The regular C Class variants are usually specified more towards premium motoring, elegance and comfort, and sometimes leave hard-driving enthusiasts out in the equation where adrenaline pumping performance is craved.
With the introduction of the updated four-door C 63 S sedan and its C 63 S Coupe sibling last year, well-heeled speedsters can add two new cars to their wish list. Our test unit was the sedan variant in Brilliant Blue Metallic priced at RM768,888 on-the-road without insurance.
Exterior
The grille is now the Panamericana-type featuring upright slats with a large Mercedes star that are also fitted on the Mercedes-AMG GT high-performance models so that you will know this C Class is infused with motorsports lineage.
The headlights are the bright and long range Multibeam LED-type while the bonnet comes with ridge lines for a more aggressive appearance. Together with large 19-inch wheels, wider wings and bodykits, the C 63 S is muscular and expressive, while still offering the stylish bodylines of the regular C Class.
The red calipers gripping on oversized cross drilled and slotted brake discs, which can be seen through the black spokes of alloy wheels, and heighten the C 63 S' sporty appeal.
The boot also comes with a lip spoiler which are not available on the regular C Class.
Interior
While reprising a similar dashboard to the pre-facelift model, the updated C 63 S gets new larger 10.25-inch media display and 12.3-inch all-digital instrument display which immediately draw the driver's attention.
The flat-bottom multi-function steering wheel with paddle shifters now gets two additional controllers for vehicle settings just below the steering wheel's main spokes. AMG Nappa leather in two tone platinum white pearl/black combination upholstery and AMG carbon fibre with light longtitudinal-grain aluminium trimming add to the sporty feel and excitement.
Like in the regular C Class variants, legroom are enough all around but the C 63 S's front passengers get bucket seats that come with adjustable bolsters for side support during high speed cornering.
Other high-end features include ambient lighting, panoramic sliding sunroof, rear air conditioner vents, 360-degree camera system, head-up display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto support and Burmester surround Sound system.
Drive experience
With a 4.0-litre V8 engine delivering 510hp and 700Nm of torque, the C 63 S' performance, driving dynamics and visceral experience are easily within the territory of high-performance sports cars.
The C 63 S fires to life at the push of the start/stop button with a brutal rumble before idling down to a muffled burble.
The AMG Performance exhaust system with three selectable flap setting allows drivers to rein in and partly civilise the otherwise savage exhaust note as not to distress neighbours or pedestrians.
Floor the accelerator and this steroids-infused sedan releases unrestrained power and scorches the 0-100kph sprint in 4 seconds and to a top speed of 290kph.
Featuring a new AMG Speedshift MCT automatic transmission with 9-speed, up from 7-speed previously, the C 63 S now delivers more furious performance over the engine rev range.
The AMG Dynamic Select modes are Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual, Slippery and RACE which tweaks the car's engine, transmission, exhaust and suspension settings to suit the profile chosen by the driver.
Even when its AMG Ride Control+ with a three-stage suspension setting is set to the "softest," the ride can still be considered firm by many people who have never driven a Mercedes-AMG model before.
By trading off a bit of comfort for a firmer setting, the C 63 S using 19-inch wheels with low-profile sports tyres, easily delivers a planted ride at high speeds and minimal body roll around fast bends.
Brakes, meanwhile, are very responsive and offer a strong bite to snuff of excess speed instantly. The thick steering wheel wrapped with Nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre is pleasant to hold and provides good response and feedback.
Aside from the usual slew of safety features of airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic stability programme among others, the C 63 S also has a helping of semi-autonomous driving aid to help in steering, lane keeping and collision prevention.
Verdict
At the C 63 S' asking price of just below RM770,000, prospective buyers can also pay the same amount for a large luxury sedan or a full-size seven-seater premium sports utility vehicle which are two segments bigger and more spacious. However, those alternatives would fall way short of delivering the wicked diving excitement the C 63 S could.
SPECIFICATIONS
Mercedes-AMG C 63 S
Engine: 3,982cc, V8, bi-turbo
Maximum power: 510hp from 5,500 to 6,250rpm
Maximum torque: 700Nm from 2,000 to 4,500rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed AMG Speedshift Multi-Clutch Technology
Features: Airbags, AMG Ride Control sports suspension, AMG Dynamic Select, anti-lock braking system, electronic stability programme, head-up display, 19-inch AMG cross-spoke forged wheels, Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus, Multibeam LED headlamps, AMG performance exhaust system, Burmester surround sound system, 10.25-inch media display, 12.3-inch all-digital instrument display, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, surround view camera, Distance Pilot Distronic with Steering Pilot, Active Lane-keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross traffic function, Active Parking Assist, panoramic sliding sunroof, AMG performance steering wheel in Nappa leather and Dinamica microfibre, Nappa leather upholstery, COMAND Online, sat-nav
Acceleration (0-100kph): 4.0 seconds
Top speed: 290kph
Price (on-the-road without insurance): RM768,888
