The Mercedes-AMG C63 wagon has been caught testing yet again and will soon be around to fight the likes of the BMW M3 Touring and the Audi RS4 Avant. Seen here testing in familiar camouflage, we can see hints of the Panamericana grille that is a fixture of AMG vehicles as well as the wider sills that are a fixture of performance vehicles everywhere. Big non-matching wheels, acting as stand-ins, are wrapped in tires with a distinctly low profile and surround great big brakes, as you’d expect.
Those will be necessary to slow this thing down since it will make a lot of power and, presumably, weigh quite a bit. As you’re no doubt aware, this generation of C-Class has dumped big displacement engines and the C63 will be powered by a 2.0-liter inline-four. The engine won’t have to go it alone, though.
According to a recent report from Auto Trader’s Rory Reid, who apparently got a look at the driveline, the engine will make a healthy 416 hp and will be aided by an electric motor that is expected to make more than 197 hp. All in, the power rating is expected to come in at 631 hp. All of those horsed under the hood will apparently mean a 0-100 km/h sprint of just 3.7 seconds. The electric motor and its associated battery pack will reportedly add 250 kg to the weight of the C63 sedan, though. On the other hand, they could give the plug-in hybrid up to 65 km of pure electric range.
No word yet on whether or not the model will be available in the U.S. BMW has opted not to offer the M3 Touring in the market, much to the chagrin of its fans. The current RS4 Avant isn’t offered in the U.S. either, which would make the C63 wagon a bit lonely in the market if it was offered, though that’s not always a bad thing. Maybe Mercedes fans should start a petition. No word yet on when Mercedes plans to unveil the new C63 (or the wagon).
