Do you remember the good old days when Mercedes' premium compact models (ahem, the C-Class) were available with a great V8 engine under the hood? Why, of course, you do. After all, it hasn't been that long since they've stopped giving them this treatment.
Sure, the new one may be punchier than ever, but having an electrified 2.0L four-pot doesn't sound that exciting next to a V8, no matter how much power it has. Thus, DarwinPro Aero has reminded us of an era when the Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG still featured a naturally aspirated V8 with one of their latest projects.
Based on the W204 generation, this car started life in the C 63 AMG form. It used to sport a white look, yet its owner wanted something different for it. Thus, they reached out to DarwinPro Aero's Chinese partner, iCarMix, to have it painted yellow and fitted with a widebody kit that, if you don't love, then you should have your petrolhead license revoked.
The reason is simple: this premium compact sports coupe mirrors the look of the iconic Black Series from the same generation. Did you notice the new front and rear bumpers, complete with the correct add-ons, including the chin spoiler and rear diffuser? Yep, they've all been inspired by the W204 Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Black Series. And so were the fender flares, side skirts, and the wing mounted on the trunk lid.
Photo: Instagram | darwinproaero
It features the correct vents, too, in all the right places, and since the original wheels are not exactly easy to come by, it has different ones, with a Y-spoke pattern and a slightly larger diameter. Crossed-drilled brake discs with silver calipers can be seen behind them, and this car also sits closer to the asphalt courtesy of the new KW suspension.
Most add-ons were made of carbon fiber to keep the car's weight down, and the entire project is said to have taken months to complete. There's no mention of the engine, yet the stock C 63 AMG from this era packed a 6.2L V8 that was good for 451 hp (457 ps/336 kW). The Performance Package Plus increased the output to 480 hp (487 ps/358 kW), with everything going to the rear wheels through a 7sp auto 'box. The Black Series had 510 hp (517 ps/386 kW) and took in the low-4s to hit 62 mph (100 kph).
We're not usually fans of anything that bears DarwinPro Aero's signature, but this is a great project that deserves a round of applause. The car in question looks great, so they've certainly outdone themselves. Hopefully, they're on the right path to becoming known for their fancy modified vehicles instead of the flashy ones that they normally make. Congrats, guys!
After a series of unfortunate events put an end to Cristian's dream of entering a custom built & tuned old-school Dacia into a rally competition, he moved on to drive press cars and write for a living. He's worked for several automotive online journals and now he's back at autoevolution after his first tour in the mid-2000s. Full profile
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