Thursday 6th September 2007

C63 AMG Estate

The Estate version of Benz's performance C-Class

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In a week of fast estates we give you the new C63 AMG.

The monster C has a hand- built naturally-aspirated 6.2 litre V8 pushing out 451bhp at 6,800rpm and 443lb ft of torque at 5,000rpm. This translates to a 0-62mph time of 4.5 seconds. The usual German speed limiter stops play 155mph. To put that into context, the AMG DTM race car delivers 464bhp.

Following AMG tradition this car is available with an automatic gearbox in the form of AMG's Speedshift Plus 7G- TRONIC, with paddle shift. This 'box allows the engine to blip the throttle on downshifts to match revs meaning smoother changes- a first for AMG models.

Other features include speed sentsitive steering, also engineered by AMG, 3 stage AMG suspension and an all new three-link front axle giving a 35mm wider track than the standard car. The ESP can also be switched off, and AMG tells us that this mode really does turn all electronic aids off completely- which is nice.

Priced at around £50,000, it certainly seems a lot of car for the money.

 

[Garlick]

God I love that car soooo much.

G

[thebluebus]

Leaving aside issues of power-wars, styling and sense, that does seem quite a bargain.

[Mattygooner]

Looks ok, not quite the new RS6 in terms of style. They seemed to have turned down the crazy torque button.

I prefer the slightly Wolf in sheeps clothing of BMW and Audi, this looks alittle to agressive.

[m4rky77]

Another silly uberwagon !!!

[andymg]

• Cough* It's 'sensitive' *Cough*

[Parrot of Doom]

Nice looking car, shame about the shit wheels though. Mercs just don't suit blingy wheels.

[mechsympathy]

m4rky77 said:

Another silly uberwagon !!!

Great, isn't it

[wab172uk]

Another Merc that has been drawn with the Ugly stick.

[Chris71]

thebluebus said:

Leaving aside issues of power-wars, styling and sense, that does seem quite a bargain.

My thoughts too.

Don't the AMG mercs have a reputation for being as quick as the equivilant BMW or Audi, but lacking the handling finesse though?

[neil_bolton]

wab172uk said:

Another Merc that has been drawn with the Ugly stick.

I don't know - I quite like the new style front ends of the Mercs, and for the first time in a while, I feel the look good again.

Never mind all that power. It just corrupts you know.

[roadie]

Not sure about the "power ridges" but it has an altogether more sensible amount of power compared to the RS6.

[Diverted]

Do they make sick bags for labradors?

[kambites]

Chris71 said:

Don't the AMG mercs have a reputation for being as quick as the equivilant BMW or Audi, but lacking the handling finesse though?

The new C-class is meant to be rather an improvement though. I've certainly seen reviews say that it's better than the new 3-series chassis which, if true, would be a major departure from the norm.

ETA: bleugh, there's still no manual version.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 6th September 13:10

[flattotheboards]

as good as it will be id rather have an rs4 or an m5 i wouldnt be able to live with those looks, it looks awful.

[Road_Terrorist]

Parrot of Doom said:

Nice looking car, shame about the shit wheels though. Mercs just don't suit blingy wheels.

Luckily they are easy to change then!

£50K does seem like pretty damn good value if true, cheaper than the M3 and RS4 and more powerful than both, maybe Mercedes are finally getting their act together.

[g4ry13]

If only they put this engine in the B class, that'd be a car worth buying. Looks like Mercedes aren't willing to compete with BMW and Audi in the power stakes. 6.2 litres and 451bhp - seems a bit modest and could probably easily be upgraded to something more along the lines of the Audi RS6 figures.

[kambites]

g4ry13 said:

Looks like Mercedes aren't willing to compete with BMW and Audi in the power stakes.

But this is a C-class. That's a competitor for the RS4 and the M3 and it's more powerful than both. OK so the engine may not have a massive specific power output but who cares as long as the engine isn't too heavy and it fits.

[eljordo]

wab172uk said:

Another Merc that has been drawn with the Ugly stick.

Anyone who thinks that car is ugly clearly should have gone to specsavers!

[kambites]

eljordo said:

Anyone who thinks that car is ugly clearly should have gone to specsavers!

The front end is a bit fussy and the wheels are too big but it's a far better effort than the current M3. If going on looks alone I'd still take an RS4 though.

Edited by kambites on Thursday 6th September 13:25

[Marki]

Diverted said:

Do they make sick bags for labradors?