First Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe test is here. Mercedes wants to rule the sports car arena with the sportiest AMG model in the C-Class range, the new C 63 Coupe. Let’s see how the racer plays in Auto Motor und Sport’s review.
“It runs,” says AMG boss Tobias Moers, “full steam, at the same level as the Black Series edition of the predecessor series C204”. By this he means similar lap times on the Nordschleife. Indeed, the new C 63 S should finish the famous loop in less than 7:40 minutes straight. After the first practice rounds, however, this statement is probably pretty pessimistic.
The mighty twin-turbo V8 with four liters of displacement and 510 hp on tap is definitely the jewel of the new AMG pride and joy, but the elaborate rear axle, fundamentally different from that of the C 63 sedan, is also worth of all our praise.
New axle, new bushings and arms, stiffer elastokinematics, standard electronic locking differential – the rear axle is virtually an all-new design. And because of the wider track, the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupe comes with an equally wider rear. The chubby cheeks are not retrofitted, but factory made in the body shop from specially pressed sheet metal parts. They are the C 63 Coupe’s unquestionable strongest point in therms of design.
Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupé: Pure fun
Much nicer is the fact that the broad rear axle not only looks beautiful, but also brings a more beautiful driving experience. This can be said after a few practice rounds at the Ascari Race Resort. Surprisingly,sheer speed does not leave the greatest impression. Of course, the V8 pushes like a cat running straight out of Hell, and the Speedshift gearbox hastily imposes the next speed transition – the broad, well-developed route is narrow at one time and the lines very short.
Very neutral and equally composed, the coupe is lightning fast in corners, steers clean and simply refuses to understeer – to do so it must be forced accordingly. The steering is not too light and delivers reliable grip messages to the driver, reacting so accurately, so fast that little rear panning can be detected even at full throttle.
It all fits the old school sports car bill, especially when the optional composite brakes are (4,998 euros) and the Performance seats are on board for the ride. The sportiest C-Class of all time? Maybe. The hottest? Certainly.
Source: Auto-motor-und-sport.de
