Photo: Image edited by autoevolution
Coming out with a new name, new engine and even a new body style, the new Mercedes-AMG C 63 takes over where the old Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG left off, taking an evolutionary step towards a more sustainable future. Apart from all those, this is also the true rival the F80 M3 was waiting for and we’re going to take a closer look at the two to see how they stack up against each other.
From the outside, the C-Class will win a comparison with the current 3 Series, hands down. That’s for the standard sedan, though. When it comes to the hardcore AMG and M models though, things are a bit different. Sure, it’s a matter of taste but the M3 seems to be making up for the failure of the 3 Series in this department.
Inside, it’s the same story, with the C 63 showing a better design, one that seems more on par with the 21st century. The old look the M3 still uses is basically an evolution of the same things we’ve been seeing inside Bimmers for the last 10 years or so.
In order to get the proper power needed for the new M models, they applied two identical turbochargers to it, forcing it to make 431 HP and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque. The mono scroll chargers also make sure turbo lag is almost nonexistent.
On the other hand, AMG went with a 4-liter V8 that also uses two identical turbochargers. While it is 30% bigger than the S55 unit used on the M3/M4 duo, the new plant is 2.2 liters smaller than the one used on the old model.
Making 476 HP and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque in the standard C 63 guise and 510 HP and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque for the C 63 S model, the Merc definitely has the win here. However, the M3 makes up for it in the weight department.
The European unladen weight takes into consideration the total weight of the car with a 68 kg (150 lbs) driver, 7 kg (15 lbs) of luggage and the fuel tank filled 90 percent.
That means the BMW is 80 kg (176 lbs) lighter than the Mercedes when both of them are fitted with automatic gearboxes. The M3, however, is also available with a manual 6-speed that is even lighter but in that case, straight up performance is affected.
Despite having less power at its disposal, the BMW is quoted being capable of reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.1 seconds, exactly the same as the 476 HP Benz. The manual M3 is 0.2 seconds slower, rated at 4.3 seconds. All of them also have the same electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
At the moment, Mercedes is also offering a Touring model that’s a bit heavier and a bit slower but the real challenge will come when a Coupe is released, a proper rival for the M4. Until then, we’ll just have to watch from the sidelines as the M3 and C 63 trade blows.
Inside, it’s the same story, with the C 63 showing a better design, one that seems more on par with the 21st century. The old look the M3 still uses is basically an evolution of the same things we’ve been seeing inside Bimmers for the last 10 years or so.
3-liter vs 4-liter, inline 6-cylinder vs V8
When it came to the engines, the philosophies the two performance divisions went with were quite different. BMW’s Motorsport team decided to go back to the inline 6-cylinder configuration used in the E36 and E46 models and drop the V8 used in the old E92 M3.In order to get the proper power needed for the new M models, they applied two identical turbochargers to it, forcing it to make 431 HP and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque. The mono scroll chargers also make sure turbo lag is almost nonexistent.
On the other hand, AMG went with a 4-liter V8 that also uses two identical turbochargers. While it is 30% bigger than the S55 unit used on the M3/M4 duo, the new plant is 2.2 liters smaller than the one used on the old model.
Making 476 HP and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque in the standard C 63 guise and 510 HP and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque for the C 63 S model, the Merc definitely has the win here. However, the M3 makes up for it in the weight department.
What about the weight?
The unladen weight of the M3 (that includes the driver, luggage and fuel in the tank) is rated at 1,635 kg (3,604 lbs) for the ones fitted with 7-speed DCT gearbox. On the other hand, the C 63 tips the scale at 1,715 kg (3,781 lbs) in the same conditions.The European unladen weight takes into consideration the total weight of the car with a 68 kg (150 lbs) driver, 7 kg (15 lbs) of luggage and the fuel tank filled 90 percent.
That means the BMW is 80 kg (176 lbs) lighter than the Mercedes when both of them are fitted with automatic gearboxes. The M3, however, is also available with a manual 6-speed that is even lighter but in that case, straight up performance is affected.
Similar times to benchmark speeds
Since BMW doesn’t offer an upgraded version of the M3 and M4 just yet (even though we’re expecting the new M4 GTS to offer such an alternative), the only valid comparison here will be between the M3 7-speed DCT against the C 63 7-speed MCT.Despite having less power at its disposal, the BMW is quoted being capable of reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.1 seconds, exactly the same as the 476 HP Benz. The manual M3 is 0.2 seconds slower, rated at 4.3 seconds. All of them also have the same electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
At the moment, Mercedes is also offering a Touring model that’s a bit heavier and a bit slower but the real challenge will come when a Coupe is released, a proper rival for the M4. Until then, we’ll just have to watch from the sidelines as the M3 and C 63 trade blows.
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