By Malusi Msomi

The new and controversial Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance has officially landed in Mzansi. After being announced back in September 2022, Mercedes-Benz South Africa has officially revealed pricing.

Distinctive AMG exterior design

Design wise, The new C 63S E Performance features AMG-specific design elements such as a Panamericana grille, a redesigned bumper with large air inlets, flics, and air curtains. A round badge with a black AMG emblem replaces the traditional Mercedes star with laurel wreath on the bonnet.
Additional exterior features include matching side skirts, standard 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with optional 20-inch and forged wheels, ‘C 63S’ badging with red highlights at the rear, a large rear diffuser, and quad trapezoidal exhaust trims.

AMG interior

Inside, the C 63S E Performance offers AMG sports seats with distinctive stitching, exclusive colors, and various nappa leather options with an embossed AMG emblem in the front headrests. The cabin includes a large touch display with MBUX infotainment system featuring AMG- and hybrid-specific displays and functions, a head-up display with AMG-specific styles like Race and Supersport, and an AMG Performance steering wheel in a twin-spoke design.

Hybrid powertrain

Unlike its V8 powered predecessor, it features a longitudinally mounted 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit (codenamed M139) from the A 45S and CLA 45S, producing 350kW and 545Nm. This engine is paired with an AMG Speedshift MCT 9G transmission and a belt-driven starter generator (RSG).

AMG’s secret weapon is a rear-mounted two-speed electric motor and advanced technology from the W13 Formula One car, earning the “E Performance” badge. The electric motor features a 6.1kWh AMG high-performance battery, providing a 13km electric range. The electric power in the C 63S E Performance achieves peak outputs of 150kW and 320Nm, with charging via a 3.7kW on-board AC charger.

The combined system output is an impressive 500kW and 1020Nm. The 0-100km/h sprint is achieved in a rapid 3.4 seconds, thanks to the fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive system. Top speed is capped at 250km/h, extendable to 280km/h with the optional AMG Driver’s Package.

Advanced features and tech

The C 63S E Performance comes with eight AMG drive programs (Electric, Comfort, Battery Hold, Sport, Sport+, Race, Slippery, and Individual), a performance hybrid drive, selectable four-stage recuperation, AMG Ride Control suspension with Adaptive Damping System, three-stage AMG parameter steering, and standard rear-axle steering of 2.5 degrees. However, this advanced technology results in a substantial weight, exceeding two tonnes.

Pricing

The new C63 S E Performance will set buyers back R2,476,800. The C63 S comes with a standard 2-year/unlimited kilometer warranty and 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.