C63 is one of the best wagon money can buy; looks; style; technology; performance
Trust us, we’ve been in this business for a long time and we know – there ain’t no downside
Yes that’s right, Car Showroom’s top score to-date – and it’s a wagon. But this is the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, the raucous 6.2-litre V8 projectile which displays the brilliance of the ‘Benz-AMG partnership…in station wagon form.
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Overview
You can imagine how the budgets of Mercedes-Benz Australia’s media moguls, David McCarthy and Jerry Stamoulis are constantly challenged – such a range of outstanding vehicles. However once a year they cut loose and provide us a brief taste of the company’s exclusive ultra-high-performance models.
That’s why the Car Showroom garage was graced for just a week by the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Estate with the optional Performance Pack. Without a doubt this is the world’s ultimate compact wagon (as the E63 AMG Estate is the world’s best mid-size).
Supercar performance matches wagon practicality thanks to AMG – and it’s a relatively exclusive club with only 12 per cent of C63 AMG sales accounted by the Estate model.
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Engine
Enhanced fuel economy was the focus in AMG’s development of the latest generation 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8. Maximum power for the regular C63 AMG is 336kW at 6800rpm and peak torque of 600Nm arrives at 5000rpm (the Performance Pack delivers an extra 22kW).
The Performance Pack brings forged pistons, conrods and the lightweight crankshaft developed for the gullwing SLS AMG sports car.
Fuel consumption has dropped by 10 per cent – down to 12.3l/100kms for the C63 AMG Estate as tested (12.0l/100kms for the sedan). Mostly that reduced consumption results from the introduction of the Speedshift MCT seven-speed automatic with ‘Controlled Efficiency’ mode and new power steering system.
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG The Interior
Apart from anything else it’s the inherent Mercedes-Benz quality which commands your attention when you climb inside the C63 AMG. Naturally there’s lots of leather, piano black and aluminium trim and you use electronic adjustment for the sports seats and thick D-shaped AMG sports steering wheel (alcantara grip area in Performance Pack models).
Reinforcing its exclusive nature, the TFT screen in the speedometer displays a full colour AMG logo.
There’s also new generation telematics – Bluetooth telephone directory transfer, wireless music reproduction and Comand Online with Google maps/3D display/virtual city views. Audio is a Harman Kardon system.
Rear seat accommodation is similarly up-market – of course leg-room in the C-Class isn’t massive.
And the luggage compartment naturally features multiple tie-down and secure hold-alls for your goodies.
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Exterior & Styling
AMG gets a strong start with the latest Mercedes-Benz C-Class estate one good-looking wagon. To that, AMG adds its hallmark styling enhancements which are subtle-yet-effective…and of course all oozing the quality look/feel which have long been the hallmarks of the ‘Benz-AMG’ collaboration.
In the case of the C63 AMG there is a whiff of the glorious SL63 AMG Roadster at the front with the AMG grille, front apron (lower cross member in black of course), DRLs and extra air ducts. There are also wider front wings, a new aluminium bonnet and clear-lens headlights.
The front fenders feature the tell-tale ‘6.3 AMG’ badges and wheels are massive18-inch five twin-spokes (a new design).
The rear also gets the AMG treatment, including twin chrome tailpipes.
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG On The Road
Sitting in our garage, the black-painted Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG recalled arriving at Berlin’s international airport – you know beyond that clipped, precise and perfect façade a huge blast of fun awaits.
Here’s one example: During our week with the ‘Benz C63 AMG – honest, we’re not making this up - we soon learned to leave the driver’s door open when we hit the starter button…just to hear the AMG-fettled 6.2-litre V8 erupt into life and instantly settle to a purposeful idle.
Because the reality is - whether you’re heading to your favourite road in the hills, hitting the freeway during the working week or just getting milk and papers from the corner store - every drive in the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG is pure delight.
Our peak hour trips to the city were no longer chores as the Black Beast sprinted us quickly into every available slot thanks to an unleashing of those 600Nm with lightning fast shifts from the seven-speeder and back-up from Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist etc. Once in the city and heading into car parks, sure - like all high performance cars - the C63 AMG’s low front spoiler did require consideration (although the reversing camera made parking a snack).
Predictably, the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG was a projectile on the open road. Tramp your foot in ‘S+’ or ‘M’ mode and things get brutal as only a genuine ‘Supercar’ can get – neck-straining acceleration as all that performance bursts into life, the massive 255/35R 18 rear tyres gripping the bitumen and the Speedshift transmission snapping-up the ratios in just 100 milliseconds.
But this is a Mercedes-Benz and supporting all that performance is just about every conceivable driver-aid technology (11 new systems in total) – for example, in the AMG Performance Pack, the high performance braking system with composite front discs. There’s also the improved AMG sports suspension (including even sharper spring and damper rates and more negative camber all-round).
Over our high speed mountain roads test loop, the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG was one of the most engrossing cars we’ve ever driven – and remember this is a station wagon!
The sounds as the seven-speed auto throttle-blipped the 6.2-litre V8 on down-changes, the massive stopping power of the AMG brakes, the pin-sharp precision on turn-in, sublime chassis balance and ridiculously high levels of grip and poise as you rapidly accelerate out of corners…wow!
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Challenges
Challenges with the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG? As tennis great John McEnroe put it: “You cannot be serious!”
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Verdict
When Mercedes-Benz and its performance partner AMG get together, it’s inevitable great things will result. You cannot buy a better high performance wagon that the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG…well, expect the larger E63 AMG.
The jaw-dropping looks inside and out are just the entrée to the fun which results when that 6.2-litre V8 springs to life sounding for all the world like a NASCAR race car. This thing is a weapon, no doubt about it, but the technology which supports all that performance is what makes the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG the best-of-the-best.
Great as all that is, there are the myriad details - which in our experience only ‘Benz and AMG know how to bring together – which stamp the C63 as very, very special. Things like the fine balance between brutal looks and style, the interior ambience, quality materials and the true high-performance driving position which is the relationship between steering wheel, seat and pedals (and takes time and money - two things new car development is always short of - to get right).
So given the style, the performance, the technology…well at $154,800 or $169,700 (Performance Pack) the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG is actually quite a bargain.
Mercedes-Benz C63 The Competition
The air is a bit thin this high up the totem pole. Maybe you might consider the Audi A7 Sportback. You’ll need $147,800 for the elongated A7, but in reality the Ingolstadt flyer isn’t really a wagon and its 220kW/440Nm supercharged V6 is a long way underdone compared to the Benz’ 358kW/600Nm V8…still a superb German stormer though.
Or if you really need to rapidly carry some cargo the Porsche Cayenne might be on your radar. We’re Porsche fans here at Car Showroom but even though we’ve asked Porsche several timers if we could test their cars, we haven’t even received a reply e-mail. Shame, but in any case, here’s some facts: you’ll need the range-topping Cayenne Turbo to eclipse the C63 AMG’s output (368kW/700Nm for the Cayenne) and at $248,600, that’s $78,900 more than the Performance Pack-boosted Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG.
