By Otsile Kadiege

After countless teasers and renderings surfacing on the internet, Mercedes-AMG has finally lifted the veil off the much-anticipated C 63S Sedan and Estate. One of the newcomer’s biggest talking points, which had petrol-heads tongues wagging, is the new engine sourced from the A 45S AMG. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the thunderous V8 powerplant is no more.

Four-pots of fury

Before you grab your pitch forks, Mercedes-AMG have a trick up their sleeves to make the new C 63S much more powerful than before. Now, before we expand further on the latter lets unpack some details of the longitudinally mounted ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) powerplant. It’s basically a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine (codenamed M139) sourced from the A 45S or CLA 45S if you like. The four-cylinder unit develops 350kW at 6725rpm and 545Nm is available at 5250 – 5500rpm. The engine is paired with an AMG Speedshift MCT 9G transmission (MCT = Multi-Clutch Transmission) and a belt-driven starter generator (RSG).

The trick up AMG’s sleeve comes in the form of a rear mounted two-speed electric motor and a few gizmos sourced from the W13 Formula One car hence the “E Performance” badging. The former has 6.1kWh AMG high-performance battery good for a claimed 13km electric range. In terms of power and torque the C 63S E Performance has peak outputs of 150kW and 320Nm respectively.  Charging is via the 3.7kW on-board AC charger, at a charging station, wallbox or household socket.

According to Mercedes-AMG the C 63S E Performance the total system output is a whooping 500kW and 1020Nm. Affalterbach’s new high-performance compact executive sedan has a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of just 3.4 seconds for both Sedan and Estate variants thanks to the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system. Top speed is capped at 250km/h on both vehicles, however with the optional AMG Driver’s Package in the Sedan allows it to reach up to 280km/h and 270km/h in the Estate.

Other noteworthy features include eight AMG drive programs (Electric, Comfort, Battery Hold, Sport, Sport+, Race, Slippery and Individual), a performance hybrid drive which can control the traction of one wheel instead of ESP, selectable four stage recuperation, AMG Ride Control suspension with Adaptive Damping System and three-stage AMG parameter steering and standard rear-axle steering of 2.5 degrees. All of these tech comes at a price though. The C 63S E performance weighs over ludicrous two-tonnes!

AMG-specific exterior design

On the looks side of things the new C 63S E Performance is instantly recognised as a full-blown AMG model thanks to more muscular proportions. Up front the new C 63S E Performance sports a signature large Panamericana grille and a newly designed bumper with large air inlets flics, and air curtains which direct the airflow specifically to its various functions. New to the high-performance C-Class is a round badge with a black AMG emblem which replaces the Mercedes star with laurel wreath on the bonnet. Also new to the C 63 S E Performance are two electronically controlled Air Panels (behind the radiator grille and in the front apron) allow the air to be regulated as required.

The newcomer boasts matching side skirts, standard 19inch AMG light-alloy wheels and mixed tyres (optional 20-inches and forged wheels). At the rear it sports ‘C 63S’ badging with red highlights, a large rear diffuser and quad trapezoidal exhaust trims.

AMG-Specific interior

Inside, the new C 63 S E Performance sports AMG sports seats with special upholstery layout and a distinctive stitching pattern, exclusive colours and various nappa leather upholsteries with an embossed AMG emblem in the front head restraints, a large touch display with the brand’s MBUX infotainment system which includes various AMG- and hybrid-specific displays and functions, a  head-up display which also offers AMG-specific display styles such as Race and Supersport and an AMG Performance steering wheel in twin-spoke design to name a few.