2012 Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe
Vehicle: 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe with AMG Performance Pkg Plus and Premium Pkg
Price as tested: CDN$78100
Performance: The only thing this beast has in common with the original C-Coupe is the name itself. Its a radically different ride from what you have seen in an entry-level Mercedes coupe.
It all begins with hand-built AMG 6.3 liter DOHC 32-valve V8, which has advanced technologies right from variable valve timing to electronic throttle add to the mix to sweeten the pot. Given Mercedes AMG’s sweet engineering prowess on producing wonderful engines over the years, this V8 is certainly no exception. It all begins with 451 stallion for the healthy middle to upper ranges while 371 lb/ft of torque serves down below. It all does with engine note that has to be judged as one of the most entertaining in the industry. When launch the C63 AMG with Mercedes-esque heavy throttle, this compact coupe launched like a rocket without breaking a sweat. All you need to worry about is driver’s licence, as it would bring this hefty 1730kg Mercedes coupe to 100 km/h in about 4.5 seconds. Mated with this sweet powertrain is the equally compelling 7-speed Shiftshift, as in Mercedes’s equation for dual-clutch variety. Once again, the engineering has been very exceptionally done. Its able to heel-and-toe when driven up and downshifting, with a proper paddle shifters to override at any given gears. The ratios are perfectly matched to this beast’s performance characteristics, while 7th gear is tall enough to suit Mercedes’s well-honed cruising personality. If there is one drawback, it has to be the fuel economy. We had no less than 20L/100km during full throttle the whole day, with average of both city and highway driving.
Handling: Our C63 comes with the optional rear center differential, with ensures more stable and sharper turn-in when given it full exercise when beckoning the open roads and opening it up on the racetrack. Combined with C-Class’s world-class chassis engineering, which means excellently calibrated suspension and delicate damping of the springs. The result is a C-Coupe which is not only able to compete with anything else in its class. Its able to compete with anything above. That’s a rarity in Mercedes AMG’s underwhelming dynamic capabilities in the past. While the ride is firm and supple, it doesn’t punish the occupants like many harsh sports cars do. All have done with the usual Mercedes elegance, which is worthy of the tri-star emblem on the hood. Meanwhile, its ESP is uninstrusive enough as a Mercedes AMG. What is the most surprisingly fact is how delicate and responsive C63′s steering during off-center. I have never been a huge fans of Mercedes steering racks. But this is a dead giveway that Mercedes steering dynamics is improved significantly. The steering feel is prompt, responsive, delicate and provide great feedback to the driver. Wrapping up the whole dynamic equation is exceptional body motion control and minimal understeer before encounter oversteer. Its rear-drive near perfect weight distribution really paid dividend in this C-Coupe. My only wish for the availability of Mercedes 4-Matic AWD in anything AMG, is most drivers won’t have the skills they need to control such high-powered beast.
Brakes: With large 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, C63′s stopping distance and feel are world-class. The stopping distance is short, while pedal always feels firm and well-modulated. It doesn’t feel fade-free after lots of harsh stops, while ABS doesn’t step in unnecessarily.
Interior: Its best to leave C-Coupe as a 2-seater as rear seats are PITA to get into, despite its electronic front passenger seat assistance. Its lack of proper headroom and legroom pretty much give this away.
On the other hand, the use of materials on both dashboard and door panels are of very high-quality textures. There are plenty of soft-touch plastic with improved layout on the front. As with all Mercedes, it has one of the coolest radio graphic with its infotainment system. The AMG leather sports seats just plain scream ultimate in support and comfort while playing with the C-Coupe.
Conclusion: The wider fender flares and larger wheels have given C-Coupe more road presence than its rather bland base car. That’s about wrapping up this awesome C63 AMG. C-Coupe used to stand for cheap, slow and ugly. This C63 AMG changes everything with attitude. What seals the deal for me is the price. Even with our tester comes with the most necessary option packages, it remains very competitively priced. When you factor in both performance and handling, with the cachet of AMG, it represents one heck of a bang-for-the-buck.
Competitions:
Audi RS5
BMW M3
Cadillac CTS-V
OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe
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Performance: 5/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 5/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4.5/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 5/5
Overall rating: 5/5