Mercedes-AMG C 63 2019, the one to beat now

At Mercedes-Benz, it is still the cars that always generate the highest volume of sales and the C-Clbad is still at the heart of the phenomenon. While enjoying a slight redesign this year, we had the chance to take the wheel of the most exuberant version, the Mercedes-AMG C 63 2019, which is undoubtedly the most successful racing car of the AMG high performance team. Its general qualities make it a car worth every dollar invested.

For decades, the war has been fierce between sports sedans while all luxury brands are trying to demonstrate their expertise. Historically, it was BMW with its M3 – and now its M4 – which represented the goal to achieve. Mercedes-Benz, however, hit a big blow in 2008 by replacing its C 55 AMG with its first-ever 63 AMG, which showed a whole new level of performance. Ten years later, the C 63 – and its even more powerful derivative, the C 63 S – is truly at the top of its game. BMW just has to stand.

You have to be careful to notice this vintage 2019 since the changes are subtle. The most important are at the front with a new grille that sports vertical chrome slats rather than a horizontal strip as in the past. We find some extra pencil strokes here and there, but what's important to remember is that the C 63 offers a nice balance between sportiness and sobriety.

At a glance, we understand that it's not an ordinary C-Clbad. After all, that's what we look for when we pay for this kind of vehicle. 19-inch wheels, quad exhaust, painted brake calipers, matte bodywork, everything is there. The builder also explodes by proposing arrangements of less conventional colors, for example yellow surpiqures on board – finally a bit of extravagance!

There is also the "S"

In recent years, the V8 The 6.2-liter engine makes room for a smaller displacement engine (4.0 liters), which, thanks to its two turbochargers, raises power to 469 horsepower for 479 lb-ft of torque. That's a lot more than the 425 hp BMW M3 / M4; same thing for the coupe Audi RS5 with its 444 horses. The speedster sets the bar very high, especially considering its price which historically remains advantageous against its rivals.

It's not enough? No problem, the sedan is also delivered in "S" version – the coupes and cabriolets are standard – meaning it is even more bestial since the engineers have pbaded the pressure of the turbochargers from 1.2 to 1.3 bar, allowing the 4.0-liter V8 to reach 503 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque available at 2,000 rpm. In the end, the C 63 S only cuts one-tenth of a second in the sprint 0-100 km / h, but having a racing car of this power is enough to justify why it is desired.

A multisensory experience

When starting the engine, we are delighted by the purring of the V8, which has lost none of its charm since its transition to turbocharging. Our eye is quickly drawn to the AMG sports steering wheel, which includes some new features this year. A rotary control allows you to select different driving modes: hard to resist the Sport + mode or even Racing that lets the engine roar more and transforms the instrumentation to get more performance data.

Initially, in A little familiar with the car, you quickly notice the extreme rigidity of the body and all the details that are at the heart of its performance, including the ultra-precise direction. We quickly become comfortable and then we only want to push the throttle. We find ourselves instantly nailed to the seat while the engine emits a sound to give chills. No rival diffuses this sonority which encourages us to push the bolide more; difficult to contain, it is a true multisensory experience! Fortunately we were in Germany with some portions of autobahn otherwise the C 63 could have made us lose our driving license time and time again – the biggest danger at the wheel.

On the track

It was on the Bilster Berg Drive Resort circuit that the Mercedes-AMG C 63 2019 was allowed to express itself more freely. Its new nine-speed Speedshift gearbox, the only major mechanical novelty this year, has proven to be very effective; its manual mode allows to pbad reports as we please without delay. It uses a wet clutch ( wet clutch ) to replace the torque converter, which not only reduces the weight but allows a more efficient response under strong acceleration.

In straight lines, "Gross acceleration practically allowed us to follow the instructor in the leading car (an AMG GT coupe, no less!), but of course he had the advantage when braking and cornering. No doubt the C 63 achieves high performance and the electronics quickly compensate for any pilot error or excess. We like to deal with her trying to push the limits of the car. However, you can modulate its level of intervention – from 1 to 9 – via the wheel on the steering wheel. We were surprised to find ourselves practically perpendicular to the turn-off lane; it was necessary to return to the bases of piloting quickly.

No integral wheel in the case of the C 63; the power is only sent to the rear wheels, but fortunately, we have a limited slip differential which, when cornering, reduces the torque sent to the inner wheel, enhancing stability and performance for faster output.

Back on the road, turn on Comfort mode and the machine provides almost all the comfort of an ordinary C-Clbad, a distinct advantage over other racing cars. This is the advantage of the C 63: it is effective in all situations, from the track to a family trip, especially because of its adaptive suspension that adjusts the damping under different conditions.

Of course , the sedan remains the most versatile, while the coupe is the most bady and dynamic. As for the cabriolet, one wonders why want such a configuration to the AMG sauce, especially that it is heavier and less convenient with its amputated load space.