mReview: Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance – A 680hp Philosophical Debate Without A V8

The latest Mercedes-AMG C63 is a big departure from the C63s of old, but does that make it a bad car? I don’t think so. 

After years of having fire-breathing V8s, the latest C63 AMG has a radically different powertrain, a 4-cylinder, turbocharged engine mated to an F1-derived hybrid system. The resulting product is one of the most polarising cars ever built.

Hardcore fans of the V8 screamed blasphemy when news broke that the latest C-Class to wear the 63 badge would have a hybridised engine with half the cylinders. “That’s not a real C63!”, exclaimed the masses. 

But, unlike me, what 99% of the masses have not had the chance to do is give the new C63 a try. And I think it’s brilliant. 

The 680hp, 1,020Nm cause of all the hooha.

To address the elephant in the room, yes, it has a turbocharged 4-pot instead of a V8, but this is no ordinary 4-banger. This 2-litre wonder is the most powerful production 4-cylinder engine ever made and produces a massive 469hp and 545Nm of torque on its own. That in itself is already a remarkable feat but this is the C63 AMG S E Performance, the same E Performance nomenclature used on the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 cars.

That’s because one of the highlights of this new C63 is its F1-style hybrid system. While the full explanation on how it works is beyond my feeble non-engineer brain, here are the basics. 

The matte black paint job really emphasises the AMG-aggro vibe.

Firstly, the hybrid system is able to recharge its battery by recapturing energy from the turbo in addition to the usual regenerative brakes, which means the C63 is able to charge itself while moving instead of just under braking. 

The battery is then able to feed three electric motors through a 2-speed gearbox that work in sync to drive all four wheels, serve as a spool aid for the turbo, and run the starter motor. 

It is a little sad that it doesn't say V8 here anymore.

The combined result of Mercedes’ motor magic is 203 extra horsepower from the rear-axle mounted motor, which brings the total combined output of the C63 to 680hp and 1,020Nm of torque. 

If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is. I used the onboard telemetry to record a 0-100km/h time of just 3.42 seconds, no mean feat for a car weighing 2.1-tonnes. The power delivery is immense, with everything seeming to come from everywhere, all at once. 

The all-wheel drive system combined with rear-wheel steer gives it stupid amounts of grip and neck-snapping grip on turn-in. During my road test, I managed to hit a rollercoaster-beating 1.2G in every direction, that’s both lateral and longitudinal, mind you. The 6-pot brakes shed speed expeditiously and the punch out of the corners is unbelievable. I have no doubt that, despite the weight, on a race track, this would be an absolute beast.

The 9-speed AMG multi-clutch gearbox is snappy and quick and cracks through the shifts without hesitation. Though the engine doesn’t sound great, there are some burbles and crackles in addition to the turbo and motor noises. 

A busy but functional interior.

And even though there is a biblical amount of power, the C63 is still able to switch personalities and drive calmly and quietly in Comfort or Electric mode. Granted, because the battery size is so small, it’s unlikely you’ll get very far on pure EV driving, but it is enough to get out of your neighbourhood and to the expressway without having to use the petrol engine. 

The ride quality in the C63 with its AMG Ride Control suspension is also surprisingly good even on the ever-rougher Singapore roads, noticeably more pliable and supple than, say, an M3 Touring or even Mercedes’ own GLB35. 

Naturally, with a top-of-the-line product like the C63, you get an interior that matches the price tag. AMG-spec trim and upholstery adorn the cabin, with carbon fibre accents galore. Dials on the steering wheel allow you to adjust your drive modes and other dynamic settings, and also let you feel like a racecar driver, of course.

I spent a long time mulling over the near philosophical dilemma that is this new C63 and I’ve concluded that Mercedes’ biggest mistake was giving it the “63” badge. If they had simply called it the Mercedes-AMG C-Class E Performance or something like that, there wouldn’t be anywhere near the level of backlash that they’ve had.

Red = Fast as we all know.

You cannot look at this car as a successor to the V8 AMGs of old, you need to look at it in isolation to properly appreciate it for the engineering marvel that it is, because the fact of the matter is that this powertrain is pure mechanical genius. 

The hybrid system might be complicated and expensive for sure, but it makes so much more sense to have a battery you can charge by merely driving, instead of having it run off the crank and causing extra fuel usage like in something like the BMW XM. 

Had this powertrain come out of the workshops of a Gordon Murray or a Christian von Koenigsegg, people would be hailing their technological genius instead, so why decry Mercedes for doing the same thing?

Sure, I love a V8 as much as the next guy, and I think this hybrid setup with a V8 would be bananas in the best way possible. That doesn’t change the fact that I still thoroughly enjoyed my time with the C63 because the fact is, it’s bloody impressive.

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