Brutal C-Class ditches V8 for 670bhp 2.0-litre hybrid
The new Mercedes-AMG C63 S has swapped its mighty V8 engine for a plug-in hybrid powertrain that produces 670bhp and a massive 752lb ft of torque. Yet it is also claimed to do 34 miles per gallon and emit just 156g/km of CO2. The new C63 will be available as before in saloon and estate guises. The Coupe versions to be replaced by the upcoming Mercedes CLE.
The new powertrain combines a 469bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder, an improvement of the unit found in the C43, albeit with a lower compression ratio to take more boost from the larger turbo, which in turn to minimize lag integrates an electric motor that runs off the 400V electrical system and helps the turbine spool up quicker, technology derived from the Mercedes AMG Formula 1 team.
Accompanying the combustion engine is a 201bhp electric motor on the rear axle, added to this is a 6.1kWh lithium ion battery, a two-speed gearbox and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential in one unit, for a sophisticated four-wheel drive system. AMG claims 0-62mph happens in 3.4 seconds, and the top speed is limited to 174mph.
The 469bhp 2.0-litre engine on its own is the most powerful four-cylinder currently in series production. The engine still drives through a nine-speed automatic gearbox with a wet multi-plate clutch.
With the battery being very small the C63 can travel on electric power for only 8 miles.
For this new generation, the non-S C63 base model has been dropped,
Visually, the C63 distinguished from the basic C-Class by a more aggressive front valance with the typical AMG grille and active shutters that open or close depending on the engine’s cooling demands, 76mm-wider front wheel arches hiding 19in or optional 20in wheels. The car is 50mm longer thanks to additional cooling hardware the bumper extends out more than on a standard C-Class. There are also unique AMG outlets on the bonnet.
At the rear, (fake) quad pipes appear again. 20-inch rims with Carbon-ceramic brakes and a carbon skirt / spoiler pack are optional.
Inside, there’s heaps of flashy graphics on the twin screens with some AMG touches, New toggles at the bottom of the wheel offer AMG-specific shortcuts to suspension, traction control, exhaust and powertrain modes.
You also have a choice of four levels of electricity-harvesting brake recuperation to choose between.
The new C63 tips the scales at 2111kg with all the electrification. For comparison, the BMW M3xDrive weighs 1780kg.
