RE: New 2.0-litre Mercedes-AMG C63 officially unveiled

[TyrannosauRoss Lex]

borat52 said:

Basically a 700bhp 4wd C class. I'm usually negative about hybrids but this one looks awesome.

A Nissan GTR and 911 Turbo are around 1800KG, this is a bit more but I think it could be incredible.

Bet the W204 (of which I am an owner) wouldn't see which way one of these went.

Both cars which are deeply impressive, but cars which have often been described as "soulless".

An extra 300+kgs is also a lot. It'll go like stink and perform better than the weight would suggest, but that doesn't mean it'll be characterful. Ironically, I'd happily have the M3 or RS4 over this. Both more than fast enough.

[FlukePlay]

Derventio said:

How many folk have just read this then immediately gone on to Autotrader to see what you can get a V8 C63 for?

I did.....

I kind of went the other way, I started to look at C300 Diesel estates...and liked what I saw

Am I misguided?

[biggbn]

BS62 said:

Funny you mention the Datsun GTR, this Merc falls into the same category: "Should love this but...meh."

I'd have the GTR over any of its competitors. A strangely old fashioned analogue car for what was once a tech festival, and brutal feeling.

[borat52]

biggbn said:

I'd have the GTR over any of its competitors. A strangely old fashioned analogue car for what was once a tech festival, and brutal feeling.

Agree, anyone who terms a GTR soulless is either very hardcore or hasn't driven one round. I still miss my last one like crazy. I'm quite an old fashioned so and so as well, my other cars are a TVR, Rocketeer MX5, GC8 Impreza and W204 C63 and I absolutely think the GTR is a brilliant drivers car, it's far more of a drivers car than the W204 imho which although serves as a great daily is very disappointing dynamically.

[NJJ]

Perfectly highlights the issue with the end days of ICE: ever more complexity, weight and with an engine that's basically just a soulless device. AMG would have done better to just embrace full electrification instead and gone from V8s into full electrification. Would have provided some real differentiation from BMW M too and perhaps allowed them to keep back some hero petrol engines for special editions etc.

[DonkeyApple]

NJJ said:

Perfectly highlights the issue with the end days of ICE: ever more complexity, weight and with an engine that's basically just a soulless device. AMG would have done better to just embrace full electrification instead and gone from V8s into full electrification. Would have provided some real differentiation from BMW M too and perhaps allowed them to keep back some hero petrol engines for special editions etc.

I do agree, having mooted similar above, however, I suspect that Merc know that in the markets where this will sell the most base models due to its existence the clientele have no such reservations.

[JonnyVTEC]

Its interesting cos I dont recall seeing the weight benefit being a huge discussion point of merit when the C63 went from 6.2 to 4.0 V8, more that the car had lost its character

[Roma101]

I initially liked the look and sound of this (as a car, not the actual sound, as I haven’t heard it obviously). But then I learned it is over 2.1 tonnes! Is this really the right direction to be going in?

[Maxus]

We'll have to wait for the driving reviews to have some guidance on whether this works or not. Is it the best or worst of both worlds?

BMW have at least offered a last ICE hurrah in the M3 as well as an electric option in the i4 M50.

I do like the look of the Merc though and they are nice inside.

[DonkeyApple]

Roma101 said:

I initially liked the look and sound of this (as a car, not the actual sound, as I haven’t heard it obviously). But then I learned it is over 2.1 tonnes! Is this really the right direction to be going in?

It's an odd move. I seem to recall the last NA C63 was about 1700kg which seemed fair for what is not exactly a big estate car but with a silly sized engine and lots of added comfort.

Those last NA cars drive pretty well and we're certainly fun and a simply spectacular soundtrack.

I'm sure this car will be much better, certainly much quicker at brief moments in time but it's a huge weight uplift for a small, entry size estate with a 4 pot and a tiny battery.

My guess is that it will sell well but once these start to get old they could be a mare to run.

[jason61c]

BS62 said:

Funny you mention the Datsun GTR, this Merc falls into the same category: "Should love this but...meh."

its funny you call it a Datsun GTR. gives a real insight to the type of person you are.

since when is a 680bhp c class car 'meh'.

[unpc]

Brave pill shoe in, in just a few short years. Who would want something this complex out of warranty?

And modern Mercedes interiors......

[Arsecati]

unlikelymechanic said:

Said nobody ever!

You've never ridden a motorbike then?

Or attended a rally (forest or tarmac - either is good)?

Watched a swarm of Caterhams, Arials, Ginettas or Radicals tear around on a track day?

You need a bit more educating my friend, so as to learn and appreciate all the joys an ICE has the potential to deliver, regardless of its configuration. 200bhp V-Twin anyone?

[phil1979]

Sadly, as a previous owner of this, I can't get excited by the new one, impressive as it sounds.

I wanted the V8 for the sense of occasion, not for how fast it was. If it was all about dynamics, I would have bought an M3.

[Dave Hedgehog]

any news on the price? ill guess 80K + options

[otolith]

JonnyVTEC said:

Its interesting cos I dont recall seeing the weight benefit being a huge discussion point of merit when the C63 went from 6.2 to 4.0 V8, more that the car had lost its character

Wasn't there only about 15kg difference?

[cerb4.5lee]

unpc said:

And modern Mercedes interiors......

I personally like modern Mercedes interiors. Whenever I get in a modern BMW...I always feel like I've gone back in time 20 years in comparison!

Different cars for different tastes I guess.

[biggbn]

jason61c said:

BS62 said:

Funny you mention the Datsun GTR, this Merc falls into the same category: "Should love this but...meh."

its funny you call it a Datsun GTR. gives a real insight to the type of person you are.

since when is a 680bhp c class car 'meh'.

I let that bit slide, it's the same as educated people who say footballist or golf bats and attempt to be cool by professing not to know anything about sports. Copying Clarkson is what the condition is called

[unlikelymechanic]

Arsecati said:

You've never ridden a motorbike then?

Or attended a rally (forest or tarmac - either is good)?

Watched a swarm of Caterhams, Arials, Ginettas or Radicals tear around on a track day?

You need a bit more educating my friend, so as to learn and appreciate all the joys an ICE has the potential to deliver, regardless of its configuration. 200bhp V-Twin anyone?

Fair enough in hindsight I shot from the hip a bit with that statement and could have chosen my words more carefully!

I agree there were a lot of production cars pre 2000 with excellent sounding 4’s as well as a lot of current track biased cars and bikes etc

But as for current production cars most 4 cylinders need fake noises or pops and bangs to sound interesting. Doubt anyone has bought a 2.0 jag f type over a V6 or V8 because they prefer the noise for example!

Suppose I am biased having fitted a rocketeer V6 into my 1990 MX5!

[ChrisRS4]

As a former W204 C63 owner this thing just doesn't shizzle my nizzle.

The beauty of the W204 (apart from the obvious M156) was the simplicity, no modes, no faff, just turn on, plant your foot and go.