Like when it was announced that the current generation Toyota Supra would be powered by a BMW engine, the motoring fraternity went into a furore. Comments of betrayal and a loss of tradition were some of the exclamations thrown around.
The Mercedes-AMG C 63 nameplate has long been synonymous with high-performance and boasting big numbers from naturally-aspirated V8 and bi-turbo V8 configurations. Now, the tide has turned to that of similar emotions evoked by the BMW/Toyota alliance with fans from Affalterbach and the brand-new Mercedes-AMG C 63 S.
So why the massive hullaballoo about the (W206)C 63? Simply put, the German automaker has cut the cylinders in half and the displacement - going from a V8 to a four-cylinder and then also from a 4.0-litre to a 2.0-litre. So basically, it's 'no longer' a C 63 - well, atleast underneath the bonnet anyway.
Good and 'bad'
On the other side of the coin, the new turbocharged 2.0-litre at the front is currently the world's most powerful four-cylinder engine with figures of 350kW and 545Nm. It is also the world's first production engine to be turbocharged with an electric exhaust gas turbocharger. This innovative system is derived directly from the technology that the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team uses.
The electric motor on the rear axle adds an extra 150kW and 320Nm for a total system output of 500kW and 1 020Nm, with power sent to all four wheels via an AMG SpeedShift MCT 9G transmission. In terms of performance, it does the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.4-seconds and accelerates to an electronically governed top speed of 280km/h. In addition, the hybrid electric power now increases the overall weight to a massive 2 111kg - up from 1 730kg.
The Mercedes-AMG C 63 nameplate has long been synonymous with high-performance and boasting big numbers from naturally-aspirated V8 and bi-turbo V8 configurations. Now, the tide has turned to that of similar emotions evoked by the BMW/Toyota alliance with fans from Affalterbach and the brand-new Mercedes-AMG C 63 S.
So why the massive hullaballoo about the (W206)C 63? Simply put, the German automaker has cut the cylinders in half and the displacement - going from a V8 to a four-cylinder and then also from a 4.0-litre to a 2.0-litre. So basically, it's 'no longer' a C 63 - well, atleast underneath the bonnet anyway.
Good and 'bad'
On the other side of the coin, the new turbocharged 2.0-litre at the front is currently the world's most powerful four-cylinder engine with figures of 350kW and 545Nm. It is also the world's first production engine to be turbocharged with an electric exhaust gas turbocharger. This innovative system is derived directly from the technology that the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team uses.
The electric motor on the rear axle adds an extra 150kW and 320Nm for a total system output of 500kW and 1 020Nm, with power sent to all four wheels via an AMG SpeedShift MCT 9G transmission. In terms of performance, it does the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.4-seconds and accelerates to an electronically governed top speed of 280km/h. In addition, the hybrid electric power now increases the overall weight to a massive 2 111kg - up from 1 730kg.
Of course, it is human nature to make a big deal about something when they haven't experienced it for themselves. So there will likely be plenty of rave reviews written about how the car actually performs with life after eight cylinders. Philipp Schiemer, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-AMG, says the C 63 is a real game changer and will also appeal to a new group of customers.
In the minds of many, the C 63 S has lost its prestige because Volkswagen's Golf R or Audi's RS3 won't feel out of place next to it, seeing as though they all use similar-sized engines now. For Mercedes-Benz to have 'watered down' one of their most iconic performance models is a testament to the stricter emissions restrictions being put in place - a sign of the times, one can call it. Try telling that to ardent enthusiasts and those that have become accustomed to hearing the iconic V8 tune.
The new model suddenly makes the outgoing W205 a high-value item, because it simply is the last of its kind, and current owners won't be selling them for cheap (or at all), that's for sure. Will the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance be coming to South Africa? Yes. It is expected to touch down in the first half of 2023.
Now that you've got the knowledge, it's time to shop! Head to gumtree.co.za or your Gumtree app (click for Apple & Android), and don't forget to use your location settings to find local service information close to home.
