This Mercedes Is a Supercar Killer That Grips Like Spilled Fanta on a Hot Summer's Day

On top of that, the build quality across the range needs improvement, as no one wants to pay a lot of money for a brand-new premium or luxury (yep, modern Maybachs are on the list, too) for a squeaky vehicle. Downsizing has led to the development of the first-ever four-pot C 63. The BMW M3 rival from the Stuttgart brand may be fast, but it lacks the appeal of its V8-powered predecessors.

The latest Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit and an electric motor mounted at the rear, which, in turn, takes its electrons from a 6.1 kWh battery pack. The total system output is 670 hp (680 ps/500 kW), and it develops 752 lb-ft (1,020 Nm) of torque. It has a top speed of 174 mph (280 kph) and can sprint to 62 mph (100 kph) in 3.4 seconds. The superior firepower compensates for the added weight, so it's just as fast as the M3 Competition xDrive.

This might sound like the kind of story that bashes the three-pointed star, but the truth is that it still offers some dreamy rides. Most of them are family-friendly, like the GT 63 S E Performance. The Affalterbach brand's four-door coupe (it's actually a five-door liftback) sits at the very top of the GT 4-Door Coupe (jeez, that's a really uninspiring name) family, and despite its spacious, luxurious, and tech-infused interior, it is a true supercar killer, as it's always ready to give full-blown exotics a run for their money.

Mercedes-AMG's GT 63 S E Performance is a great example of mixing old-school technology, like the V8 firepower, albeit with twin turbocharging, with the electrified future. As a result, it packs the ubiquitous 4.0L motor that steams out 630 hp (639 ps/470 kW). It also unleashes 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque. And if that's not enough, you should know that the electric motor, which also uses a 6.1 kWh battery pack, is good for another 201 hp (204 ps/150 kW) and 236 pound-feet (320 Nm) of torque.

The official spec sheet reveals that this machine boasts a total of 831 hp (843 ps/620 kW) and has just over 1,033 pound-feet (1,400 Nm) on tap. It uses a nine-speed automatic transmission to deliver the thrust to the 4Matic+ all-wheel drive system. The 62 mph (100 kph) mark is hit in 2.9 seconds after takeoff. It needs less than 10 seconds to 124 mph (200 kph) and has a maximum speed of 196 mph (316 kph).

Thus, it is just one-tenth slower than the mighty (and discontinued) Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, which is impressive for a four-door model, regardless of its power. Factor in the weight, nearly 5,250 pounds (2,380 kg), and everything becomes almost mind-blowing. The exterior design is aggressive, with the typical sporty bumpers and Panamericana grille, and the cockpit is not bad either, despite featuring the dual-screen system with a tablet-like positioning.

You also get lots of carbon fiber, ambient lighting, leather, suede, and a plethora of safety systems to aid you on your daily commute and at the racetrack, as this car is always ready to feast on apexes no matter if you're alone or with three of your close ones accompanying you. If we have opened your appetite for owning a Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S E Performance, then you should know that the pictured example is for sale and ready to be shipped worldwide.

It is a brand-new car with only the delivery miles on the odo, has a black exterior and red leather interior, comes with 21-inch wheels, and a host of options. The best part about it is that it hasn't been modified, as this is the OEM configuration. Hollmann International advertises it on its website here, and you may think that it is going to set you back some half a million dollars. But it's not. In fact, the asking price at the time of writing was €200,872, which equals a little over $215,000 at the current exchange rates.

Sure, that is still as much as a nice home in most parts of the Western world, but if you can afford it, you should go ahead and buy it. After all, you'd get a lot of car for the money, one that’s comfortable and spacious and ultra-fast to the point where you could always teach a thing or two to those pesky supercars. So, would you buy it if you could afford it? I would, as it would make for an awesome daily driver.