up expert but grip is usually more dependent on suspension and tires. Sure an AWD car may be able to get on the power faster, but if the RWD has enough tire to not spin and the input is smooth then I dont think theres much of a difference....again im not an expert on the topic but thats how I understand it.
also from my experience all AWD cars I've driven, including the new 4 matic amgs seem to have more understeer at turn in to a corner than RWD.
also from my experience all AWD cars I've driven, including the new 4 matic amgs seem to have more understeer at turn in to a corner than RWD.
You guys really need to go pretend to buy an EVO X and test drive it. That car should be the benchmark for all other manufactures on how to dial in an AWD car. The turn in, and throttle control mid corner affecting cornering attitude rivals the best handling RWD cars. If only it didn't have such a crappy interior and terrible use of space.
As for the new AMG 4matic, I was able to get both the CLS63 and CLA45 sideways at the track both on turn-in with trail braking, and very slightly sideways on exit by punching it before the apex. It's no SLS, but it's pretty damn good for an AWD car.
With that being said, I'm glad the C63 is staying RWD.
Last edited by rage2; Jan 17, 2014 at 12:57 AM.
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If you can't get wheelspin coming out of a corner in a RWD car, you're not cornering hard enough. At the limit, your tire should have all it's grip dedicated laterally, any acceleration forces would break traction. RWD you need to be smooth on the throttle to ensure that as you reduce lateral grip, you don't overpower the tires with acceleration grip. AWD, the forward motion have double the tire/grip, so you can roll on the throttle much harder and that's where the difference is. It's huge.
You guys really need to go pretend to buy an EVO X and test drive it. That car should be the benchmark for all other manufactures on how to dial in an AWD car. The turn in, and throttle control mid corner affecting cornering attitude rivals the best handling RWD cars. If only it didn't have such a crappy interior and terrible use of space.
As for the new AMG 4matic, I was able to get both the CLS63 and CLA45 sideways at the track both on turn-in with trail braking, and very slightly sideways on exit by punching it before the apex. It's no SLS, but it's pretty damn good for an AWD car.
With that being said, I'm glad the C63 is staying RWD.
You guys really need to go pretend to buy an EVO X and test drive it. That car should be the benchmark for all other manufactures on how to dial in an AWD car. The turn in, and throttle control mid corner affecting cornering attitude rivals the best handling RWD cars. If only it didn't have such a crappy interior and terrible use of space.
As for the new AMG 4matic, I was able to get both the CLS63 and CLA45 sideways at the track both on turn-in with trail braking, and very slightly sideways on exit by punching it before the apex. It's no SLS, but it's pretty damn good for an AWD car.
With that being said, I'm glad the C63 is staying RWD.
