Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe - official!

The C-Class Coupe PH is really interested in shows its face ahead of Frankfurt

Now we're talking. Much though the four-cylinder C-Class Coupes are the cars Mercedes will sell the most of, they will never be the most thrilling vehicles. A C-Class Coupe with an AMG badge very much should be though, and here's the first chance to pore through the details.

Nobody say GLE Coupe here

With so much shared mechanically between the two-door and four-door C63s, it makes sense to begin at the biggest point of difference - the looks. While certainly the most imposing of the three bodystyles, the coupe remains fairly subdued as 500hp V8 coupes go. Certainly compared with the brooding aggression of an M4 or the wild edginess of the RC F the C63 isn't that bold but arguably that's never been the C63's way. There's the Black Series for that anyway...

Over a normal C-Class Coupe, the AMG body is 64mm wider and the front and 66mm at the rear to house an unspecified gain in track widths. Arches look good, don't they? The "fascinating design" continues with powerdomes on the larger bonnet, a reprofiled front end including splitter and new side skirts. Naturally the rear features a diffuser and four exhausts, plus a spoiler "in the form of a sharp blade." AMG says it significantly reduces lift without specifying an exact downforce figure.

Spun it this way on a straight? Good work!

Tweaks over the saloon and estate that can't be seen include a "completely newly developed" rear axle with new carriers, stiff elastokinematic tuning more negative camber. The wider front track combines with unique steering knuckles to improve turn in. Interestingly though the Coupe weighs as much as the Estate at 1,785kg for the C63 and 1,800kg for the C63 S. That's weighed with a 90 per cent full tank and 75kg driver, the additional body strengthening probably contributing to the gain over the 1,715/1,730kg saloons. Despite this faster acceleration times are claimed, the 476hp C63 Coupe officially posting 4.0 seconds to 62mph and the 510hp S 3.9, each a tenth ahead of the four-door.

Elsewhere the 63 Coupe is much as the saloon and wagon: dynamic engine mounts on the S, AMG Dynamic Select to alter driving modes, many assists depending on how tiring/overwhelming/wayward 510hp has become and an interior people must comment on. It will be shown alongside the normal C-Class Coupes at Frankfurt, with prices due soon after and sales commencing in 2016. Bring on the M4!

Watch the launch video here.