Here’s a first glimpse of the third and final participant in the ‘Great German Small Super Saloon War’ – the Mercedes Benz C63 AMG.
The baby Merc saloon was launched earlier this year and has been expected to inherit the ‘63’ series V8 engine, creating an AMG rival to the Audi RS4 and the forthcoming new BMW M3. All three protagonists will then feature V8 power for the first time in the class.
As can be seen from the photos, the C63 has the usual quad tailpipe arrangement associated with AMG cars, and the ‘63’ badge is also visible.
Despite the name tag, the V8 is actually closer in capacity to 6,200cc than 6,300cc. The unit is AMG’s first unique engine design, and has now appeared in the revised E-Class, the new ML, the CL and S Class plus the CLS. Perhaps most unlikely is its fitment to the R63 to create perhaps the fastest MPV of all time – RenaultSport Espace F1 not withstanding...
So far, AMG has varied the engine’s output depending on the model it is being fitted into. At its weakest it knocks out 503bhp for the E63, and at its strongest it makes 518bhp for the S63 and CL63 models. With Audi and BMW locked in a war of power based around the 420bhp mark, the new C63 should have a considerable power advantage, even if AMG decide to detune the engine.
Enjoying a power advantage in the class is nothing new for Mercedes though – the previous C55 AMG cranked out 372bhp, easily eclipsing the previous generation BMW M3.
How much power is enough? 500bhp?
Whether AMG will be able to make the new C63 any more of a drivers’ car is open to debate. Certainly the new C Class is a more agile and enjoyable car to drive – especially in Sport trim – than the previous C class, although still not as rewarding as a similar specification BMW Three Series. AMG is showing an increasing tendency towards hardcore performance and has stated its intention to refocus its efforts on core products (no more R63s then…).
Perhaps this will be a C Class that finally delivers real driving thrills as well as unfeasibly large amounts of power, although it will certainly have a seven-speed automatic gearbox as the only transmission option.
Still, this is a ‘small’ executive saloon with a 6.2 litre V8 and nearly 500bhp. We like that – a lot – but the question is: where will this power race end?
pictures via: Left Lane News