Tuesday 13th January 2015

Mercedes C450 AMG Sport announced

'Emotionally inspiring' C450 sits beneath the C63 with 367hp and four-wheel drive

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When a 'big' fast saloon apparently needs 550hp to be competitive and a 'small' one at least 400, a new Mercedes AMG product with 367 initially doesn't seem that significant. Daft, isn't it? Especially so given the new Mercedes C450 AMG Sport actually makes the same power as the AMG flagship of the generation before last.

Subtle and fast in the best AMG tradition

That was the W203 generation C55 AMG, the return to V8 power after the flirtation with the supercharged V6 in the C32. Now the AMG-lite product matches it at 270kw, 367hp or 362bhp. The method for creating that power could hardly be more different a decade on though: where the C55's V8 was so big the front end has to be extended to fit, the C450's twin-turbo V6 is just three litres in capacity and officially returns 37.1mpg and 178g/km.

Noise is of course a large part of the AMG appeal, a new sports exhaust featuring in the C450 to cater for that. You must also know about the gearchange too; in the words of AMG: "Partial cylinder suppression during gear changes by means of a momentary and precisely defined retardation of ignition and injection under full throttle speeds up the gear changes, and can also be acoustically experienced by the driver." Right. So it will bang on upchanges.

All C450s will have 4Matic all-wheel drive and be available as either saloon or estate. As is now the AMG way, a host of Dynamic Select driving modes (Eco to Individual via Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus) will control the parameters of that engine and the seven-speed auto, plus the AMG Ride Control suspension and the electromechanical steering.

367hp, 384lb ft and five secs to 62 - nice!

Despite its place in the hierarchy below the C63, the C450 doesn't go without its share of bespoke AMG features. The three-stage dampers are actually from the V8 car, there's more negative camber on both axles, a stiffer body shell and more rigid elastokinematics. The steering has an AMG-specific ratio with "optimised tuning and response." Encouragingly for those who enjoy a traditional AMG handling approach, the front to rear torque split is 33:67.

Visual identifiers for the AMG Sport include the unique alloy wheels, a new front bumper and the de rigeuer rear diffuser. Looks quite smart from here, Mercedes clearly keen to promote the wagon with no saloon pics as yet. A range of wheel and interior upgrades are available if this is a little too discreet.

The C450 AMG Sport will go on sale this summer, the price TBC nearer the time. The Audi S4 would seem the most logical rival for the C450, albeit an older design with less power. That costs from £40K. And if you want a 367hp Mercedes AMG estate, how about this old C55? Ditch the wheels and tints and it could be a good'n. There's a nice saloon available too if you'd prefer. Twin test anyone?

 

 

[devnull]

Comes within the fuel card limit for work (3l or under). Count me in!

[soad]

Audi A4/S4 and BMW 4 series rival has arrived.

[Krikkit]

Looks pretty damn good to me - I reckon the new-gen Merc saloon/estates are a handsome bunch now they've unified the design from C through to S-class. Sounds like a good balance of power and usability in that one too, 30mpg achievable, but very respectable pace too.

[MrBarry123]

What a great idea by Mercedes.

Quick - yep
Estate - yep
Petrol yet relatively economical i.e. 30mpg attainable on the motorway - yep
AWD - yep
Bespoke enough to feel special compared with the more common models - yep

100% fabulous.

Can't help think that they've killed off some C-Class AMG business with this though...

[FastRich]

I like this - really like it. There's a gap in the (Merc) market for this and a bigger gap in the 4wd 'ordinary car' market. BMW and Merc are finally stepping up to the Audi plate.

That said, 4wd should be an option rather than mandatory, IMO.

But I can't help but feel it'd be embarrassing at a set of lights when a full fat AMG pulls up along side.

Bit like the S4/RS4. Buy the underdog and whilst it's brilliant, I'm not sure I'd be entirely pleased knowing there's a faster version available.

That's not to detract though, it's a lovely looking car.

[Cotic]

I'm not normally taken by Mercs, but this I like a lot! Quite a sleeper...

[PhantomPH]

(Hopefully) my next car. Already registered interest with my local dealer, so it will be interesting to see final saloon prices and launch date.

[Dinoboy]

Like the look of this, AMG performance and I don't need an oil tanker following me.

[charliedb2]

Looks good, I had just about worked out the man maths to commit to the new c63 estate. This gives my sensible side (the one that bought an s4 instead of an rs4) a credible get out clause. It will be interesting to see once its specced up to a good level what the £££ difference is. s4 to rs4 was £20k so I would guess around that mark.

[DanG355]

First V8 C-Class the C55?? What about the C43 AMG?

Now corrected - thanks. Small detail but the C43 was a great car (until you have to change the plugs...)

Edited by DanG355 on Tuesday 13th January 15:37

[charliedb2]

Looks good, I had just about worked out the man maths to commit to the new c63 estate. This gives my sensible side (the one that bought an s4 instead of an rs4) a credible get out clause. It will be interesting to see once its specced up to a good level what the £££ difference is. s4 to rs4 was £20k so I would guess around that mark.

[loudlashadjuster]

And here was me bemoaning the fact that M-B wouldn't sell me a fast petrol that wasn't a full-fat AMG. Same engine in an E-Class, please!

Maybe they are listening to me after all?

[Emley]

It still has the stupid tablet appendage stuck on the otherwise lovely fascia.

Tempting package, but until the tablet goes, I'm out...

Edited by Emley on Tuesday 13th January 14:36

[Axionknight]

It's pretty cool. But I'd rather have the Volvo V60 Polestar, even if it is likely to be a touch dearer - that comes fully loaded though, so no need for options.

I do like this though, props to Merc!

[philmots]

Hope these are popular now and hugely not popular in 5-8 years so I can pick one up for sensible money!

Rumour has it the new 340i is 365hp so they'll be close.

[SimonD]

Is this actually confirmed as coming to the UK?

When I spoke to MB CS a little while ago via email pointing out that it was silly that other petrol engined C classes that were available in Europe but not in the UK they said they have no plans to bring anything else to the UK... (and these were all 2.0l cars that were just in a different state of tune)

[scherzkeks]

Very nice, but given how these estates are used, a powerful diesel would seem a better choice as an all-rounder. Can still tack on the AMG pack.

[SimonD]

scherzkeks said:

Very nice, but given how these estates are used, a powerful diesel would seem a better choice as an all-rounder. Can still tack on the AMG pack.

Not everyone wants or has the need for a diesel. Some of us do mileage more befitting of a petrol you know!

[dobinn]

Looks great!

[Sampaio]

scherzkeks said:

Very nice, but given how these estates are used, a powerful diesel would seem a better choice as an all-rounder. Can still tack on the AMG pack.

If I was in the market for an estate and wanted something interesting I'd have to choose between powerful diesel or full-fat AMG. The AMG would probably be a little too much for everyday use and the powerful diesel would be just that, a very efficient fast estate.

But this car combines a more interesting powertrain with "normal car" comfort levels, which I think is a great sweet spot, like the S4 has been.