Sunday 1st March 2015

Circle them wagons: PH Blog

Why C63 wagon beats saloon but still isn't the best AMG hold-all around

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Copy filed for the C63 AMG roadtest I set off on day two of the launch event in the C450 AMG Sport estate playing, according to AMG's presentation, Robin to the C63's Batman. No, nor me.

Batman and Robin thing possibly lost in translation

More on the C450 in due course but, as arranged, half way round the route I met up with Henry from Evo and swapped back into the rather lovely C63 S wagon I'd had the previous day. Reflecting on my review I began wondering if I'd downplayed the C63's monstrous pace somewhat. Even coming straight from the 367hp C450 it felt borderline unhinged, the fact I had the car to myself permitting a more, ah, enthusiastic pace.

No secret I love an AMG wagon, my heart very much with the Edition 507 long-termer I handed back with tear stained cheeks. And rear tyres down to the canvas. And to these eyes the new-age '63 works a lot better as an estate. It may be carrying a few extra pounds over the saloon but, frankly, with 510hp and 516lb ft in S trim, who's counting. And I'd swear the open estate cabin acts as a resonator for the exhaust noise, which can only be a good thing.

A chat with AMG's V8 engine man was interesting too. I asked him if his background was oily hands or computer keyboard. He was proud to say it was the former. And what of his colleagues; AMG boasts that around 700 of its circa 1,100 workforce are engineers. But what's the split between mechanical and software experts these days? "Very good question," he winced, before explaining it requires different skills but he enjoys the fact his job involves building physical components the computer whizzes can then configure to their needs.

Dan's family wagon on a slight track diversion

A theme picked up by AMG boss Tobias Moers over dinner. Given the variables of adjustable cam timing, boost and fuelling they could make this new M177 engine behave any way they wanted, be a low-end diesel-like slugger or laggy high-rev screamer. Tap-tap-tap on the keyboard - done. But thumping his fist on the table to emphasise the point Moers makes it clear all this tuneability is geared to one result - making the turbo engine feel and sound like the normally aspirated 6.2 of old.

Back to that wagon. Driven harder the engine revealed more about its character. Third gear really covers most bases on a twisty road, the low end punch night and day potent compared to the old V8 yet carrying enough top end to the next corner to make a shift up to fourth redundant. At the very extremes there is just a hint of rather exciting sounding turbo whistle, providing a nice accompaniment to the bass-heavy exhaust note. And the thing just flies.

Wagon is definitely the cooler option

An RS4 Avant would be the obvious alternative and, at £56,545, usefully cheaper than the £60,995 asked for the non-S C63 estate. Arguably more stylish and with that screaming 8K-plus top-end it's appealing up until you look at the 317lb ft torque figure. Yes, 199lb ft less than the '63 S! Skins of rice puddings have, relatively, little to fear from the Audi.

All of which adds up to the 63 S wagon being my pick of the bunch of V8 uber estates. But with the keys to this or my old 507 I'm afraid I'd still take the latter. Why? Here it gets personal. I realise the new car has a more mainstream audience to play to and does it incredibly well. But I miss the undiluted aggression of the old one, aesthetically as well as on the road. Its steering was burly, the passively damped chassis unapologetic but brilliantly judged and the diff super assertive in lock-up and willingness to dictate the angle of attack. If such things intimidate mainstream customers it didn't seem to bother the near-40,000 buyers who made the W204 C63 AMG's biggest seller ever.

I understand completely why technology has been embraced to let the new car play to a bigger audience. But I still know where my money would go.

Dan

C63 wagon - the new school

C63 wagon - the old school

[pardonmyenglish]

Am the only one hating those artifical exhaust explosions?
I found them vulgar and chavvy.
Beautiful sounds are about harmonics not randomized sound artifacts.