Mercedes model nomenclatures used to correspond more or less with the size of the engine under the bonnet. For example, when the first of the Mercedes-AMG C63 sedan was launched in 2007 it had a 6.2 litre V8 under the bonnet. In 2015, the W205 Mercedes-AMG C63 sedan replaced it and Merc retained, somewhat controversially, the 63 badges despite the fact that the V8 engine had shrunk to 4.0 litres.
Now as we are moving to smaller and more electrified powertrains, the presence of the finish line for internal combustion engines is a vivid reminder that every litre matters. The road ahead is far shorter than the road already travelled with the notes of those glorious V8 engines now a distant memory echoing across the performance car chasm. The time had come for Mercedes-AMG to push the “refresh” button and invent something exciting and new for the next generation of the C63. Where else would Merc look then, but towards the hybrid engines currently powering Formula 1 cars, and thus this record-breaking Mercedes-AMG C63 S E PERFORMANCE was created.
The expert knowledge exchanged between the High Performance Powertrains engine shop of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team in Brixworth, UK, and Mercedes-AMG in Affalterbach, Germany has resulted with the creation of the world’s most powerful production four-cylinder engine. In the F1 racing car, the electric support of an exhaust gas turbocharger eliminates turbo lag from the combustion engine. AMG have replicated this on the C63 by combining a Garrett turbocharger, capable of operating at up to 150,000 rpm, with a 400-volt on-board electrical system.
All up the C63 S E PERFORMANCE W206 engine produces 500kW and 1020Nm, that’s 125kW and 320Nm more than the outgoing V8 C63 S. But there is an asterisk next to those 500kWs, because it’s only available for bursts of up to 10 seconds when you push the accelerator beyond the detente towards the end of its travel. This is the same four-cylinder engine found in the AMG A45, but now produces an output-per-litre of 176 kW with the additional power coming via the advanced onboard rear-mounted battery linked via a two-speed electric motor positioned on the rear axle for perfect 50:50 front-rear balance. The electrical energy stored in this high-performance battery, that weighs just 89 kilograms, can generate continuous output of 70kW and the peak output of 150kW for that magical 10 seconds, offering extreme acceleration from a standstill. I was unable to fully experience this though as the Launch Control on the C63 I drove was unavailable.
The responsiveness from this combination is outstanding and fused with the fully variable all-wheel drive system this C63 will do 0-100km/h in just 3.4 seconds, 0.6 seconds faster than the previous V8-powered model. But under hard acceleration the C63 exhaust barks on upshift and pops on downshift more like the Mercedes-AMG A Class models. Reducing the number of cylinders by 50% has also cut the claimed combined fuel consumption figure by half to just 6.9L/100km. But for my week with the four-cylinder C63 I used 14.2L/100km of 98 RON petrol, just 14% less than 16.6L/100km I used when I reviewed the previous V8-powered C63 S.
There are eight driving modes available under the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT and these are Slippery, Individual, Battery Hold, Electric, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, and Race. The AMG RIDE CONTROL steel-spring suspension with Adaptive Damping System meant regardless of whether I was in Comfort or Race mode I found the ride quality was excellent.
By selecting the ‘Electric’ driving mode from the Dynamic Select menu EV only driving is available up to 125 km/h, which would somewhat dimmish the claimed 15km of EV driving range. The AMG-devised battery has been designed for fast power delivery and draw, rather than the longest possible electric driving range on this plug-in hybrid (PHEV). External charging is via the 3.7 kW on-board AC charger, but I found that there was no need to use this for the week I drove the C63. Regardless of the drive mode, you can also select regeneration levels of the hybrid drive via the steering wheel button. I was really impressed by how quickly the recuperation worked being more like a supercar’s hybrid performance than a PHEV family sedan.
For the first time in the storied history of this model, the C63 S E PERFORMANCE is fitted with rear-axle steering. This standard inclusion operates with a maximum steering angle of 2.5 degrees at speeds of up to 100km/h (variable, depending on the AMG DYNAMICS setting). At speeds above 100km/h, the rear wheels turn up to a maximum of 0.7 degrees, in parallel with the front wheels. Additionally, three-stage AMG parameter steering features a variable steering geometry ratio that adapts to the selected drive program. At high speeds, the steering power assistance decreases; at low speeds it is steadily increased.
In another first that’s somewhat less positive, this C63 uses recorded exhaust sounds that are emitted in the interior via the entertainment sound system and exterior loudspeakers to enhance the aural experience. Like the rest of this amazing vehicle, it is quite trick and involves the actual sound of the combustion engine being recorded via a pressure sensor in the exhaust system and further enriched before it is piped back to your ears. Another disappointing feature is this C63 only starts in electric mode, so there is no initial bark from the exhaust announcing what is about to come.
The C63 S now comes standard with an AMG high-performance composite brake system with 6-piston fixed callipers at the front and 1-piston floating callipers at the rear. This system contributes to very short braking distances as well as maximum stability and fade-resistance under heavy use. Furthermore, lightweight material reduces unsprung mass, which is good because the new C63 now weighs 2,036kg almost 300kg more than its predecessor.
The cabin design feels special, but somewhat enclosed thanks to the sweeping dash design and the large portrait-orientated multimedia central display that dominates the space. The latest generation of the MBUX multimedia system incorporates various AMG- and hybrid-specific displays and functions including wireless Android Auto, which connected easily for me. The voice control also worked well for making phone calls, changing the radio station, and setting a destination on the sat nav.
There are many menus to explore via the screen and that means lots of finger marks on it or you can select a large digital IWC watch face that replaces the analogue IWC clock found in the previous C63. My favourite is the Track Pace app that records your on-track performance and allows you to download and study it at a later date. There are no Australian tracks built in meaning you would have to ‘map’ a new track before you use it here and sadly, I didn’t get the opportunity to do this.
I really like the speaker covers and metal-look arm rests on the doors, but I’m not a fan of the gloss black material used on the centre console and sliding cover as this quickly becomes covered in fingerprints and fine dust. Under this cover there are two cup holders, which can be completely removed to make one large storage space that also has a wireless charger for the key fob. At the front of this cubby is a wireless charge pad for compatible devices and one USB-C port and there are another two USB-C ports located under the split folding arm rest.
Other standard equipment includes a panoramic sliding sunroof, a head-up display with AMG-specific graphical elements, a Burmester 3D surround sound system, very cool ambient lighting in the front and rear of the cabin, puddles lights, and MBUX augmented reality for navigation that projects the forward facing camera on the central screen when you are stopped at traffic lights.
These AMG Nappa leather black sport seats are comfortable and come as standard, with the option of an AMG Performance Seat with supportive side seat bolsters and weight-saving openings that also improve ventilation, also available. Both front seats are heated and have power adjustment for the headrest, seat back recline, forward/back, seat height front and rear, and 4-way lumbar support with three memory positions. Seat adjustments are made using the touch sensitive seat-shaped buttons located on the door.
I like the perforated leather used on the AMG Performance steering wheel and the metal paddle shifters for the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT-9G automatic. I don’t like the gloss black twin-spoke design on the wheel as there are too many buttons and their operation is fiddly. I have also never been a fan of the two knobs that protrude down and allow quick drive mode selection, ESC controls, and battery recouperation adjustment. The appearance of the driver’s instrument cluster can be personalised with different display styles and individually selectable main views, including an AMG-specific style.
The leg room of the rear seats was adequate for me, but the head room was tight and my head touched the roof. The C63 is still a family car though and has two ISOfix/three rear tether child seat restraint points. The two rear air vents have individual direction and on/off control, but no separate temperature control, something that was available on the previous C63, and there are no rear USB ports either. The centre seat folds down as an arm rest with flip out cup holders in the front that require a double push to slide out and there are good size drink bottle storage cubbies in the rear doors.
The C63 S has a gesture open/close boot lid that can also be operated using the button under the lid, on the key fob, and in the cabin. The boot space is reduced by the protrusion of the battery located over the rear axle and when you lower the 60/40 split folding rear seats there’s a hump that would limit the size of articles that could be carried in it. The boot space has four substantial tie down points, two hooks and one light and a tyre repair kit.
The Mercedes-AMG C63 S E PERFORMANCE does not have an ANCAP safety rating, but it does come with a standard suite of assistances including DISTRONIC PLUS automated cruise control, active lane-keeping assist, Traffic Sign Assist, and the PRE-SAFE accident anticipation system. A 360-degree camera function with 360-degree sensors makes parking a synch and for convenience you also get auto headlights with adaptive high beam assist plus and auto wipers.
All new Mercedes-Benz vehicles come with a 5 year/unlimited kilometre warranty and this also includes 24/7 roadside and accident assistance. The service interval for the C63 S E PERFORMANCE is one year/20,000km and an upfront five service plan can be purchased for $7,085.
Winter is coming, but until then we get to bask in the technical glory that is the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E PERFORMANCE. Its price starts at $187,900 excluding on-road costs and this was also the as tested price for this Spectral Blue Metallic C63. The Mercedes-AMG C63 S E PERFORMANCE is now available for immediate delivery with 37 examples listed, as at the time of writing this, on the Mercedes-Benz Australia website or you can visit your preferred Mercedes-Benz retailer for more information.
| Pros | Cons |
| The blistering acceleration | The augmented engine soundtrack |
| The recuperation technology on the EV battery | The reduced boot space due to the EV battery |
| The ride is comfortable | It’s missing some AMG magic |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.