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Mercedes-AMG have had a busy year. Along with wrapping up the production of the SLS, they’ve launched a few new models this year such as the GLA45, S63 Coupe, facelift CLS63, and of course the gorgeous new AMG GT sports car. That was launched a couple of weeks ago and already AMG have unveiled another new car.

Everyone, welcome to the new C63 AMG. This has to be one of the most anticipated cars of 2014. The outgoing C63 AMG is the poster child of brutal, raw, and old-school V8 German muscle. It’s a visceral experience and offered a smoking barrels alternative to the point and shoot BMW M3. But while the outgoing C63 had one of the greatest engines in all of human history, the M156 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8, this new one doesn’t.

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It shares the new M177 4.0-litre AMG V8 with bi-turbos as the AMG GT. That means in standard form the C63 AMG now develops a healthy 470bhp and 650NM of torque. That’s more than the Audi RS4 (444bhp), BMW M3 (425bhp), and current C63 (457bhp) despite losing 2200cc. But if 470bhp isn’t enough then AMG will offer you an even more powerful C63 S. Like the AMG GT S this has 510bhp from its 4.0-litre V8 engine. But it develops more torque. The GT S produces 650NM of torque, the C63 S develops 700NM. That makes it even more powerful then the C63 Edition 507! Hmm, this could be interesting.

Performance for the C63 are as follows; 0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds and a limited top speed of 250 km/h. The C63 S gets to the legal speed limit two-tenths quicker but has the same limited top speed. Both models have an updated version of AMG’s 7-speed Speedshift MCT automatic with the same five driver modes (C, S, S+, M, and Race for the C63 S). Like the current W205 range, this new C63 is a tad lighter than its predecessor. With the C63 it is 15kg light tipping the scales at 1640kg.

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As a sign of the times and the reasoning for downsizing the C63’s engine capacity, Mercedes-AMG claims the C63 has “class leading” green credentials. I’m guessing they mean in the sports sedan class and not in the C-Class as the C200 BlueTec might be greener. With a claimed 8L/100km fuel consumption and 192g/100km of CO2, they’re certainly impressive claims. But come on, let’s be realistic. With 510 bhp and a bi-turbo V8 you’re not going to be driving this like an eco-car are you?

As proof of the C63’s sporting intentions the W205’s chassis on which it sits on has been heavily fettled with. The C63 comes packed with lots of racy additions such as AMG’s 3-stage Sport Ride Control adaptive damping system. The standard C63 comes with a mechanical locking diff while the C63 S gets an electronically controlled locking diff. You can even option it with carbon-ceramic brakes and performance exhausts. Serious stuff. But of course this is an AMG so it should be able to do silly stuff too. Oh yes it can because its ESP system has three modes: On, Sport, and Off! Yeah, this could be a lot of fun.

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What’s even better is rumours of the the C63 following the E63 and S63 in adopting 4Matic have been untrue. That’s right, this faster and more powerful C63 is still rear-wheel drive only. It may be more eco and it may not have the dinosaur V8 anymore but this will still be a heavy smoker.

Crikey I’ve gone this far without mentioning its looks. I should’ve started with that because while the performance figures look great, the exterior styling is just as great. It ties in well with the current AMG range as it features a similar front bumper design. The skirts, rear bumper, and wheels also gets the sporty AMG treatment and give it the aggressive look we’ve come to expect from Mercedes’ in-house nutters. My favourite part, as with any other Mercedes AMG car, are the flared wheelarches. I do love a flared wheelarch.

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If I’m being totally honest though while this new design is elegant, pretty, and classy, I do think it has lost some of the edge of the outgoing car. It’s not as aggressive somehow. The looks have reflected the engine change. But in saying that no one can dispute the interior styling. The W205 C-Class has the best interior in the entire C-Class history and if anything the C63 AMG makes it even better.

In place of a wood trim centre-console, it is now carbon-fibre. Who doesn’t want a big slab of carbon-fibre in their interior? It goes well with the aluminium trim too. Then there’s the steering wheel which is part-leather, part-alcantara and fully awesome. And those sports seats look like the villain of a sci-fi movie.

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Okay, I may need to stop before I get too excited. The C63 sedan and wagon will be shown at the upcoming Paris Motor Show and will go on sale in early 2015. It’ll be followed by a coupe and cabriolet in 2016. The old tyre-smoker is dead, long live the tyre-smoker. What do you think of the new C63? Are you as excited about it as I am or would you rather a M3 or RS4?

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Ken Saito
Words cannot begin to describe how much I love cars but it's worth a try. Grew up obsessed with them and want to pursue a career writing about them. Anything from small city cars to the most exotic of supercars will catch my attention.

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