One of the most obnoxiously named cars in automotive history will arrive in dealerships nationwide this quarter. The 2024 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE costs $83,900 before destination, which adds $1,150 to the final price.
Except for a name that needs explaining to peeps who are not into all things four wheels, what are you getting for your hard-earned money? For starters, a four-cylinder lump with a Formula 1-inspired electric exhaust gas turbo. Clearly a downgrade from the twin-turbo sixer of the BMW M3, said engine breathes out through four exhaust outlets.
Even though a four-cylinder mill is downright offensive in this application, the M139l is a true AMG engine. Similarly, the S58 of the M3 is a true M engine. On its own, the M139l produces a hugely respectable 469 horsepower and 402 pound-feet (545 Nm) compared to 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet (550 Nm) of the M3's 3.0-liter TT I6.
The C 63 further differs from its main rival by means of a plug-in hybrid system that combines an electric drive unit and a high-voltage battery. The pack offers 6.1 kilowatt hours and supports anything between 94 and 201 horsepower, with the latter figure available for up to 10 seconds at a time. As for the electric drive unit, Merc says that it combines the electric motor, a two-speed transmission, and a limited-slip differential.
All told, the C 63 is advertised with 671 horsepower and a ridiculous 752 pound-feet (1,020 Nm) of tire-shredding torque. Merc promises 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour) in 3.3 seconds, onto a top speed of 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour). If you want to go any faster, you'll have to spend a bit more on a package that raises the limiter to 180 miles per hour (280 kilometers per hour).
Photo: Mercedes-AMG
Available in Standard and Pinnacle flavors, with the Pinnacle starting at $85,950 before freight and options, the C 63 S E PERFORMANCE features 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel drive with a rear-drive setting for all the oversteer that you could wish for in a performance-oriented sedan. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G also deserves to be highlighted because it replaces the 9G-TRONIC's torque converter with a wet start-off clutch.
Highlights further include 2.5 degrees of rear-wheel steering, adaptive dampers, composite brakes, dynamic engine mounts, Nappa leather on the steering wheel, a fancy audio system from Germany's Burmester Audiosysteme GmbH, ambient lighting to the tune of 64 colors, a 360-degree camera system, and a panoramic roof. The Pinnacle specification adds DIGITAL LIGHT with Projections, augmented video for the satellite navigation system, plus a head-up display.
Definitely a hard sell compared to the combustion-only M3, the C 63 S E PERFORMANCE has a zero-emission driving range of – get this – 13 kilometers (8 miles) in the WLTP. There is no EPA-rated estimate to speak of, at least for the time being. In any case, this plug-in hybrid was not designed to be as efficient as possible, but rather to be as quick as possible in a straight line. Of course, we all know that Merc went for the plug-in setup in order to improve emissions and fuel economy as well.
The C 43, which uses the very same powerplant in mild-hybrid form, is rated at 23 miles per gallon (10.2 liters per 100 kilometers) on the combined test cycle. There's no EPA rating for the C 63 at press time, but we do know that it's good for 6.9 liters per 100 clicks (34 mpg) in the WLTP. Bear in mind the WLTP is far more optimistic than the EPA's way of determining fuel economy. Also remember that the C 63 is way heavier than the C 43 at 2,165 kilograms (4,773 pounds) versus 1,840 kilograms (4,057 pounds) in their European specifications.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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