Motor Trend: 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 S First Test Review
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Motor Trend: 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63 S First Test Review
A new instrumented test from Motor Trend:
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t_test_review/
- Better performance than the W204 C63 Black Series in all metrics
- Updated MCT transmission almost as good as Porsche PDK
- Full comparison test against the M3 coming soon
Unless you were involved in the Birkenhead, U.K., police strike of 1919, you've never actually been read the Riot Act, at least not in an official capacity. Because the act remained in effect for nearly 260 years and was copied by many British colonies, the colloquialism "read the Riot Act" is still used widely to suggest a serious scolding. Germany was never a British colony, nor did it institute a copycat act, but if it had, the Mercedes-Benz C63 S AMG would likely make liberal use of it
The Riot Act, ostensibly, was intended to empower local authorities to break up groups of rabble-rousers with force should they fail to disperse after a specific proclamation was made informing them of the invocation of the act. The modern automotive equivalent of such a proclamation would be, quite simply, the C63 revving its angry, snarling, twin-turbo V-8 at the gathered rabble of boosted six-cylinders and an un-boosted V-8 or two. With 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque courtesy of its S Model programming, the C63 S is unquestioningly carrying the biggest stick in the room.
More important, the C63 has the means to back it up. Despite skinny, 265-width tires handling all the power out back, the Michelin Pilot Super Sports grab well enough to sling the 3,936-pound car to 60 mph in 4 seconds flat and through the quarter mile in 12.2 seconds with a 119.5-mph trap speed. In the opposite direction, skinnier 245-width front tires work with carbon-ceramic brakes (front only) to handle most of the stopping, which happens from 60 mph in 101 feet.
That kind of performance puts it within spitting distance of the beloved C63 AMG Black Series, a car so good it came in second at our 2012 Best Driver's Car competition. The Black Series and its wonderful 510-hp, 457-lb-ft, 6.2-liter V-8 hit 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, ran the quarter in 12.1 seconds at 117.6 mph, and stopped in 99 feet. Though it carried an insignificant weight penalty, the Black Series had the advantage of Dunlop Sport Maxx Race MO near-slick tires size 255 front and 285 rear.
The thing about these modern C63s, though, is they go around corners like never before. The old Black Series was revelatory in its ability to tackle a corner on canyon roads and race tracks alike. It pulled 1.01 g on the skidpad and needed 24.4 seconds to lap our figure eight, pulling 0.84g average in the process. This new car also pulled 1.01 g on the skidpad but clipped three-tenths of a second off the figure-eight lap, doing the deed in 24.1 seconds at 0.86g average. On skinnier tires with more tread and more torque to deal with.
Oh, and this new car is $89,035 as-tested. The Black Series, if you could get one, ran a tick under $110,000. And the new car gets substantially better fuel economy (to the tune of 5 mpg combined) if that weren't enough.
Can you, the driver, tell? You bet. The Black Series was an outlier—no other C63 of the generation, save the almost-but-not-quite-as-good 507 Edition, drove nearly so well. That the new standard C63, which you can buy anywhere and easily order with the S Model enhancements, is so good is a testament to how far the car has come in one generation.
On the road, the new C63 responds better to a curve than you'd ever expect. To wit: Jonny Lieberman easily chased me down with the C63 while I was driving the tires off an M3 (spoiler alert: comparison test coming). Earlier in the day, I'd stayed on his bumper when the positions were reversed. Pressuring an M3 on a twisty road is not something the C63 is generally known for, and yet here we are.
If you want the full experience, though, you do need to pop for the S Model. For that eight grand, you pick up the better brakes, extra power, electronically controlled limited-slip differential, and Race mode. You want them. All of them. Naturally, you want the extra power because why not? And if you're going to go faster, you'll want to stop faster. That's all great, but you also want to go around a corner faster, and that's where the other two come in. The limited-slip puts the power down come corner exit, and Race mode lets you drive the car with just a thin safety net should you overdo it. Practically, this means a bit of extra throttle at corner exit will give you a delightful 10 to 20 degrees of easily controlled oversteer.
When you're not goofing off, the C63 is a serious corner carver. The upgraded brakes allow for very late braking with full confidence, and the tight, accurate steering lets you dip into the apex exactly when and where you want to. There was some debate among the staff as to how much feedback the steering was providing, but at least it was there. Likewise, we disagreed about how well the car handled bumps. It's quite good, but I believe it could be a little more compliant, which would reduce the feeling of being right on the car's limit when you're not. I also found it a little too easy to induce understeer in the tightest corners. I'm still not sure why this car doesn't have wider tires.
There were things we all agreed on, too. The transmission got rave reviews for being nearly as good as Porsche's benchmark PDK, always in the right gear and happy to drop a few under hard braking to set you up for the next corner. Like PDK, it obviated the need for the paddles. Conversely, the throttle had us scratching our heads. Driven in anger, it reacted perfectly. Driven softly about town, it suddenly got the dumb. Even in Race mode, it would become immune to input when starting from a stop. More often than not, I'd have to go hard into it just to get the car moving at more than idle speed. Frustrating to say the least.
Quarrelsome throttle aside, the C63 made a strong impression on all of us. Where we were expecting another blunt instrument from AMG, we got a serious all-around performer capable of putting some very solid competition on notice. In fact, it might even be better than that, but you'll have to wait for that comparison test to find out.
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t_test_review/
- Better performance than the W204 C63 Black Series in all metrics
- Updated MCT transmission almost as good as Porsche PDK
- Full comparison test against the M3 coming soon
Unless you were involved in the Birkenhead, U.K., police strike of 1919, you've never actually been read the Riot Act, at least not in an official capacity. Because the act remained in effect for nearly 260 years and was copied by many British colonies, the colloquialism "read the Riot Act" is still used widely to suggest a serious scolding. Germany was never a British colony, nor did it institute a copycat act, but if it had, the Mercedes-Benz C63 S AMG would likely make liberal use of it
The Riot Act, ostensibly, was intended to empower local authorities to break up groups of rabble-rousers with force should they fail to disperse after a specific proclamation was made informing them of the invocation of the act. The modern automotive equivalent of such a proclamation would be, quite simply, the C63 revving its angry, snarling, twin-turbo V-8 at the gathered rabble of boosted six-cylinders and an un-boosted V-8 or two. With 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque courtesy of its S Model programming, the C63 S is unquestioningly carrying the biggest stick in the room.
More important, the C63 has the means to back it up. Despite skinny, 265-width tires handling all the power out back, the Michelin Pilot Super Sports grab well enough to sling the 3,936-pound car to 60 mph in 4 seconds flat and through the quarter mile in 12.2 seconds with a 119.5-mph trap speed. In the opposite direction, skinnier 245-width front tires work with carbon-ceramic brakes (front only) to handle most of the stopping, which happens from 60 mph in 101 feet.
That kind of performance puts it within spitting distance of the beloved C63 AMG Black Series, a car so good it came in second at our 2012 Best Driver's Car competition. The Black Series and its wonderful 510-hp, 457-lb-ft, 6.2-liter V-8 hit 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, ran the quarter in 12.1 seconds at 117.6 mph, and stopped in 99 feet. Though it carried an insignificant weight penalty, the Black Series had the advantage of Dunlop Sport Maxx Race MO near-slick tires size 255 front and 285 rear.
The thing about these modern C63s, though, is they go around corners like never before. The old Black Series was revelatory in its ability to tackle a corner on canyon roads and race tracks alike. It pulled 1.01 g on the skidpad and needed 24.4 seconds to lap our figure eight, pulling 0.84g average in the process. This new car also pulled 1.01 g on the skidpad but clipped three-tenths of a second off the figure-eight lap, doing the deed in 24.1 seconds at 0.86g average. On skinnier tires with more tread and more torque to deal with.
Oh, and this new car is $89,035 as-tested. The Black Series, if you could get one, ran a tick under $110,000. And the new car gets substantially better fuel economy (to the tune of 5 mpg combined) if that weren't enough.
Can you, the driver, tell? You bet. The Black Series was an outlier—no other C63 of the generation, save the almost-but-not-quite-as-good 507 Edition, drove nearly so well. That the new standard C63, which you can buy anywhere and easily order with the S Model enhancements, is so good is a testament to how far the car has come in one generation.
On the road, the new C63 responds better to a curve than you'd ever expect. To wit: Jonny Lieberman easily chased me down with the C63 while I was driving the tires off an M3 (spoiler alert: comparison test coming). Earlier in the day, I'd stayed on his bumper when the positions were reversed. Pressuring an M3 on a twisty road is not something the C63 is generally known for, and yet here we are.
If you want the full experience, though, you do need to pop for the S Model. For that eight grand, you pick up the better brakes, extra power, electronically controlled limited-slip differential, and Race mode. You want them. All of them. Naturally, you want the extra power because why not? And if you're going to go faster, you'll want to stop faster. That's all great, but you also want to go around a corner faster, and that's where the other two come in. The limited-slip puts the power down come corner exit, and Race mode lets you drive the car with just a thin safety net should you overdo it. Practically, this means a bit of extra throttle at corner exit will give you a delightful 10 to 20 degrees of easily controlled oversteer.
When you're not goofing off, the C63 is a serious corner carver. The upgraded brakes allow for very late braking with full confidence, and the tight, accurate steering lets you dip into the apex exactly when and where you want to. There was some debate among the staff as to how much feedback the steering was providing, but at least it was there. Likewise, we disagreed about how well the car handled bumps. It's quite good, but I believe it could be a little more compliant, which would reduce the feeling of being right on the car's limit when you're not. I also found it a little too easy to induce understeer in the tightest corners. I'm still not sure why this car doesn't have wider tires.
There were things we all agreed on, too. The transmission got rave reviews for being nearly as good as Porsche's benchmark PDK, always in the right gear and happy to drop a few under hard braking to set you up for the next corner. Like PDK, it obviated the need for the paddles. Conversely, the throttle had us scratching our heads. Driven in anger, it reacted perfectly. Driven softly about town, it suddenly got the dumb. Even in Race mode, it would become immune to input when starting from a stop. More often than not, I'd have to go hard into it just to get the car moving at more than idle speed. Frustrating to say the least.
Quarrelsome throttle aside, the C63 made a strong impression on all of us. Where we were expecting another blunt instrument from AMG, we got a serious all-around performer capable of putting some very solid competition on notice. In fact, it might even be better than that, but you'll have to wait for that comparison test to find out.
Last edited by AlexZTuned; Jul 28, 2015 at 11:20 AM.
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From: Temecula, CA
2016 C63 S
You beat me to it. I'm looking forward to their comparison test.
What do you all think about the numbers they got?
Here is the link for the non mobile version...
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t_test_review/
What do you all think about the numbers they got?
Here is the link for the non mobile version...
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t_test_review/
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From: SoCal
2016 C63S Sedan
I especially liked this:
On the road, the new C63 responds better to a curve than you'd ever expect. To wit: Jonny Lieberman easily chased me down with the C63 while I was driving the tires off an M3 (spoiler alert: comparison test coming). Earlier in the day, I'd stayed on his bumper when the positions were reversed. Pressuring an M3 on a twisty road is not something the C63 is generally known for, and yet here we are.
Also they liked the trans and eluded to good things it the comparison tests.
On the road, the new C63 responds better to a curve than you'd ever expect. To wit: Jonny Lieberman easily chased me down with the C63 while I was driving the tires off an M3 (spoiler alert: comparison test coming). Earlier in the day, I'd stayed on his bumper when the positions were reversed. Pressuring an M3 on a twisty road is not something the C63 is generally known for, and yet here we are.
Also they liked the trans and eluded to good things it the comparison tests.
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From: UK
Mercedes-Benz 2016 C63S
Awesome write up. Loved the "Pressuring an M3 on a twisty road" as well 
Can't wait for mine to be dropped off.
The comparison between the Black Series and C63S on the 1/4 mile was pretty much identical times, except Black Series show better traction off the line, and C63S shows faster trap speed meaning its hauling back the Black Series, right? So if thats the case and the Black Series is on 285 rears while the C63S is on 265's, there should be better times for the C63 on identical rubber, no?
Anyone know if 285's can go on the C63's without issue? May have to drop from 40 profile to 35/30?
Can't wait for mine to be dropped off.The comparison between the Black Series and C63S on the 1/4 mile was pretty much identical times, except Black Series show better traction off the line, and C63S shows faster trap speed meaning its hauling back the Black Series, right? So if thats the case and the Black Series is on 285 rears while the C63S is on 265's, there should be better times for the C63 on identical rubber, no?
Anyone know if 285's can go on the C63's without issue? May have to drop from 40 profile to 35/30?
Last edited by sabre1978; Jul 29, 2015 at 05:58 AM. Reason: Error on tyre profile figure
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From: Halifax, Canada
2006 BMW 330i, 2009 C63
Awesome write up. Loved the "Pressuring an M3 on a twisty road" as well Can't wait for mine to be dropped off.
The comparison between the Black Series and C63S on the 1/4 mile was pretty much identical times, except Black Series show better traction off the line, and C63S shows faster trap speed meaning its hauling back the Black Series, right? So if thats the case and the Black Series is on 285 rears while the C63S is on 265's, there should be better times for the C63 on identical rubber, no?
Anyone know if 285's can go on the C63's without issue? May have to drop from 40 profile to 35/30?
Can't wait for mine to be dropped off.The comparison between the Black Series and C63S on the 1/4 mile was pretty much identical times, except Black Series show better traction off the line, and C63S shows faster trap speed meaning its hauling back the Black Series, right? So if thats the case and the Black Series is on 285 rears while the C63S is on 265's, there should be better times for the C63 on identical rubber, no?
Anyone know if 285's can go on the C63's without issue? May have to drop from 40 profile to 35/30?
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From: Chapel Hill, NC
2015 C63S E1; 2016 C450 AMG
An excellent review, but disappointing that we have not yet seen a 1/4 in the 11s and the trap speed still didn't break 120.
Perhaps in the Head-2-Head or in the Best Driver's Car test we will see yet better numbers.
Perhaps in the Head-2-Head or in the Best Driver's Car test we will see yet better numbers.
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2016 C63S
Thanks for sharing 
It will be interesting to see what happens when we get some more 1/4 mile runs.
JPMBenz was struggling with traction of the line and ran a 12.5 but his trap speed was 119 mph so 120's should be possible with some more rubber in the back or drag radials.
It will be interesting to see what happens when we get some more 1/4 mile runs.
JPMBenz was struggling with traction of the line and ran a 12.5 but his trap speed was 119 mph so 120's should be possible with some more rubber in the back or drag radials.
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From: Chapel Hill, NC
2015 C63S E1; 2016 C450 AMG
I was absolutely expecting 11.8 @ 122 or better. Can this just be a traction issue or is there some other problem? With a weight to power ratio of under 8 lbs per horsepower, this car should be doing better.
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2014 E63S; AMS 100 octane ECU dyno tune; EDOK TCU tune; BB intakes; sprintbooster
Loving my awd amg... Would love to see an awd c63S soon
lets see a c63s with slicks
Last edited by PeterUbers; Jul 29, 2015 at 08:49 PM.
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2015 E63S AMG & 2013 GLK350
Hopefully some people get to the tracks and times improve, it quotes 12.1 at 117.6 for the BS and I can tell you my '13 C63 coupe P31 went 11.91 at 118.4 when it was completely stock.
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15 AMG C63S ED1
For me, there's nothing disappointing about this car. Although I do wish that it had wider tires since my last few sports cars were wider than 265s. It pulls quick enough off the line to make me think it has electric motors assisting it.
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C63 507 AMG DA Car #19
There's a learning curve on any new platform...... the c5 z06 was car mag tested in mid 12's..... and this guy ranger ran high 11's stock with alot of practice on street tires.
This will be interesting.
This will be interesting.
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996TT
I suppose if drag numbers is all one cares about.
For me, there's nothing disappointing about this car. Although I do wish that it had wider tires since my last few sports cars were wider than 265s. It pulls quick enough off the line to make me think it has electric motors assisting it.
For me, there's nothing disappointing about this car. Although I do wish that it had wider tires since my last few sports cars were wider than 265s. It pulls quick enough off the line to make me think it has electric motors assisting it.
That's actually funny because I never put a wheel on a 1/4mile track ever. But I did race F2000 and been instructing for BMWCCA for some 10 years. Drag times and speed are useful to estimate a car performance.
I'm disapointed in the performance and I'm sure I'm not alone. This car makes 50rwhp more than the W204 yet is not any quicker.
If you're happy with your car good for you, I'm really happy with mine too. But if I add 50rwhp to my car, and turn no quicker times, I'd be pissed. And the W205 tires are actually wider than the 255 of the W204 so no excuses there.
Might just be a bad day for the driver or the track, but there seems to be a pattern in all the recent instrumented tests... the new car ain't quicker. However the aftermarket has a lot more headroom with the turbos so with reflashes/downpipes and other modification, this will be a quicker car than the old one in no time. Just expected more out of the box.
I'll go tune the carburators on my Roadrunner now, you know, as I live my life a 1/4 mile at a time.
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From: East Coast
15 AMG C63S ED1
If drag numbers is all one care about?
That's actually funny because I never put a wheel on a 1/4mile track ever. But I did race F2000 and been instructing for BMWCCA for some 10 years. Drag times and speed are useful to estimate a car performance.
I'm disapointed in the performance and I'm sure I'm not alone. This car makes 50rwhp more than the W204 yet is not any quicker.
If you're happy with your car good for you, I'm really happy with mine too. But if I add 50rwhp to my car, and turn no quicker times, I'd be pissed. And the W205 tires are actually wider than the 255 of the W204 so no excuses there.
Might just be a bad day for the driver or the track, but there seems to be a pattern in all the recent instrumented tests... the new car ain't quicker. However the aftermarket has a lot more headroom with the turbos so with reflashes/downpipes and other modification, this will be a quicker car than the old one in no time. Just expected more out of the box.
I'll go tune the carburators on my Roadrunner now, you know, as I live my life a 1/4 mile at a time.
That's actually funny because I never put a wheel on a 1/4mile track ever. But I did race F2000 and been instructing for BMWCCA for some 10 years. Drag times and speed are useful to estimate a car performance.
I'm disapointed in the performance and I'm sure I'm not alone. This car makes 50rwhp more than the W204 yet is not any quicker.
If you're happy with your car good for you, I'm really happy with mine too. But if I add 50rwhp to my car, and turn no quicker times, I'd be pissed. And the W205 tires are actually wider than the 255 of the W204 so no excuses there.
Might just be a bad day for the driver or the track, but there seems to be a pattern in all the recent instrumented tests... the new car ain't quicker. However the aftermarket has a lot more headroom with the turbos so with reflashes/downpipes and other modification, this will be a quicker car than the old one in no time. Just expected more out of the box.
I'll go tune the carburators on my Roadrunner now, you know, as I live my life a 1/4 mile at a time.
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2015 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG S Edition 1, 1995 Ferrari F355, 2004 Mini Cooper JCW MC 40, 1967 MGB
The car Motortrend used obviously did not have the updated tranny software when they say
"Driven in anger, it reacted perfectly. Driven softly about town, it suddenly got the dumb. Even in Race mode, it would become immune to input when starting from a stop."
Yes, the car was doing this before the early July software update. Now the car does not have this problem.
"Driven in anger, it reacted perfectly. Driven softly about town, it suddenly got the dumb. Even in Race mode, it would become immune to input when starting from a stop."
Yes, the car was doing this before the early July software update. Now the car does not have this problem.
