Mercedes-Benz C63 vs Alpine A110
What's the difference?

Mercedes-Benz C63

$91,888 - $149,800

2021 price

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Alpine A110

—

2019 price

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Summary

2021 Mercedes-Benz C63

2019 Alpine A110

By Matt Campbell

By James Cleary

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Twin Turbo V8, 4.0L

Turbo 4, 1.8L

Fuel Type

Premium Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

10.3L/100km (combined)

6.2L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Amazing power
Addictive sound
Impressive to drive in most situations

Dynamics
Drivetrain
Design

Dislikes

Price is high
Still not 100 per cent on the Coupe’s looks
No applicable ANCAP score

Impractical
Modest safety tech
So-so warranty

2021 Mercedes-Benz C63 Summary

If you know the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S, you know it’s a hardcore V8 thumper with little in the way of bashfulness. It’s a brawler. A beast.

Now there’s an even more eye-catching AMG C 63 S Coupe, which we’re testing here. It’s the Aero Edition - a collector’s version of the current-generation C 63 S Coupe with a bit more visual bling that also helps it stick to the road better.

It is a local area special edition, with only 63 examples to be sold across Australia and New Zealand. And if the rumours are true, the next-generation will see the V8 engine in danger of being axed in favour of a hybrid, high-performance four-cylinder version. Say it ain’t so!

Well, if the CarsGuide crystal ball turns out to be right, maybe one of these C 63 S Aero Editions is worth getting in your garage quick-smart. Or is it? Let’s go through the criteria and see how it stacks up.

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2019 Alpine A110 Summary

Dieppe. A pretty seaside community on the northern French coast. Established a mere thousand years ago, it's copped a hammering in various conflicts, yet retained its beautiful 'marine promenade', a handy reputation for top-notch scallops, and for the last 50-odd years, one of the world's most respected performance carmakers.

Alpine, the brainchild of one Jean Rédélé - racing driver, motorsport innovator, and automotive entrepreneur - is still located on the southern edge of town.

Never officially imported into Australia, the brand is virtually unknown here to all but committed enthusiasts, with Alpine having an illustrious rally and sportscar racing back-story including victory in the 1973 World Rally Championship, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1978.

Rédélé was always committed to Renault, with the French giant eventually buying his company in 1973, and continuing to produce brilliant, lightweight road and racing Alpines until 1995.

After a close to 20-year hibernation, Renault reanimated the brand in 2012 with the stunning A110-50 concept racing car, and then the two-seat, mid-engine machine you see here, the A110.

It's clearly inspired by the Alpine of the same name that wiped the rallying floor clean in the early 1970s. Question is, does this 21st century version build or bury that car's iconic reputation?

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Deep dive comparison

2021 Mercedes-Benz C63 2019 Alpine A110

Verdict

The Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Aero Edition is an absolute beast of a car, but it comes at a pretty hefty price. Yes you get a lot of performance, and the fact there are only 63 examples being made for Australia and New Zealand could be enough to get you to sign on the line. For me, though, if I was after a C 63, it’d have to be a wagon. It doesn’t need an Aero pack to look better.

Verdict

Don't let the overall score fool you. The Alpine A110 is an instant classic. While practicality, safety and ownership costs don't set the world on fire, it delivers a driving experience that makes everything right with the world every time you get behind the wheel.

Mercedes-Benz C63 vs Alpine A110 What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Mercedes-Benz C63 vs Alpine A110
What's the difference?