SEPANG: Budding owners seeking a high-powered coupe from within the three-pointed star’s C-Class models, then look no further than the AMG version of the C 63 S Coupe which made its official debut at the Sepang International Circuit.
With a 66-litre fuel-tank feeding the handcrafted M177 4.0-litre (3,982cc) twin-turbo V8 engine that has a bassy exhaust note thanks to an AMG quad sports exhaust system under the 355-litre boot - all of which seems to justify the on-the-road without insurance price-tag of RM773,888 from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia.
With 510hp from 5,500 to 6,250rpm and 700Nm of torque from 1,750 to 6,250rpm under the hood, an AMG Speedshift MCT seven-speed automatic gearbox with paddle-shifters sends it all to the rear wheels for some tail-happy occasion whenever the driver desires.
At standstill, while holding the brake down with the left-foot, pulling both paddle-shifters, then the right paddle and then flooring the accelerator puts the coupe into Launch Control mode. Releasing the brake sucks the coupe’s occupants into the back rest as it reaches 100kph in 3.9 seconds and onwards to an electronically-limited top speed of 250kph. An optionally extra AMG Driver’s package ups the limit to 290kph.
Externally, the coupe gets AMG-ed with the twin-blade front grille and bumper, while the German carmaker’s three-pointed star is found in the centre. There’s also a tri-fin diffuser at the rear, carbon fibre side skirts and ‘V8 Biturbo’ badges on each side just aft of the front wheels to act as a reminder or deterrent to anything lesser.
An AMG Night package as an optional-extra applies a gloss-black finish to the trim strips at the A-wing, rear bumper, external mirror housings, shoulder-line and window surrounds.
The V8 coupe rolls on matte black 19-inch AMG nine dual Y-spoke wheels with high-sheen rim flanges and gets fitted with 255/35 (front) and 285/30 (rear) series tyres for grip, while an electronic rear axle locking differential has been exclusively fitted to aid traction and a three-stage adjustable AMG Ride Control sports suspension system takes care of the handling department.
Inside, it’s either red-black or white-black perforated Nappa leather for the cabin and can be further enhanced by an AMG Performance Studio interior package as an extra, which provides a choice of either carbon-fibre and aluminium or matte silver and aluminium combination trim.
The AMG performance seats have been wrapped in Artico man-made leather and is accompanied by some grippy Dinamico microfibre in key areas while an AMG badge resides on the backrests.
Other than the usual availability of the AMG Dynamic Select’s list of Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes to alter the suspension, steering, throttle sensitivity and gearshift mapping accordingly, owners now have the newly added option of choosing Race mode.
For an additional RM22,000, a wilder ‘Edition 1’ version of the coupe is available at RM795,888, which comes with a few upgrades to help it differentiate itself from the milder-looking C 63 S Coupe by rolling on a set of larger 19-inch (front) and 20-inch (rear) blackened Performance five-twin-spoke forged wheels wearing 255/35 (front) and 285/30 (rear) series tyres.
The design is inspired by the appearance of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 DTM race cars which means it comes in two designs, one that has all exterior paint finishes available with added graphite grey matte sport stripes and the rim flanges of the matt black forged wheels in high-sheen cross-spoke design. Additionally, custom sport tyres and a high-performance ceramic compound brake system are available as an option.
The other variant comes in designo magno selenite grey matt paint finish with a yellow film coating (a tribute to this year’s C 63 DTM race car). Bright yellow is again used to accent the car's looks with sport stripes on the front hood, roof, boot lid and side lines above the rocker panels as well as the rim flanges.
Inside, the DINAMICA microfibre Performance flat-bottom steering wheel and AMG Performance seats upholstered in Nappa leather greets its driver.
Yellow has been predominantly splashed throughout the cabin for contrast and is found on the instrument cluster, AMG-specific IWC analogue clock, floor mats and the diamond-pattern topstitching for the door centre panels, armrests, steering wheel and belt-lines, while a lone matte carbon trim is used for the centre console.
