2009 Mercedes C63 AMG Review

The Mercedes C63 AMG is a subtle performance sedan...until you turn the key. Fire it up, and it's instantly clear to anyone within a two hundred-yard radius that this unassuming-looking C-Class sedan has been to the high-performance wizards at AMG to have some work done, in a manner of speaking.

Everyone knows about the horsepower war between muscle cars like the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro, but a similar grudge match has been taking place for years in the sports-sedan market. BMW, Mercedes and Audi have swapped the lead as frequently as these super sedans' racing counterparts swap paint in various European touring car series.

Mercedes' weapon in this fight is the C63 AMG. As you might have already guessed by its name, this C-Class sedan has had AMG's all-aluminum 6.3 liter DOHC V8 shoehorned in under the hood. With 451 horsepower and a seven-speed paddle-shifted automatic transmission, this is a serious piece of automotive performance equipment. The hand-built AMG engine is not a modified Mercedes V8; in fact, it doesn't share any parts with the working-class engines. Variable valve timing keeps the power delivery rapid and smooth, and AMG has coated most of the 6.3 V8's internals with low-friction materials. Heavy-duty cooling ensures that the engine stays in its optimum operating range even on the track. The transmission is AMG's new SPEEDSHIFT system, which matches revs on downshifts to keep things stable when cornering. In plain English: it's very easy to drive the C63 AMG insanely fast. Mercedes claims a 4.3-second 0-60 run, and the C63 AMG tops out at 155, when an electronic limiter kicks in. A special AMG Performance package raises the limit to 186mph. The addictive roar from the quad tailpipes is accompanied by a sledgehammer blast of acceleration, barely held in check by the stability control.

One never expects a car that's practically track-ready to be this docile around town, but the C63 AMG is almost deceptively calm, except for that monstrous engine growl. Both front and rear tracks have been widened, and a special three-link front axle is designed for improved stability and front-end rigidity. It works; the C63 AMG is responsive and confident even at high speeds. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard, and track-worthy disc brakes measuring 14.2 inches in the front and 13 in the rear are clamped by six-piston calipers in the front to help bring the beast to a stop when the time comes. Mercedes' standard ESP stability control system includes three modes so the driver can reduce the system's intrusion on track days. Around the track, it's easier to drive the C63 AMG fast than a Camaro SS or Porsche 911--it's just that confidence-inspiring.

With all of that hardware underneath, it's a surprise that the C63 doesn't shout its mission in life with a wild body kit and special styling, but Mercedes keeps it subtle. A domed hood, widened front fenders, trunk spoiler and unique front fascia will be obvious to dedicated car spotters, but the average onlooker won't know what the C63 AMG is until the roar from the engine hits. The unique AMG light-alloy offset wheels are painted titanium gray.

Once inside the C63 AMG, things get a little bit wild. The racing seats with integrated headrests are so well-bolstered you'd think they were designed by corset-makers, and the flat-bottomed steering wheel can be finished in Alcantara faux suede. AMG cross-piping and lettering decorates the upholstery, and the instrument panel also includes special badging. A special display in the center console allows the driver to record lap times.

This monster C-Class is among the most extreme of AMG's already-impressive lineup, thanks to the giant engine shoehorned under the hood and the extensive work performed to make it a street-ready race car. At the same time, it's docile enough to live with--though only just. Serious enthusiasts only need apply, and the $57,175 price tag should keep most of the posers away.