The new Mercedes-AMG C63 coupe looks angry. From the voracious air intakes to the frowning hood and from the superwide fenders to the rear diffuser, its looks convey a sense of barely concealed aggression. And we’re not surprised: This is an automobile that will be forced to spend a large portion of its life traveling roads with speed limits, driven at a fraction of its capabilities. Talk about a tortured soul.
Its predecessor was long a favorite of ours, because Mercedes and AMG were insane enough to stuff a massive 6.2-liter V-8 under the hood of a C-class coupe. The new one gets an even more capable, if less exotic, engine: AMG’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, a powerplant that will drive the rear wheels with 469 horsepower in the AMG C63 coupe and 503 horsepower in the AMG C63 S coupe. AMG says it will charge to 60 mph in less than four seconds and top out at a governed 155 mph; the S model hits an electronic wall at 180 mph. This is the same engine that powers the AMG GT, and which propelled the C63 S sedan to 60 in 3.9 seconds in our testing.
As important as straight-line performance is in the land of the unlimited autobahn, AMG is moving to emphasize handling and cornering ability. The multilink front and rear suspension is entirely redesigned; the AMG’s rear setup doesn’t share a single part with that of the regular coupe. There is a specific rear-axle carrier, and with optional carbon-ceramic front rotors and forged wheels, unsprung weight has been significantly reduced.
The AMG C63 comes with a mechanical limited-slip differential; the S swaps that out for an electronically controlled diff and also gets active engine mounts that stiffen or relax depending on the driving situation, just like the AMG GT and the Porsche 911 Turbo. Tire and wheel sizes are 225/40R-18 front and 285/35R-18 rear for the starter model and 255/35R-19 front and 285/30R-19 rear on the S.
The C63 AMG coupe has a far more sensual and contemporary shape than did its predecessor. What’s stunning is the amount of sheetmetal differentiation between this car from the regular C-class coupe. Only the doors, roof, and trunklid are shared, although the trunk does add a visible lip spoiler. The C63’s unique front and rear fenders contribute to making it 2.5 inches wider up front and 2.6 inches broader at the rear.