Mercedes-Benz C-Class C63 2011 Review

The beaut new Benz C-Class coupe has been to the gym. The result is another AMG muscle car that completes the company's small-car crew for Australia, giving C63 shoppers the choice between a sedan, a wagon and the good looking coupe for the first time. So

Lined up against its obvious rivals, headed by the M3 from BMW, the new thumper has the considerable advantage of an all-new body and the sort of AMG muscle that makes even the shortest trips into a fun run.

The newest AMG car could be the last newcomer with the 6.2-litre V8, as Benz - like BMW - is shifting to turbo power at its go-faster division. The motor in the new Coupe makes 336 kiloWatts and 420 Newton-metres, but the downside if official consumption

The 63 Coupe is well priced for the class and its competition. On that front it used to be overshadowed by Godzilla, the Nissan GT-R, but the bottom line on the all-wheel drive turbo monster has blown out by more than $20,000 this year to $168,800.

The two-door Benz looks good as a basic coupe but even better with the AMG gear, right down to the subtle carbon fibre spoiler on the boot of the Performance Pack car. The guards have the been-to-the-gym look, hug down onto the big wheels, and tell the wo

The inside work on the average C pays off in the AMG model, particularly the new-look dash with bigger colour display. It's not as impressive as the latest M5, but it works well and so does the tweaking with the leather, good access to the back seats, and

The newest C63 is smooth looking and tough, has the right equipment and some nice new tweaks - including a multi-mode stability control that gives keen drivers some wiggle room - including the full update package that transformed the ordinary C-Class mode

The C63 is a Mercedes-Benz and that means lots of good things, even if there is no official ANCAP five-star tick because no-one is likely to smash a $150,000 car for a few numbers. Carsguide believes it's a five-star natural, partly because of the basic b

With the recent upgrade of the Merc' C-Class range of cars comes a revamped C63AMG performance sedan (also in coupe and wagon) priced from $152,800. All the refinements and changes from the garden variety C-Class flow through to the AMG cars including the new face, bumpers and tail lights and much improved interior.

But the big news is the adoption of a seven-speed MCT multi-plate auto transmission that positively transforms the C63.

DESIGN

Upmarket "Designo" upholstery is standard along with a sports wheel with flat bottom and top. The dash is a complete redesign.

There's a metal look to the dash fascia and new warning lights as well as a large TFT colour display screen incorporating Satnav trip computer and other displays.

A 40 gig hard drive contains a music register and drives the satnav among other things. Bluetooth phone and audio are included as well as an internet browser.

Fully adjustable front sports seats offer plenty of body hug whole ergonomic package is easy to use and good to look at.

TECHNOLOGY

Retains the 6.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol V8 engine but in this case, with the $14,900 performance pack upgrade moving power up to 352kW from 336kW with the same 600Nm of torque. Pistons, conrods and crankshaft are from the SLS Gullwing.

Drive is to the rear wheels through performance pack 19-inch alloys - and larger brakes - with six piston calipers on the front. Benz has been able to squeeze fuel consumption down to 12.1-litres/100km and with the performance pack, the 0-100kmh sprint is a 4.4 second event.

The engine is hand built in Germany and signed by its builder. The MCT transmission offers quicker changes up and down and a throttle blip on the down change. There are four modes ranging from comfort to manual and race start.

Three mode stability control offers on, sport and off. Steering changes give a more direct feel and more pronounced self centring effect.

SAFETY

And with all the extra go comes boosted safety with Pre-safe collision preparation, adaptive high beam assist, attention assist, lane keeping, blind spot warning and radar cruise control all included.

DRIVING

This is a monumental car, in a number of ways, not the least being the sound emanating from the big-bore quad exhaust. It has brutal performance at will and yet can meander along at car park speed meek as a lamb.

There is an exhaust bang when changing up in full sport mode that is entirely in keeping with the character of the C63.

The new transmission is a revelation - slick, and almost predictive. At no point is it caught napping. But the wheel mounted change paddles can be annoying when you are turning and changing gears.

A tendency to oversteer is controlled neatly by the dial up stability control system. We couldn't get enough of the C63 AMG and it's so practical - a classy four seat four door sedan that looks imposing and ready for action. The performance pack should be standard.

VERDICT

Yes please, might have to change from the Porsche 911 Carrera S dream car.

MERCEDES-BENZ C63 AMG

Price: $154,800 ($14,900 Performance Pack)
Warranty: 3 years/100,000km
Resale: 53 per cent after 3 years
Service interval: 20,000km/12 months
Safety: 5 stars (predicted)
Engine: 6.2-litre V8, 336kW/600Nm
Body: Two-door coupe
Dimensions: 4707mm (L), 1795mm (w), 1391mm (h), weight 1730kg
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Thirst: 12.1l/100km, 95RON, CO2 283g/km.