Hardcore Mercedes-AMG C63 S priced
With the updated C-class and its entry-level AMG equivalent, the C43, already on sale, Mercedes-AMG has now revealed pricing for the flagship C63 S that bowed in the run-up to the New York International Auto Show in March last year.
Like its smaller sibling, the exterior updates to the C63 are hard to spot and mainly consists out of a new AMG specific grille with high-gloss chrome louvers, Tantalite Grey standard 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with a sheen-finish, subtly updated side skirts, a redesigned diffuser and new twin exhaust outlets. Optional on the coupe only, the AMG Aerodynamics package adds an integrated lip spoiler with a Gurney flap, wider side sills, a bespoke front splitter and a high-gloss black painted diffuser.
Even more subtle is the interior that now sports the AMG Performance steering wheel trimmed in Dinamica micro-fibres as standard with a Nappa leather and piano key black lacquer, full Dinamica or Dinamica/ high-gloss carbon fibre finish optional, with other options consisting of the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, AMG Performance seats with built-in air cushions and a selection of new trim piece finishes.
More extensive are the updates underneath its skin where the servo assistance for the electro-mechanical power steering setup has been reduced at higher speeds with two modes available; Comfort and Sport, while the aforementioned exhaust system now comes with an integrated variable flap. In addition, dynamic engine mounts are now standard on all models along with an electronically controlled rear-axle limited-slip differential, while Adaptive Damping for the AMG Ride Control suspension, which comes with three modes; Comfort, Sport and Sport+, has also been made standard.
New to the range is AMG Dynamics that forms part of the six mode (Comfort, Slippery, Sport, Sport+, Individual and Race) AMG Dynamic Select, which varies the input of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system and Torque Vectoring thanks to four settings; Basic, Advanced, Pro and Master, the latter linked to Race mode which calls for the ESP to be switched to either ESP Sport or ESP Off positions.
Up front, the C63 S has been kept unchanged with the AMG GT-derived 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 again punching out 375 kW and 700 N.m of torque, which is send to the rear wheels via a nine-speed MCT gearbox that comes with three modes; Sport, Sport+ and Manual that allows for manual control to be taken via the steering wheel mounted shift paddles.
In terms of performance, both the sedan and coupe have their top speeds limited to 290 km/h and the cabriolet it’s to 280 km/h, with the 0-100 km/h dash for the former pair taking four and 3.9 seconds respectively. The drop-top meanwhile will dispatch the benchmark sprint in 4.1 seconds.
Sans options, pricing for the C63 S range starts at R1 546 600 for the sedan, R1 609 100 for the coupe and at R1 728 700 for the cabriolet.
