Mercedes C450 AMG Sport announced

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

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?