Chris Harris reviews the new C63 AMG
WEIGHT -
I am comparing against a 507 and a C63S -- they have the same curb weight (3640 lbs). So let's put that fact to rest. Source: Autoweek
POWER OUTPUT -
C63S
510 hp at 5500 rpm
Torque is 516 NM at 1750 rpm
C63 507 Sedan
507 Hp @ 6800
450 @ 5200
The C63S should be faster, but to 60 mph it may not be, because of inevitable turbo lag.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
C63S
City - 11 L/100
Hwy - 6.9 L/100
C63 507
City - 18 L/100 (61% worse)
Hwy - 9 L/100 (23% worse)
Maintenance-
With dynamic engine mounts, exhaust flaps, electronic dampers & steering… good luck servicing a W205 when it's out of warranty! No thanks.




Would have been nice though. No Euro delivery!
I am a manufacturing engineer and have worked at Toyota in Japan and GM…
there is no way the W205 has a better quality interior. Everything, from the leather to the plastic is a notch below the W204.
I agree the W205 "looks" more expensive. It's a clever trick employed by Mercedes.




Given that, I cannot see how Euro delivery is possible.
Perhaps someone else can confirm?
Thanks
I love my C400 and coming from my 507, I appreciate the marked step in refinement. But the C63 should look badass or over styled. This new one barely looks different from my C400, never mind the C450...which is a shame. To me the old C63 was like a Lamborghini Gallardo , a little over the top. This new one is more, I don't know, R8. Fast but more efficient and less flair. If that makes any sense!
I'm still deciding which can I want to get next. I have until later this year. Don't have any specific brand loyalty, but I can tell you, I would never have considered a W204, but after I saw this new W205 C-class in person, I was just wowed. And this C63 is a beast. I'm happy they are bringing out a C450 AMG too.
http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/m...ive-2015-02-26
"What's this, then?
It's the new Mercedes-AMG C63 S, a subtle name change to reflect the super-saloon's subtle new styling. In fact, this C63 is hardly more aggressive than any C-Class busied up with a few choice AMG styling touches.
But when you look a bit closer, there are tell-tales that this is a bit more than a C250 CDi with swanky wheels. First up, there are a couple of AMG powerdomes on the bonnet, and a front bumper with a pair of massive airdams through which you can see nothing but radiator - always a good sign.
Then there are front wings gently flared to cover a wider track, and the cars sits low but not ridiculously so on 19-inch rims - 18s on the standard car. Front and rear are linked by a set of subtle sill extensions, and there's an almost vestigial stub of a rear spoiler on the bootlid with a pair of rectangular exhausts either side of the rear valance.
Yes, there are a few ‘V8 Biturbo' badges knocking about, but visually lairy, this is not. It is, however, one of those quiet, bookish types who happens to be a part-time ninja.
How so?
Well, under the bonnet of this sober-looking saloon is a wet-sumped version of the AMG GT sports car's 4.0 V8 Biturbo (their codenames are only one digit apart, being 'M177' and ‘M178').
That means 510bhp and 516lb ft for the ‘S' we have here, 476bhp and 480lb ft as a standard C63. Rest to 62mph is dealt with in four seconds flat, and the car is limited to 155mph. Which - on paper at least - makes it a proper thundersaloon.
What about the chassis?
This is a proper re-working rather than an enhancement of a top-end Merc. The front suspension consists of four links and a wider track than the previous generation C63, the rear a similarly slightly fatter-tracked traditional multi-link with independent mounts.
Both ends are tied together by AMG's electronically-controlled ride-control system, offering three strata of firmness: comfort, sport and sport+, accessed from a series of buttons around the touchpad controller. The S also gets a further option in the COMAND system called ‘Race', that allows the driver to play with the various functions (engine response, damping, ‘box and exhaust) to optimise their own preferred set-up, linked to an S-specific electronic rear differential.
And the transmission?
It's Merc's ‘AMG SpeedShift MCT-7', but uprated to punt out what the company refers to as ‘significantly quicker shift times'. The standard car gets a straight mechanical locking rear diff, and the S gets that electronic version which apparently reacts a little quicker and adds a level of finesse when matched to the bespoke modes in the Race function.
Other fun stuff includes a Race Start function (left-foot brake in either Sport+ or Race, pull both paddles, acknowledge by pulling the right hand paddle, floor the accelerator and lift brake), which gives picture-perfect starts every time.
Also, there's the usual suite of traction and stability controls to keep everything pointing in vaguely the desired direction, a completely re-worked set of complicated algorithms that mean that the C63 should help you be a hero without feeling patronised.
Does it work?
Oh yes. The engine feels barely turbocharged, with a delivery that is elastic, responsive and hammer effective. There's a vague feeling that there's too much torque in the mid-range for a normally-aspirated car, and there's a faint turbo whistle, but it really does just feel like a car with a much bigger, non-turbo motor.
What that means is that it reacts faithfully to the throttle, every time. No muss, no fuss. Of course, you can play with the way it delivers its power via the various modes, but it's never anything short of impressive.
How does it sound?
Magnificent. The C63 warbles away like sub-bass through a thin wall at idle, and then sonically transforms into a howling bass at full throttle in Race and Sport+. It also does the most delicious backfires and crackles on the overrun - and unlike some manufacturers who ‘engineer in' identical off-throttle cackling that sounds the same every time (and hence makes you feel a little hoodwinked), the new C63 has a full range of spits, gobbles, cracks and bangs.
Can it go round corners?
It can. This isn't just a C with a big motor dropped into it. There's sophistication running through the whole thing. The ride is firm - even in Comfort mode - but the staging is well-judged to the point where you really can drive it in Sport+ without needing to be on a track.
And when you really start to drive hard, the car immediately comes with you. Turn-in is sharp rather than darty, and the C doesn't seem to lean - just like the AMG GT, it features active engine mounts that slacken to reduce vibration and NVH from the engine/gearbox combo during cruising, and tighten during more committed driving to improve response.
It basically reduces disturbing inertia in the oily bits during cornering, leading to a more instant-feeling response from the steering wheel. Result? You can pick a line and stick with it without constantly second-guessing the balance between under and oversteer.
The gearbox is quick, although not quite as slick as a DSG, but is regular and useful and predictable, even when it shifts itself rather than using the paddles.
Will it drift?
Delete the electronic minders and there's plenty of slewing about like a hooligan to be had if you desire, but the C63 rewards tidiness more than anything. And if you really just want to smoke antisocially, it will also do quite ridiculous rolling burnouts.
I know it's pointless, but interesting that AMG still let you take the reins if you want to be silly. It's a real feel-good car, and I think even more so when you get out of it and realise it just looks so normal. I hesitate to use the word ‘boring', but there's a defined under-the-radar vibe to this car.
It has good brakes, too. Just in case you get too enthusiastic, which you probably will. Try 390mm discs at the front and barely smaller 360mm discs on the rear. I would, however, option the carbon ceramics if you like going fast or intend any sort of track work - on our test route we managed to sort of set fire to the optional set-up, so I doubt the steel stoppers will be better.
What's it like on the inside?
Special without being gaudy or overdone. There's a flat-bottomed, slightly too-thick steering wheel, fabulous deep, contoured seats and lots of little carbon and AMG touches that make the car feel reassuringly expensive. Top options include lovely Burmester surround-sound audio, an even louder variable AMG sports exhaust, head-up display and intelligent LED headlights.
There's also an ‘Edition 1' variant for the UK, which costs £73,500 and gets bespoke finishes and extra bobbins. Basically it's a gussied-up S to celebrate the launch of the car.
Another little kicker comes in the shape of the C63 Estate from £60,995. Just about the perfect size, pretty much all of the performance (same top speed, only 0.1 seconds added to either model's 0-62mph time, less than 1mpg less efficient) and even less likely to attract attention, it's a properly attractive semi-sleeper. But we've always been suckers for a fast wagon here at Top Gear.
Is it, um, economical?
Officially, the new engine is a third more efficient than the old 6.2-litre naturally-aspirated V8 in the previous generation C-class. That's impressive, and apparently provides the new C63 with the ability to do nearly 35mpg driven carefully. For a car with more than 500bhp, that's extraordinary. Also pretty unlikely - we got around 25mpg.
Should I buy one?
The obvious competition comes in the shape of BMW's M3, and I have to say that, for me, the C63 is a better car. More duality, more confidence, all of the performance. But when you have a car that's subtle-but-good-looking, an absolute joy to drive quickly without scaring you witless, capable of carrying the family and putting the wind up a serious sports car, you know you've got a winner."
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
I am a manufacturing engineer and have worked at Toyota in Japan and GM…
there is no way the W205 has a better quality interior. Everything, from the leather to the plastic is a notch below the W204.
I agree the W205 "looks" more expensive. It's a clever trick employed by Mercedes.
I also have a W205 C300. The interior is sublime. No creaks. No rattles. Soft-touch materials everywhere. Aluminum switches feel sturdy and have a luxurious quality about them. My W204 interior has been great too. Love the Recaro seats and flat-top, flat-bottom steering wheel.
But with respect to the W205, Car and Driver said it had the nicest interior of any car under $60k:
http://blog.caranddriver.com/this-is...r-under-60000/
"The C-class doesn’t just look similar to more-expensive Benzes, it feels like a six-figure car. Michael Brueger, former Car and Driver road warrior and Mercedes-Benz senior sales associate, reports that customers have noticed. “Every C-class owner’s first impression is that they’ve died and gone to S-class heaven,” he says. “The excellence they notice operating the new C300’s controls and stroking its trim is essentially the same as in our $150,000 flagship.”
Praise for the quality of the interior has been universal and I think you'll have a hard time convincing us otherwise. The quality of the materials is an objective consideration. Now, if you don't like it, that's fine. I'm not going to convince someone to like a particular styling.
I can't even imagine how much nicer the W205 C63 will be with the exclusive AMG touches it will receive - 1) Recaro seats with exclusive AMG leather options (including perforated leather, finally); 2) Exclusive trim options (including carbon fiber trim); 3) Three steering wheel options to choose from (full alcantara; leather with alcantara side grips; full leather with perforated leather side grips), etc.
You're going to love your 507. I think we all have a tendency to want to justify the purchases we made and of course, you're getting the last iteration of the W204 right as the W205 is dropping. Apart from the Black Series, the 507 Edition is my favorite iteration of the C63. I think you made a phenomenal choice and no one will take that away from you.
There's just no need to tear down the W205 in the process. The reviews have been absolutely glowing (e.g., the Top Gear review from today that I shared above).
I love my C400 and coming from my 507, I appreciate the marked step in refinement. But the C63 should look badass or over styled. This new one barely looks different from my C400, never mind the C450...which is a shame. To me the old C63 was like a Lamborghini Gallardo , a little over the top. This new one is more, I don't know, R8. Fast but more efficient and less flair. If that makes any sense!




Thanks for your comments. Points well made - I'm not here to challenge your opinion, or anyone else's. It is my opinion however, as an automotive engineer, that the W205's interior materials are in fact of a slightly lesser quality than the W204's
I am not trying to justify my purchase of a 507. I just ordered it and could have easily ordered a W205 C63.
But when I see that fake carbon fiber "trim" in the instrument dials, I want to barf. But perhaps that's just me. And I do think potential buyers should take a look at a 507 before they pull the trigger on a W205.
The interior is great, except for 3 things:
1. Stuck on iPad
2. Steering column shifter
3. Cheesy AMG badge stuck on the center console
Overall, seems like a nice package. It's not enough for me to favor it over the current W204. The NA V8 will be a classic.
Thanks for your comments. Points well made - I'm not here to challenge your opinion, or anyone else's. It is my opinion however, as an automotive engineer, that the W205's interior materials are in fact of a slightly lesser quality than the W204's
I am not trying to justify my purchase of a 507. I just ordered it and could have easily ordered a W205 C63.
But when I see that fake carbon fiber "trim" in the instrument dials, I want to barf. But perhaps that's just me. And I do think potential buyers should take a look at a 507 before they pull the trigger on a W205.
The interior is great, except for 3 things:
1. Stuck on iPad
2. Steering column shifter
3. Cheesy AMG badge stuck on the center console
Overall, seems like a nice package. It's not enough for me to favor it over the current W204. The NA V8 will be a classic.
As for the column shifer, I know its not "cool" but I think it works really well. We dont change gear using the stick shift in the center console anyways, so I have no problem with it. Its functional and easy to use. I miss the column shifter when I drive my c63.
the ipad is a visual eyesore and they should improve that but it is a very functional piece. I did not notice the difference the placement of the screen made until i stepped back into my c63 and had to look down a lot more for the screen. placing the screen at eye level really makes a difference to me. Just hope they find a way to visually integrate it for the facelift.
I agree with the above poster that the AMG badge in the console is lame
As for the column shifer, I know its not "cool" but I think it works really well. We dont change gear using the stick shift in the center console anyways, so I have no problem with it. Its functional and easy to use. I miss the column shifter when I drive my c63.
the ipad is a visual eyesore and they should improve that but it is a very functional piece. I did not notice the difference the placement of the screen made until i stepped back into my c63 and had to look down a lot more for the screen. placing the screen at eye level really makes a difference to me. Just hope they find a way to visually integrate it for the facelift.
I agree with the above poster that the AMG badge in the console is lame
And not to nitpick but after re-watching the review, Harris was solely referring to the feel of the buttons on the steering wheel when he made the "Korean" comment.
I think he was quite enamored by the actual gauges (he was giddy when he mentioned the available boost gauge).
Automobile Magazine's W205 C63 review was just published. They spent time on the standard car as well.
Add another glowing review to the pile:
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...mg-c63-review/
Me thinks W204+M156= Win win!
Coming from the A45, identical seats other than you have more adjustability in the C63, stupid Ipad screen which looks like an after thought? Whats wrong with the old gear stick? Hmm
My 0.02 cents
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...mg-c63-review/
"You already know the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class is good: The car easily notched a place on our 2015 All-Stars roster last fall. But what you couldn’t have known is how much potential was built into the basic architecture -- and how much the wizards at AMG would wring out of it. The new C63 and its more performance-attuned sibling, the C63 S, are deadly threats to the new BMW M3. Yeah, they’re that impressive."
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/mercedes-amg/c63
"The Mercedes-AMG C63 S represents real progress. It is clearly a more engaging car than its predecessor and perhaps more than ever before the car you would choose over the BMW M3.
Not only is it more powerful and quite a bit faster in a straight line than the old C63, it also offers improved cruising ability, is also significantly more economical and boasts class leading quality.
The clincher for me, though, is the sheer breath of its dynamic ability. Significantly sharper, more responsive and superbly balanced, it delivers superb handling and instills great confidence in the driver, even on the most challenging of roads."
Still, I'm going to keep on loving my W204 for a little while longer. I'm still just getting to know her haha.
Hey buddy!
I wasn't ready to part ways with the 6.2 when I brought my 2011 back. The 507 was awesome and I am glad I had that extra year and a half with it. The long goodbye so to speak but I re-evaluated what I was doing with my car setup. Got rid of my R Class for a 2014 E wagon which is great, and got myself an AWD DD that is quick and luxurious. I couldn't bear a 5th winter with the C63, and you now how bad this winter is!
I am now going to concentrate on getting a 3rd car as my sports car. I am leaning towards a Shelby GT350...or an SL63 (2011-2012), or a 4 seater convertible.
At least I get to see it in the showroom lol, but honestly I was taken by the style of the C400 in and out, and all of a sudden made the W204 look really, really old.
But the old C63 was more brash and badass than the new car, but no doubt the new C63 will be in another league.
And not to nitpick but after re-watching the review, Harris was solely referring to the feel of the buttons on the steering wheel when he made the "Korean" comment.
I think he was quite enamored by the actual gauges (he was giddy when he mentioned the available boost gauge).
Automobile Magazine's W205 C63 review was just published. They spent time on the standard car as well.
Add another glowing review to the pile:
http://www.automobilemag.com/reviews...mg-c63-review/
Does yours have the bumper alignment issue?
I wasn't ready to part ways with the 6.2 when I brought my 2011 back. The 507 was awesome and I am glad I had that extra year and a half with it. The long goodbye so to speak but I re-evaluated what I was doing with my car setup. Got rid of my R Class for a 2014 E wagon which is great, and got myself an AWD DD that is quick and luxurious. I couldn't bear a 5th winter with the C63, and you now how bad this winter is!
I am now going to concentrate on getting a 3rd car as my sports car. I am leaning towards a Shelby GT350...or an SL63 (2011-2012), or a 4 seater convertible.
At least I get to see it in the showroom lol, but honestly I was taken by the style of the C400 in and out, and all of a sudden made the W204 look really, really old.
But the old C63 was more brash and badass than the new car, but no doubt the new C63 will be in another league.
i REALLY want to see one in person, but the technology added to the car alone make the w204 seem really old.
I dont think i'll be rushing to buy one, but i like options.
As a current mustang gt owner i'll say this.....unless they improved the build quality i'd avoid it. Maybe the shelby is built better but the suspension on our 5.0 squeeks and rattles
If I was looking at american muscle right now i'd lean towards the stingray or z/28 myself.
I think the E wagon is a great improvement from the R, but I'm not sure about the new design of the w205 C400, it hasn't grown on me yet.
Ur silver 507 was a beauty, hope ur brother Nick still have his silver SLS.

I wasn't ready to part ways with the 6.2 when I brought my 2011 back. The 507 was awesome and I am glad I had that extra year and a half with it. The long goodbye so to speak but I re-evaluated what I was doing with my car setup. Got rid of my R Class for a 2014 E wagon which is great, and got myself an AWD DD that is quick and luxurious. I couldn't bear a 5th winter with the C63, and you now how bad this winter is!
I am now going to concentrate on getting a 3rd car as my sports car. I am leaning towards a Shelby GT350...or an SL63 (2011-2012), or a 4 seater convertible.
At least I get to see it in the showroom lol, but honestly I was taken by the style of the C400 in and out, and all of a sudden made the W204 look really, really old.
But the old C63 was more brash and badass than the new car, but no doubt the new C63 will be in another league.
I wasn't ready to part ways with the 6.2 when I brought my 2011 back. The 507 was awesome and I am glad I had that extra year and a half with it. The long goodbye so to speak but I re-evaluated what I was doing with my car setup. Got rid of my R Class for a 2014 E wagon which is great, and got myself an AWD DD that is quick and luxurious. I couldn't bear a 5th winter with the C63, and you now how bad this winter is!
I am now going to concentrate on getting a 3rd car as my sports car. I am leaning towards a Shelby GT350...or an SL63 (2011-2012), or a 4 seater convertible.
At least I get to see it in the showroom lol, but honestly I was taken by the style of the C400 in and out, and all of a sudden made the W204 look really, really old.
But the old C63 was more brash and badass than the new car, but no doubt the new C63 will be in another league.
Did you not feel like that? How long did you keep the C63 for? Are you happy with your decision?
) Looks like one hell of a car.





