2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 Reviews

Mercedes-Benz has just launched an all-new C-Class model, so there's a good chance many owners of older models will be trading up. Meaning there could be a glut of used C-Class in Australia, giving you the chance to select between the many on offer, as well as the opportunity to select from the best of them. 

While most motorists seek reliability and economy from their cars there are those who put performance above all else.For them cars like the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG deliver the ultimate driving thrill, they're the ones that take performance to previously   undreamt of places.The sad reality for most who lust after a true high performance car, like the C63 with its $126,000 price tag, is that they're well beyond the reach of all but the very, very well heeled.Everyone else can only look on and dream, at least until the price drops to a point they can afford to turn the dream into a reality with a secondhand example.MODEL WATCHThe Mercedes-Benz C63 rewrote the book on performance, lifting the bar even higher than its awesome rivals from BMW and Audi.The pocket rocket race can be traced back to the humble Minis, Cortinas and Escorts of the 1960s, but really started in earnest when   the Germans got in on the act in the 1980s.It was back then that BMW launched the first M3, a hot derivative of the 3-Series. Not to be outdone Mercedes-Benz answered with a hot AMG-  tweaked C-Class, and the race between the German carmakers was well and truly on.  Almost 30 years later and the race is hotter than ever, with each company quick to counter any move its rivals might make.The C63 answered BMW's move to slot a V8 into the M3, and raised the performance bar even higher with its own V8 that boasted 336 kW at   6800 revs and 600 Nm at 5000 revs.It was enough to have it doing 100 km/h just 4.5 seconds from rest, which put it in elite high performance company with cars like the Porsche 911.  Like all AMG models the C63 starts with a modest regular production model, in this case the compact C-Class sedan and wagon.It then gets a much hotter heart, in this case a thumping great hand-built 6.2-litre double overhead camshaft V8 engine.  But while the V8 gave it the grunt the C63 was much more than mere power, it had the chassis to back it up.If there was a criticism of previous C-Class AMG cars it was that they weren't very engaging for those who wanted to be fully involved in the driving. That was countered in the C63 with the seven-speed auto transmission with shift paddles under the steering wheel that gave the driver more control than in previous models, and sharper chassis tuning.It also came with a comprehensive array of electronic devices to monitor and control the car, including electronic stability control, traction control, ABS anti-lock brakes with optimum brake force distribution, emergency brake assist and the like.While these systems help keep the booming 'Benz on the straight and narrow the driver could, if they wished, switch it off and fully enjoy the full thrill of the beast beneath.  Then, if things went wrong the car would engage the electronics in an effort to save the situation before it got too out of hand.Inside, it had leather sports seats, a sports wheel, auto air, cruise, park distance control, six-speaker CD sound, power front seats with memory, power mirrors and windows, sat-nav and woodgrain trim.IN THE SHOPIndependent Mercedes-Benz specialist Peter Lennox services 10-15 C63s   and tells us that it is a robust and reliable performance car and   little goes wrong with them if they are well maintained.The V8 engine has been in production since 2006 and is very reliable.  Lennox says it's good for at least 200,000-300,000 km, and probably a lot more.The seven-speed auto is also quite bulletproof. It has been around since 2005 and like the engine doesn't give any major trouble, although Lennox says he has seen a few problems with lock-up torque converters in cars that have done 200,000-plus km.If driven hard the front-end bushes can wear out in 50,000-60,000 km.   Check for fluid leaks from the oil-filled bushes, a sure sign the   bushes need attention.Tyres don't last long, particularly if driven hard. A driver who takes care of his tyres will be replacing them every 10,000-15,000 km, but one who pushes the performance limit will be replacing them even more frequently.IN A CRASHWith an electronic arsenal of ABS brakes, Brake Assist, EBD   brakeforce distribution, ESP stability control and traction control the C63 has an impressive complement of active safety features.If that isn't enough it also has a full array of airbags, including dual front and side airbags, and head airbags.  ANCAP hasn't specifically tested the C63, but the C-Class it's based upon is rated at five out of a possible five stars.UNDER THE PUMPMake no mistake the C63 is a thirsty beast; Mercedes-Benz claims an average fuel consumption of 14.5-16.0 L/100 km.OWNER'S SAYA super car for less than 150 grand! It was a deal Carsguide reader Lindsay couldn't resist. In his mind he had attained the ultimate in   motoring utopia. As a 60-year-old who has driven competitively and owned some high performance machinery he felt more than capable of   extracting reasonable performance and pleasure out of the C63, but he finds it almost impossible to get the car off the mark quickly without spinning the wheels and invoking the ESP, and defies anyone to achieve the acceleration time Mercedes-Benz claims. He also shredded the rear tyres in just 13,000 km, something he says is   common on the C63. Despite that he says the C63 is great to drive.LOOK FOR High speed thrillsAwesome performanceRefined and sophisticatedGas guzzlerEats rear tyresGreat bang for the buckTHE BOTTOM LINEAwesome performance yet still refined and sophisticated. 90/100

Now the fifth generation of AMG C-class brings us the C63. In 1999 Mercedes purchased controlling interest and since that time the cache of the AMG name has continued to grow.The C63 is a powerhouse of performance and technology, with its own unique bonnet and twin power bulges it all starts with the engine, a built 'by one set of hands' AMG-designed masterpiece with a tuned exhaust note that should make HSV owners weak at the knees.EngineThe 6.2-litre/6208cc V8 engine develops 336 kW/457hp (the German Touring Race cars develop 470hp) and 600Nm of torque at 5000rpm. With a torque curve from 2000 to 6250 rpm that always produces at least 500Nm, the engine revs freely to over 7000rpm, and has outstanding responsiveness and enormous pulling power. It develops over 30 per cent more torque than comparable engines in this performance class.Built almost completely from a high-strength silicon-aluminium alloy, the engine has four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, and a variable intake manifold. The cylinder bores feature a twin-wire-arc-sprayed (TWAS) coating which makes them twice as hard as conventional cast-iron cylinders.TransmissionPower is transmitted to the rear wheels via a seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission that can be shifted manually by either a conventional lever or paddles on the AMG steering wheel, a wheel that features a flat bottom that just feels perfect in hand. Drivers have total control of shifting, manual mode doesn`t allow any computer intervention. In auto, shifting is 35% faster with an automatic "throttle-blipping" during downshifts. This jolt-free downshifting process reduces load-change handling response, and improves braking in advance of turn-in. The transmission features three driving modes, “S” (Sport), ” C” (Comfort) and “M” (Manual) They differ in their shift characteristics and speed: shifts in “S” mode are around 30 percent faster than in “C”, and no less than around 50 percent faster in “M” mode. Pressing a button is all it takes to activate the desired driving programme.ChassisThe chassis features a redesigned front suspension including stiffer shocks and springs all around, as well as new bearings, a stiffer stabilizer bar and 1.4-inch wider track. At the rear, the multi-link suspension has been re-engineered, plus track at front is a half inch wider with increased negative camber for improved cornering. The new wheel location provides greatly improved lateral dynamics and allows for significantly higher cornering speeds. Modified steering characteristics, make a further contribution to increased precision.18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels are standard and there is 19-inch wheel/tyre combination as an option. Behind these wheels are 360 x 36-millimetre discs with six-piston fixed callipers on the front, while the rear gets 330 x 26-millimetre discs with four-piston fixed callipers. The brakes deliver great sensitivity and high fade-resistance.The Electronic Stability Program ESP is configured for the dynamic performance; the C63 is the first model to feature the 3-stage ESP with a Sport function. This system offers three different control settings from full intervention via changes, to handling dynamics and torque control, to — none. The system’s traction control is active in all three modes. If one of the drive wheels threatens to spin, specific brake pressure is applied to create the effect of a mechanical differential lock.ExteriorVisually the C63 AMG features a noticeably wide stance with a muscular front apron with large air intakes and side air outlets. There is a `6.3 AMG’ badge on each front fender, and side sill skirts continue the aggressive theme to the rear, where the rear apron features three pronounced diffuser fins that help enhance aerodynamic performance at high speeds.InteriorInside drivers are treated to newly developed AMG leather sport seats that hug you like no Mercedes seats before. The unique AMG instrument cluster was developed specifically for the C63 AMG with redesigned analogue gauges and red needles.The central display includes special Warm-up, Setup, and Race modes that can be viewed via the multi-function buttons on the steering wheel. Warm-up displays engine oil and coolant temperatures, while Setup shows the current ESP and transmission shift modes, and for owners who enjoy adjusting their vehicles to even higher limits, Race activates a timer that allows the driver to measure lap times.The C63 AMG is a masterpiece and the pinnacle in performance sedans and at $140,000 is somewhat of a bargain in comparison to its competition.DRIVINGIn the short time since the C63's launch at Geneva in 2007 it has become a market changing car for Mercedes AMG. Single-handedLY, it has told performance car enthusiasts where AMG is headed — and that is directly into the domain held for so long by BMW. Praise is heaped on the small Merc in every review and at every track test. It is well documented that this car redefines AMG as builders of cars for drivers and not just Mercs with big engines.So given that it has already well and truly had its neck wrung by other reviewers — and passed with flying colours — my approach to my time with the 63 was somewhat different. A weekend of family driving. After all, this is a four-door sedan of a practical size for my family.I predominantly like performance coupes, my wife likes four doors, cupholders, heated seats and vents in the back for the kids. Was this a car that could satisfy us both?Steering lock is amazing and you could park this thing on a dime. Looking at the car, my wife commented that while it looked great, at the same time it looked ordinary. In red it could pass as any just another performance four-door sedan. So a bright red Mercedes, that can do 0-100km/h in under 4.5 seconds and de-limited around 320km/h can go largely unnoticed and appear as just another family sedan.I was somewhat concerned what my wife would think of the firm ride, but crawling through urban 50km/h zones was so smooth she was all smiles.And the smoothness of that engine, coupled with the attention to retaining a quiet cabin, meant it always feels like a luxury interior. Stopped at a set of lights you basically can't hear or feel that the car is going. How did a big thumping V8 get this refined.It is also probably one of the safest cars ever built, not just for its unquestionable build quality, but also because it has the power and braking capability to get you out of nearly any situation the traffic could throw at you.Shopping gave the car another nod, with the big boot getting an equally big tick from my wife – and permission to put it on the list as the new family car. If only I had the spare dollars.So does it pass all our requirements for a new family sedan? Hell yes. It will just mean a small sacrifice with the family budget. I’m trying to convince the wife we don’t really need to eat for the rest of the year.VERDICT: 9.5

Engine and TransmissionThe estate uses the same engine that powers its saloon sibling -- a super-charged four-cylinder engine that puts out 135kW and 250Nm, with power getting to the wheels via a five-speed automatic with paddle shifts on the steering wheel..Fitted with improved pistons and with modified engine management, the C200 estate boasts impressive performance and fuel consumption  at 8.3litres/100kms.ExteriorThe giant German marque has made sure to hold on to the distinctive Mercedes-Benz characteristics with C200 estate, whilst adding modern elements.The distinctive chrome three-louvered radiator grille and big centred badge plus chrome highlights on the bumpers, wings and doors help to retain the classic Merc presence. The body coloured bumpers, polished aluminium roof rails, an electric glass sun-roof and 17 inch, five twin-spoke, light-alloy wheels give it an edgy modern feel.The side profile highlights a creased waistline following the long rise from the bonnet, over the windscreen then gently down to the top of the tail gate where it drops abruptly and folds into a short rear overhang. The front wheels being pushed right to the front also give the car an athletic, purposeful stance.InteriorInside, the C200 has a sporty flavour with black floor mats and dash, contrasting with the door panels and arm rests in reef grey. The classic Merc heritage is never too far away though, highlighted by black bird’s eye maple and full leather upholstery.As always, quality and attention to detail is easily evident. Electronically adjustable driver and passenger seats with memory settings, three-zone automatic climate control, a Harmon/Kardon Logic 7 sound system and voice recognition functionality are all standard.SafetyFront airbags, window bags and side bags for the driver and front passenger plus window bags and side bags for the side passenger, together with Adaptive Brake Regulation with hillstart assist, ESP, ABS, crash-responsive active head restraints(for front seats) and a tyre pressure loss warning system, completes the substantial safety package.PricingThe C200 estate starts at $58,978.DRIVINGWigley saysAfter recently driving the C63 AMG I was a little apprehensive stepping into the standard wagon because I almost know I’d be let down. But I really wasn’t.Both cars are great in their own ways – the C63 is a performance powerhouse and the estate is a comfortable, refined family wagon – and a damn good one at that.The workmanship and quality of the interior as always is first class. Initially the seats felt a little small but I soon sunk into them and felt completely supported.The flat bottom boot fits a lot but the car itself looks compact from the outside.The revised suspension, especially with the three settings made driving a joy in all conditions.Power, although not mind numbingly raucous, was sufficient enough to be able to merge and overtake without a trickle of fear that you might get rammed.The one gripe I had was the legroom in the back seats. Even with the front seats forward, the back is only really big enough for two mid-sized teenages.Verdict: 8/10Halligan saysI am a big fan of the current C-Class.  The C200 wagon reaffirms this opinion once again. It's a great package and it just feels right when you drive it.It has ample power for its target market. Style, presence, quality and performance are all excellent and I only have one criticism of the C-Class in general. It needs just an extra couple of centimetres between the front and rear seats.While I am not a fan of models growing through their life cycle, I think the C can afford to do so. At the moment it is still virtually the same size as the first generation 190 I parked it beside in the family garage.Start-up families shopping in this price bracket should consider this car. Don't do the normal thing and buy a mid-size 4x4 without first looking at one of these. Do your sums and consider cost of ownership and depreciation. Service costs, tyres and depreciation on most mid 4x4 is ludicrous especially in this price range.Quality, presence and style. More people should consider one.Verdict:  8.2/10  

The new C-Class follows last week’s introduction of the new Estate (wagon) in three variants: C200K, 220CDi and 63AMG.The compact Benz carry-all arrives just as the C-Class rides high on a number of best car awards and sales head north.It’s an impressive car in any form.Even the entry level model looks good, drives well and has the all important three-pointed star on the bonnet.The fact Mercedes-Benz has been able to keep the price static for a decade would also help move metal.It’s essentially the same as the sedan underneath and back to the windscreen.After that the Estate is characteristically a wagon with a one-piece tophinged tailgate and long load space that can be expanded when the rear seats are folded.Mercedes-Benz doesn’t have a small SUV in this segment so the wagon has to cover quite a few bases and fend off plenty of competition from other all-wheel drive competitors.Benz has put a more practical focus on this newcomer, creating space in the back to fit in more stuff.It is available in three grades – classic, elegance and avantgarde with varying levels of standard equipment and exterior appearance.Like the sedan, the avantgarde version is the best looker thanks to its more aggressive front end styling and sporty body add-ons.The 200K runs a 135kW/250Nm supercharged four-cylinder petrol engine, the 220CDi is a 125kW/400Nm common rail turbo diesel and the 63AMG is a 6.2-litre, 336kW/600Nm petrol V8.Performance is not an issue with any of the variants, certainly not the 63AMG.Drive is to the rear wheels and the two fours have a five-speed auto with sequential change mode, while the AMG has a seven-speed auto, also with sequential mode.Fuel economy is impressive on the two fours with the 200K good for 8.3 litres/100km and the 220CDi capable of a mere 6.2 litres/100km.Prices start at $58,990 for the 200K rising to $141,300 for the wicked 63AMG variant which will arrive here in time.The cars are five-seaters offering plenty of passenger room and a swag of luxury goodies, including leather upholstery, premium audio, climate control and several electronic goodies.Plenty of options are offered to tailor the vehicles, but even with a standard trim, all variants are well equipped.We took the C200K estate variant for a drive last week and for all intents and purposes it felt just like the sedan, offering sporty performance and handling and plenty of feel for the driver.It is compact enough to fit into tight places, but it’s also roomy inside for four adults.Five would be a squeeze.The load space is big and there’s a full-size spare under the floor.A cargo cover is also provided to keep luggage from view.Bluetooth technology has been installed and there is a handy Speedtronic cruise control system.The interior on our test car was a little dull in grey on grey tones, but other colours are available.The dash layout is functional and attractive with a large television monitor in the middle.It remains hidden when not in use.All variants are fitted with comprehensive safety equipment including stability control, multiple air bags and hill-start assist, which means you don’t have to keep your foot on the brake while stopped on hills.We also like the idea of what Benz had called Pre-safe.It readies systems for maximum protection in an imminent crash. 

This 6.213km ribbon of bitumen, shimmering on a 32C day, is at the rooftop of Australian motor racing. Defined by high-speed straights, blind corners, sharp descents and a set of narrow corners across the top, Bathurst is a track that demands the most from cars and drivers.While it has been in regular use for car racing for more than 40 years and was once home to the notorious Easter motorcycle races, the circuit carries regular commuter traffic for much of the year.Apart from racing, the track has been closed only once for a car company, when Volvo launched its 760 Turbo sedan in 1984.That was until the week before Easter when Mercedes-Benz arrived in Bathurst – population, 37,000 – with its range of hardcore AMG performance vehicles.It was the perfect location to unleash the C 63 AMG for the first time on Australian soil in what proved to be a week-long speed fest. The C 63 is priced at $20,000 under the C 55 AMG it outdates, coming in at $139,500.According to Mercedes-Benz Australia managing director Horst von Sanden, the value pricing has jolted its direct rivals, with BMW's M3 coupe priced at $157,000 and Audi's RS4 at $164,500, both heavy-hitting V8-engined vehicles.The fifth offering in the line of C-Class-based AMG models runs a 6.2-litre V8, which develops 336kW of power and 600Nm of torque.On the numbers front, the C 63 hits the mark covering a standing start to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds, undercutting the M3 and the RS4 by 0.3sec. It runs a new version of the 7G-Tronic Speedshift Plus gearbox which, in the words of five-times Mercedes DTM champion Bernd Schneider, eliminates any need for a manual.Unlike the M3 where the driver can program different settings for the steering and throttle, the C 63 is set although there is a newly mapped three-stage ESP arrangement and there are three driving modes.Sport mode shifts gears 30 per cent quicker than in Comfort, while in Manual mode the cogs shift up to 50 per cent faster.Tuning of the exhaust system delivers a soundtrack not dissimilar to the DTM car on which the C 63 is based, and which has won 61 races from 116 starts in the German Touring Car championship.The C 63 is the first AMG to carry specially built front suspension geometry, which gives a far firmer ride.Picking the C 63 from the rest of the C-Class crowd is easy; it has flared front guards, power bulges on the bonnet and a DTM-like rear with a black diffuser and integrated chromed twin tailpipes each side.The nose is distinctive although the grille is based on the Avantgard while the dark-tinted headlights give it a sinister look.An order-only C 63 AMG wagon, priced at $141,300, will be available from the third quarter of the year.Australia will receive an initial batch of 350 C 63s with von Sanden convinced he could sell between 500 and 600 if he could get an extra quota from Germany."It is a big conquest opportunity for us," he said. "I don't think we run the risk of cannibalising our products because of the price. AMG customers are less likely to be driven by price alone."The options list is limited to an electric roller blind for the rear glass, a keyless-go driver authorisation system and AMG carbonfibre trim.Unlike the M3 which offers motorsport brake pads for a $2378.95 premium option, the C 63 has no such product. It is equipped with fade-resistant AMG high-performance brakes with 360mm x 36mm discs at the front clamped by six-piston callipers with 330mm x 26mm discs with four-piston callipers at the rear.The C 63 will help total AMG sales to reach a predicted 1000 for 2008 with Australia in the top five countries globally for AMG sales per capita. How the C 63 handlesThe whole process brings out a broad smile with the ESP intervening only after the rear has stepped out enough for the driver to feel a quarter of a turn of opposite lock.The smooth 7G-Tronic AMG Speedshift Plus automatic gearbox is a good match for the 6208cc V8 engine.Shifts either with the gear lever or steering wheel-mounted paddles are ultra-quick.Hug the left-hand apex at The Cutting, gently squeeze the throttle and the C 63 hunkers down, with perhaps a trace of rear-wheel slip if you are too early on the power, and then settle it for the relative fast run into Reid Park.From here the next five corners through Sulman, McPhillamy Parks and down to Skyline are the most exhilarating series of turns in Australia.Balance and body control of the C 63 are tested here with the balance quite neutral and the entire affair pinned down neatly and tightly.Attacking the left-hander into Skyline, again it wants to understeer momentarily.Hard on the brakes for the first descent, the C 63 steers obediently with some trailing brake down towards The Dipper.Squeezing the throttle for the run through some quick changes of direction and into the second-gear Forest's Elbow the C 63 remained composed.It is stable under heavy braking and the handling remained remarkably controlled.Full throttle down Conrod, it hits the hump before entering the kink into The Chase and the ESP symbol flashes up in the instrument panel.The car's 1730kg kerb weight feels considerably lighter here, triggering the stability system into action.Through the left and right of The Chase the C63 remains balanced but wants to break loose if you are too aggressive on the throttle on the exit.Hammering the brakes into Murray's corner the rear squirms to a degree before it settles down as you head towards the left for the apex and use the kerb on the right for a swift exit to the finish.We did some 40 laps over the course of the day at Mt Panorama and the underlying message from the C 63 was that it was an effortless yet razor-sharp pocket rocket.There was no road drive so we'll have to wait until the test car arrives to accurately gauge the virtues of its ride quality in the real world.But for now the C 63 is very much a sleeping giant of the compact high-performance brigade. 

Peculiar in that it is denuded of all the cars and characters that paint Mt Panorama a kaleidscope of colour when the 1000km V8 Supercar Classic shakes the mountain each October.This 6.213km ribbon of bitumen, shimmering on a sweaty 32C day is literally at the rooftop of Australian motor racing.Defined by high-speed straights, blind corners, sharp descents and a narrow queue of corners across the top that literally electrifies the body, Bathurst is a ballsy place that demands ballsy cars.While it has been in regular use for car racing for more than 40 years and was once home to the notorious Easter motorcycle races, the circuit carries regular commuter traffic for much of the year.Outside racing, the track has only been closed once for a car company was when Volvo did a launch there in 1984 with its 760 Turbo sedan.That was until the week before Easter when Mercedes-Benz came to Bathurst - population of 37,000 - with their range of hardcore AMG performance vehicles.It was the perfect location to unleash the C 63 AMG for the first time on Australia soil which interrupted normal service at Mt Panorama for a week-long thrash.The new addition to the family arrives at a massive $20,000 underneath the C 55 AMG which it outdates, coming in at $139,500.According to Mercedes-Benz Australia managing director Horst von Sanden the value pricing has sent a jolt through its direct rivals.The discrepency leaves BMW's M3 coupe at $157,000 and Audi's RS4 at $164,500, both heavy-hitting V8-engined rocketships, looking a little worse for wear on the price front.The fifth offering in the line of C-Class-based AMG models runs a 6.2-litre (the modus operandi for the 63 badge designation is to upsize on the cubic capacity figure in this case 6208cc) V8 which develops 336kW of power and a decent dollop of torque at 600Nm.On the numbers front, the C 63 hits the mark covering a standing start to 100km/h in 4.5secs, undercutting the M3 and the RS4 by .3sec.It runs a new version of the 7G-Tronic Speedshift Plus gearbox which in the words of five-times Mercedes DTM champion Bernd Schneider eliminates any need for a manual.Unlike the M3 where the driver can program different sensitivities for the steering and throttle, the C 63 is set although there is a newly mapped three-stage ESP arrangement and there are three driving modes.Sport mode shifts gears 30 per cent quicker than in Comfort while Manual mode the cogs shift up to 50 per cent faster.The auto tranny is a trick piece of work which features a blipping function where extra revs are automatically delivered on downshifts so you can sound like Schneider on a qualifier at the Nurburgring.Optimisation of the exhaust system gives it the soundtrack not dissimilar the DTM car from which the C 63 is based and which has won an 61 races from 116 starts in the German Touring Car championship.The C 63 is the first AMG to carry unique front suspension geometry.The suspension is 100 per cent firmer.Picking the C 63 from the rest of the C-Class crowd is a cinch with flared front wings unique body styling bonnet power domes, a DTM-like rear with a black diffuser with integrated chromed twin tailpipes each side.The nose is distinctive although the grille is based on the Avant Guard while the dark tinted headlights give it a sinister look.An order-only C 63 AMG wagon, priced at $141,300 will be available from the third quarter this year.Australia will receive an initial batch of 350 C 63s with von Sanden convinced he could sell between 500-600 if he could leverage an extra quota from Germany.“'It is a big conquest opportunity for us,” von Sanden said.“I don't think we run the risk of cannibilising our products because of the price. AMG customers are less likely to be driven by price alone.”The options list is limited to an electric roller blind for the rear glass, a keyless-go driver authorisation system and AMG carbon fibre trim.Unlike the M3 which offers motorsport brake pads for a $2378.95 premium option, the C 63 has no such option.It is equipped with fade-resistant AMG high performance brakes with 360mmx36mm discs at the front clamped by six-piston callipers with 330mmx26mm discs with four-piston callipers at the rear.The C 63 will help total AMG sales to reach a predicted 1000 for 2008 with Australia in the top five countries globally for AMG sales per capita. On the roadFingers of flame reach outside the left front wheel and lick at the chrome spokes in a fiery protest at being abused for two laps.The fire from the brakes ignited seconds after a CLK 63 AMG came to rest at the entrance to the pit lane at Bathurst.Two laps earlier Bernd Schneider, Mercedes-Benz's long serving and highly decorated DTM and sports car racer, had taken some wisened motor scribblers for a scenic tour of Mt Panorama.Naughty Bernd didn't cool the brakes down like everyone else was instructed.“It's good to see you were kind on the brakes Bernd,” one quipped.“Well, you see, I had to warm them up just a little,” Schneider replied after circulating his first ever laps of the daunting 6.213km circuit at what mere mortals would term qualifying pace.Warm them up - man there was a veritable BBQ happening at the front of that C 63.Nonetheless it was a cool way to end what was a cool day in blazing early autumn heat.Earlier the family of AMG cars was available to drive with professional racing drivers offering valuable tutelage from the passenger seat on where to lift, where to brake and what lines to take, a crucial element particularly across the top.The focus of attention was the C 63 AMG which has just arrived for consumption in Australia.The master blaster of the C-Class range was at our disposal for a day of unpaced, unfettered laps on the most daunting piece of bitumen south of Germany's famous Nordschliefe.Bathurst was a fabulous place to gauge what makes the C 63 AMG tick.This big displacement V8 is quick - any car that disposes of one of the shortest and admittedly a more often than not irrelevant measurement (0-100km/h) in 4.5sec has to be rapid.The magic in the C 63 is in the palms of your hands, the tiller telling the story of supreme accuracy.There are simply no peers when it comes to steering feel, response and control.This is the most together AMG there has ever been, of that there is no doubt.What there is doubt on is whether it is better than BMW's M3 or the Audi RS4.Sure it is probably better in some areas where you don't need to back-to-back the trio to be sure, like torque no less.But to arrive at a final decision without such a high-powered comparo would err on the side of danger.What we do know is the C 63 is a compact stick of dynamite which delivers sledgehammer performance with go-kart handling qualities.The unique front suspension set-up aids the steering which has the most accurate feel of any modern-day hot rod sedan.Particularly at the straight ahead, the surety of the precision is a confidence-inspiring feeling especially when you approach the 250km/h speed restrictor down Conrod Straight.Around Bathurst the handling manners of the C 63 come under the microscope.After blasting up Mountain straight, the enormous reserves of torque, 500Nm of the full 600Nm are available from 2000rpm-6250rpm, put their hand up.Flexibility in this engine lifts it above rivals.Braking hard for Griffins and darting across for the apex there are at first traces of understeer which transfer to slight oversteer.But the whole process brings out a broad smile with the ESP only intervening after the rear has stepped out enough for the driver to feel a quarter of a turn of opposite lock.The 7G-Tronic AMG Speedshift Plus automatic gearbox has formed an intimate relationship with the 6208cc V8 engine.Shifts either via the gear lever or steering wheel mounted paddles are like lightning.Hug the left-hand apex at The Cutting, gently squeeze the throttle and the C 63 hunkers down, may be a trace of rear-wheel slip if you are too early on the power and then settle it for the relative fast run into Reid Park.From here the next five corners through Sulman and McPhillamy Parks and down to Skyline are the most exhilerating series of turns in Australia.Balance and body control of the C 63 are tested through here with the balance quite neutral and the entire affair pinned down neatly and tightly.Attacking the left-hander into Skyline, again it wants to understeer momentarily.Hard on the brakes for the first drop in descent, the C 63 steers obediently with some trailling brake down toward The Dipper.Squeezing the throttle for the run through some quick changes of direction and into the second-gear Forest's Elbow the C 63 remained composed.It is nice and stable under heavy braking and the handling remained remarkably controlled.Full throttle down Conrod, it hits the hump before entering the kink into The Chase and the ESP lit flashes up in the instrument panel.The car's 1730kg kerb weight lightens considerably here, triggering the stability system into action.Through the left and right of The Chase the C63 remains balanced but wants to break loose if you are too aggressive on the throttle on the exit.Hammering the brakes into Murray's corner the rear squirms to a degree before it settles down as you hare toward the left for the apex and use the kerb on the right for a swift exit to the finish.We did 40-odd laps over the course of the day at Mt Panorama and the underlining message from the C 63 was that it was an effortless yet razor sharp pocket rocket.There was no road drive so we'll have to wait until the test car arrives to accurately gauge the virtues of its ride quality in the real world.But for now the C 63 is very much a sleeping giant of the compact high performance brigade.*FOOTNOTE: The best timed lap from one of the 35 professional drivers was 2min35sec. Snapshot Mercedes-Benz C63 AMGEngine: 6208cc V8.Power: 336kW @ 6800rpm.Torque: 600Nm @ 5000rpm.Transmission: AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic 7 speed with paddle shifts.Steering: speed sensitive rack and pinion with steering damper.Wheels: front - 8Jx18-inch, rear - 9Jx18.Tyres: front - 235/40ZR 18, rear - 255/35 ZR 18.Dimensions(mm): 4726(l), 1795(width), 1439(h), 2765(wheelbase).Kerb weight: 1730kg.0-100km/h: 4.5sec.Fuel capacity: 66litres.Fuel consumption: 13.4litres/100km (claimed).Top speed: 250km/h (electronically restricted.

Someone needs to rewrite the book on German pocket battleships. So, let's start here, with the all-new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG. History twisted earlier this year when BMW dropped a V8 engine into its hotrod M3 to create a new German muscle monster, pushing the edge on a class that already included the high-calibre Audi RS4, but now Benz has really fired.Its new compact cannon has just become the car to beat, thanks to a thumping V8 and the sort of chassis development that has been missing from almost everything that has worn an AMG badge over the past 40 years.The German hot shop has done a great job on cruisers with straight-line muscle, but things got tougher and eventually turned to torture if the road started to take any serious twists. Power was king and V8 engines ruled. But not in the C63, which takes the seriously impressive basics of the new compact C-Class and twists them into a Porsche-fighter with four doors and luggage space.It is almost certain to trump the M3 and RS4. A local shoot-out won't happen until sometime after next March, when the C63 sedan (there will also be a special-order wagon) lands, with a price tag lined up close to the M3 in the $150,000 region.What makes the C63 so special is more than just 336 kiloWatts and 600 Newton-metres fed through a seven-speed auto to the back wheels. Or the 18-inch alloys and paddle shift and a 4.5-second sprint to 100km/h.Mario Spitzner, an AMG-Mercedes veteran who heads the company's worldwide marketing work, sums it up very simply. “It's the AMG go-kart, with this new V8 and also real comfort,” Spitzner says.The C63 follows a series of C-Class hotties but has a different approach born from extensive market research and (although no-one admits it) the strengths of the M3 V8 and RS4.“Performance is the overall concept. We wanted to get more emotion. Make it more involving,” Spitzner says. “The C-Class customers wanted it to be more aggressive. They wanted to show off what they have. And more sporty, and with real handling.”Spitzner even admits the shortcomings of the previous C-Class battleship, “In the C55, the engine was perfect but it was for the challenges of the straight road.”So the C63 is different, and AMG even detuned its V8 engine from the 386kW in the C63 because the extra power was unnecessary. Anyway, the power-to-weight ratio is better.It is wider in the track, the front end has been beefed to handle the V8 weight but retain suspension stiffness, the brakes have been tweaked and there are those giant alloys.Another key is the automatic gearbox, previously a weakness against rival companies' manuals, the SMG auto in the M3 and its upcoming twin-clutch manual. AMG now has three settings, with shifts speeded by 30 per cent between cruise and sport, and another 50 per cent into the 80-millisecond range; for full manual control.And Mercedes has, finally, given the driver control over traction control. They can choose to wind it back or dump it completely, although there is a safety over-ride that restores full electronics if the driver hits the brakes during a slide.Inside, the C63 obviously has sports leather bucket seats, paddle shifts for the transmission, a brilliant sports wheel and usual Benz luxury stuff, including satnav and auto aircon.A decision has not been taken for Australia, but a sports pack is also available for the C63; 19-inch alloys, ceramic brakes, limited-slip diff and a carbon fibre pack; inside and out.You know you are driving something seriously fast; when you can pull out and pass a Porsche with two gears to go and the speedo twisting fast beyond 200km/h on a de-restricted German autobahn. Okay, it was only a Boxster, but the C63 made it look like a Hyundai Getz.On the road the C63 is the real deal. It can do everything, from a gentle 30km/h rumble to a redline run to the horizon at 250km/h.But it does not feel compromised in any area, and that is a big breakthrough for an AMG car.The C63 is crisp, youthful and damn fast. Floor the throttle from a standing start and the traction-control light will flash as the car struggles to put its power to the road; do it at 80km/h and it is rolling thunder that makes overtaking a laugh.The engine is a thumper, but still refined and with torque and power that slams into action from just over 1500 revs. Unlike the M3, which needs a good rev to do its best, the hand-built AMG motor is always in range.The engine pulls happily to 7000 revs and makes maximum torque at 5000, but the real delight is that it makes big numbers almost all the time. And at 110km/h it is barely ticking over, which should be good for economy and emissions.Auto transmission is surprisingly sharp, the brakes are great, the quality basics of the new C-Class are reflected in all-round refinement and a cabin that stays quiet well beyond Australian speed limits.The suspension is firm but it's not sharp or intrusive. And, probably best of all, the C63 is a balanced package. You can arrive at a tightening corner and keep tracking without fuss, instead of pushing ahead in an earlier AMG car, which felt more like a lead-tipped arrow such as the six-cylinder Ford Cortina of the 1970s.What is not to like? You sit a little too high, although AMG is revamping the seat cushions to drop the driver a bit, and the giant alloys are going to be covered in brake soot very quickly.But that's about it, and even the exhaust has been tuned to give a rumbling snuffle when you lift the throttle. Because AMG can.Now we cannot wait to drive it on home roads for more than just a couple of hours, and to train its firepower on an M3 and RS4. SnapshotMercedes C63 AMG Price: estimated $150,000On sale: early 2008Body: 4-door sedanEngine: 6.2L/V8 336kW/600NmTransmission: 7-speed automaticPerformance: .... 0-100km/h, 4.5secs, top speed 250km/h (limited) The RivalsAudi RS4Price: $164,500Engine: 4.2L/V8, 309kW/430NmEconomy: n/a0-100km/h: 4.8 secs  BMW M3Price: $157,000Engine: 4.0L/V8, 309kW/400NmEconomy: 12.4L/100km (claimed)0-100km/h: 4.8seconds