The hybridized Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance has finally touched down on Aussie shores and will start to reach the hands of customers in January. Unsurprisingly, it is quite pricey. Mercedes has confirmed that the new super sedan will set back local shoppers AU$ 187,900 (US$ 123,100) before on-road costs. That makes it AU$ 19,724 (US$ 12,900) more expensive than the previous-generation C 63 but given all of the extra power and performance offered by the new model, we doubt interested customers will be too concerned by the price hike.
Plenty of other developments make the new
car more capable than its predecessor. For example, it has all-wheel drive as
standard and can hit 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds and can be driven at
speeds of up to 125 km/h on electric power alone. Mercedes engineers
have also installed a rear-axle steering system that can turn the rear wheels
by up to 2.5 degrees at speeds below 100 km/h and up to 0.7 degrees at speeds
over 100 km/h.
Whereas the old model was powered by AMG’s
beloved 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, the new-age C 63 S E Performance relies
on a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces an extraordinary 469 hp and 545 Nm of torque, making it the world’s most powerful
four-cylinder production engine. The car receives additional grunt from an
electric drive unit at the rear axle, resulting in a combined 671 hp and 1,020 Nm.
The trick all-wheel drive system works
alongside a nine-speed transmission and includes a Drift Mode which increases
the amount of power fed through the rear wheels. High-performance brakes
consisting of six-piston front calipers and single-piston rear calipers also
come standard as does AMG Ride Control with the Adaptive Damping System,
promising the perfect mix between comfort and dynamic handling.
Like all other Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold
in Australia, the new C 63 S E Performance comes with a five-year /
unlimited-mileage warranty. Order books opened on December 7.
