Putting the ‘sport’ into sports coupé is the C63 AMG Coupé, a two-door version of Mercedes’ popular C-Class saloon. It’s a potent machine in its own right, with a 6.2-litre V8 under the bonnet, channelling a rampant 457 horsepower to the rear rubbers. But why stop at 457 horsepower when, as a carmaker, you also sell the SLS AMG? This is significant because it uses the same V8 engine, only AMG tweaks the output further to 517 horsepower. There are sports coupés and then there’s the C63 AMG Coupé Black Series.
Adding the ‘Black Series’ moniker to an AMG car has, historically, singled it out for special treatment. It’s been done before, with past versions of the CLK and SL gaining a heap more power, an audacious bodykit and sizeable rear wing into the bargain. And for all Mercedes’ buttoned-up premium persona, Black Series cars have readily demonstrated the company’s hooligan side.
The good news: the C63 Coupé continues this fine tradition of delivering laugh-out-loud ballistic performance. But seriously, what do you expect from a car boasting Touring Car-like wide track, muscular wheel arches and an exhaust note with the potential to split solid rock at 50 paces? And the bad news? There is no bad news.
This dark-edged C63 Coupé presents a more muscular face to the world, what with its widened track, plethora of air intakes and beefy wheel and tyre combo. A C63 that’s been gorging on spinach Popeye-style, this isn’t a car for shrinking violets. And the extrovert theme continues inside, with competition-inspired bucket seats, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and an absence of rear seats — the usual sign that a company is serious about performance.
Realistically you won’t be able to tear around the mountain roads flat out in this car, which makes the driving and ownership experience as much about the aural and visual thrills as the C63’s outright speed. Still, if you’re brave enough to point it towards a track the numbers are deeply impressive. With considerable help from an engine greatly influenced by the SLS, this C63 Coupé will hit 100kph from rest in 4.2 seconds and bully its way to an electronically limited 300kph. Taking it easy results in an agreeable 10.1 litres-per-100km and, despite the monster power on offer, the car’s CO2 rating is a supercar-sensible 286g/km.
Predictably, a machine like the C63 is all about the driving experience, and this C-Class on steroids doesn’t disappoint. You could never class an AMG car as a quiet, reserved option, and this particular example couldn’t be further from the clichéd ‘velvet punch’ description if it tried. Bold, brash and loud on start up, its hard-edged and deep-throated exhaust roar accompanies you everywhere.
The compact steering wheel delivers a direct, accurate experience that’s full of feedback, while the seven-speed auto gearbox is surprisingly quick. The comfort-sport switchable system works well, resulting in some very aggressive shift behaviour for when you’re really pressing on, plus the chunky paddles allow for full manual control if you want the complete DIY experience. An AMG mode allows you to further personalise the gearbox modes and traction control to your liking.
Tested in ‘Track Pack’ guise complete with aero kit, trick tyres and an oversize rear wing the C63 successfully pulls off the road-legal DTM racer look. You’re only ever likely to feel the benefit on track, but it’s easily worth the six-figure price tag even for the road as the C63 crackles, pops and barks its way into your heart as it chews up and spits out the road ahead of it.
Despite the obvious track focus, AMG’s engineers have endowed the car with a ride that’s sophisticated enough to cope with major road imperfections yet ensure pitch and roll have been kept to a minimum. And it really is a case of any gear, anywhere, anytime when it comes to making progress. Packing the trick bits from the SLS, the C63’s engine delivers epic levels of acceleration thanks to its huge reserves of power and torque.
That said, this isn’t a car that’ll hold your hand through the corners. There’s plenty of grip when you need it, but drive the C63 like an ape and it will bite. Fortunately the stability systems help rather than hinder, but turn them off and you’ll need to be quick. Still, AMG cars have always been hooligan machines and all this Black Series Coupé does is kick it up a notch. Or three.
By definition, Black Series cars are rare beasts thanks to their short production runs, which makes the experience that bit more special when you get the chance to grab the wheel. The SLS might be Mercedes’ glamorous halo model, but this C63 is the real deal when it comes to delivering more accessible thrills on our crowed roads. Visually, aurally and physically entertaining, it’s a sports coupé like no other.
