Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance 4Matic+ Review: No V8, No Problem

The C 63 was always an iconic sports sedan because it came with a V8, first a naturally aspirated one, then a turbocharged one. But with the latest generation, Mercedes ditched the V8 in favour of a hybridised four-pot. Is it the right move?

Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance 4Matic+ Review: Engine & Performance

Well if you’re after that V8 sound, you’re gonna miss that but this has crazy amounts of power and you’re gonna have so much fun. In-gear acceleration is great as it just keeps on going and going and going. And handling is insane too; it has very tight turns. The suspension has been tuned very nicely and there’s a good amount of grip. Holding you onto your seats are these crazy good performance seats that barely make you feel any kind of body roll. Not that there is any kind of body roll but it is just crazy good!

That’s because the latest C 63 uses a 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-pot that churns out 469 bhp and is coupled with a 201 bhp electric motor. This results in 670 bhp and a staggering 1020 Nm! And Mercedes claims 0-100 kmph is achieved in 3.4 seconds. So yes, going the plug-in hybrid route has been a great choice for the C 63! And since this is a hybrid, you can also drive it in electric mode and do your bit for the environment. Even if it is for a little bit, thanks to its 6.1 kWh battery. 

Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance 4Matic+ Review: Ride Quality

The reason we’re driving this new C 63 on the track is that this is a track-oriented car which can be occasionally taken out on the road. But it won’t be very comfortable though. And since we couldn’t drive the car out of the track, we’d reserve our comments on how it’ll behave till we have the chance to. But given how taut the suspension is, there’s a slim chance it’ll be extremely comfortable. 

Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance 4Matic+ Review: Design

The C 63 is as extreme and hardcore as the C-Class can get so of course the aero upgrades on this are also borderline extreme. There’s a bigger splitter up front, you get a functional air vent on the bonnet and those blacked-out alloy wheels look amazing. Even the side skirts are quite pronounced but the C 63 lets you know it means business when you come to the back. The diffuser is massive and so is that big lip spoiler. 

But all the red accents that you see are part of the special F1 Edition which is a limited-run edition. Sadly you may not be able to get your hands on one when you buy a new C 63. 

Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance 4Matic+ Review: Interior

Move on to the inside and its extreme nature is quite evident. The seats are firm, there are loads and loads of red accents everywhere. Even the weave of the carbon fibre has red in it. Then of course there’s the standard AMG treatment with the steering wheel, the racing bucket seats, red seatbelts and the AMG-specific settings in the infotainment system like the Track Pace which has the Buddh International Circuit built in!  

Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance 4Matic+ Review: Verdict

The C 63 is a brilliant car with ample performance and sexy looks, making it a great addition to your garage. What makes it special is the fact that Mercedes-Benz India will import this in limited numbers. But if you don’t want a hybrid four-cylinder sports sedan, you can get the new BMW M4 CS which is just ₹6 lakh cheaper but comes with two extra cylinders and two fewer doors. And that looks equally menacing if not more. 

But if you still want a high-performance C-Class but won’t really be using it on the track, save ₹1 crore and get the C 43 AMG. 

Photography: Apoorv Choudhary