Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe

Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C63 S – Overview

After its initial debut in early 2016, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia launched the facelifted 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S together with the sedan version.

Fully imported from Germany, the 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S is priced at RM820,888 with sales tax, but reduced to under RM795,000 thanks to the sales tax exemption from June 2020.

This price range puts it in direct competition with the usual suspects- BMW M4, Audi RS5 Coupe, Jaguar F-Type and Lexus RC F. Only BMW M4 is regularly imported by its official distributor thus having an indicative and fixed price. 

Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C63 S– Exterior

The facelifted 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S has slightly updated the outlook of the front of the original vehicle launched in 2016. The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S gets the range-topping Multibeam LED headlamps with Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus next to the new Panamericana front grille with bold vertical slats.

The rear meanwhile features a new lower diffuser design with integrated exhaust tips. They might look hollow, but the sound from the AMG Sports Exhaust means business, with many saying it sounds better than a certain twin-turbocharged Italian-made V8 engine. 

The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S for Malaysia also comes with the AMG Carbon Package that has the front and rear bumper inserts, side skirts and side mirror covers in high gloss genuine carbon fibre. A massive panoramic moonroof is also fitted as standard on the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S.

Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C63 S – Interior

Dashboard

The dashboard of the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S has a simple T-shaped design that is highlighted by the three central air conditioning vents and the ‘waterfall-like’ console, similar to other C-Class models in the family. Since there is no floor-mounted shift lever, the space has been taken up by a large storage section with a lid.

In the 2019 facelifted Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C63 S see the latest 12.3-inch fully digital driver’s instrument cluster paired with the 10.25-inch central infotainment display. The dashboard and upper sections of the door panels are lined with Artico material (simulated leather) and contrasting double stitching. 

The central trim finisher is genuine carbon fibre and also reminds occupants they are in an AMG car via an ‘AMG’ emblem. Totally indiscreet. Another showpiece in the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S is the specially-made analogue clock in IWC design. It is nice to see a mechanical device in such a high-tech coupe with 510 horsepower.

Instrument cluster

The driver’s instrument cluster in the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S is the fully digital display measuring 12.3 inches. The instrument display is highly customizable, with three different themes, various driving information and other content. There is also an AMG specific theme and content such as performance AMG Track Pace data logging and engine parameters.

Changing and scrolling through the myriad of information is done via the capacitive touch-sensitive controllers on the nice-to-hold AMG Performance steering wheel. It is very intuitive after a few minutes behind the wheel. A head-up display with specific AMG content is also included in the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S.

Exclusive to Mercedes-Benz AMG cars with the AMG performance steering wheel is the customisable shortcut keys, made into the highest quality thanks to a coloured display. The AMG drive programs (Comfort, Sport, Race etc.) can be selected directly via the dial controller, with the LCD displaying the selection.

Space and practicality

The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S offers lots of headroom and legroom for the front occupant thanks to its high roofline. The rear meanwhile seats two and also have respectable space and properly sized seats. Similar to the C-Class sedan, the front armrest opens with a centrally split lid, allowing ease of use by both occupants.

The large storage space with two cupholders and room for smartphones see a wireless smartphone charger placed in there. The rear seat, for two, doesn’t have an armrest but there is a shallow storage compartment with two cupholders. As such, squeezing a third person in the centre is not possible. Added practicality in the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S is the 40-20-20 split-folding rear seats. Boot space is rated at 355 litres. 

Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C63 S – Features

Safety features

The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S continues to offer 7 airbags inclusive of a driver’s knee airbag. In terms of advanced safety systems, the super coupe gets Mercedes-Benz proprietary Pre-safe system, Adaptive Cruise Control, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Brake Assist (AEB) and Active Parking Assist with Parktronic, Active Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and a 360-degree Surround Camera system.

Comfort features

The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S gets a dual-zone automatic air-conditioning system with rear vents, ambient lighting with 64 shades of colours, beautiful AMG Performance front seats with memory function, adjustable bolsters and four-way lumbar support and Energizing Comfort cabin air purification and programming.

Nappa leather in red and black upholster the Performance sports seats of the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S. A nice feature of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is the automatic seat-belt presenter for driver and front passenger.

This mechanism reduces the strain from turning your back or overstretching your arms to reach for the seatbelts which are placed further away in a coupe. Two USB charging ports (Type C) are located inside the centre armrest for the front occupants.

Infotainment

The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S feature the upgraded digital cockpit with an enlarged infotainment display measuring 10.25 inches. Control input can be done via the large touchpad or the capacitive touch-sensitive pad on the steering wheel or even scripted voice commands. There is no “Hey Mercedes” and MBUX even during the facelift timing.

Smartphone connectivity is also available to both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The audio system in the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S gets the Burmester 13-speaker, nine-channel DSP 590-Watt amplifier with surround sound system presented in the intricately designed metallic speaker grilles. Engine noises are also pleasantly amplified with the surround sound system.

Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C63 S – Powertrain

Engine

For this generation of Mercedes-Benz AMG engines, gone is the naturally aspirated breathing, replaced with a downsized twin-turbocharged engine. The latest V8 engine from Mercedes-Benz AMG now only displaces 4.0-litre with outputs that eclipse the old 6.2-litre – 510 PS at 5,500 to 6,250 rpm and 700 Nm of torque from 2,000 to 4,500 rpm in the ‘63 S’ form.

The high-revving Biturbo engine (7,000 rpm) in the C 63 S comes with dynamic engine mounts, reducing vibration plus minimising energy losses by making the powertrain rigidly mounted. Minimised mass movements of the powertrain also means less corrective action needs to be taken by the driver when steering the agile Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S.

Sound is of importance to Mercedes-Benz AMG, where it is one of the top reasons customers choose this brand. As such, the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S comes standard with an AMG exhaust system with a variable flap.

Transmission

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a new 9-speed automatic transmission that was introduced during the 2019 facelift timing, replacing the older 7-speed unit.

Unlike the regular 9G-Tronic transmission, this AMG Speedshift MCT replaces the torque converter coupling with a wet multi-plate start-off clutch, ensuring even more immediate response and sensation. In manual mode, the transmission stays in the selected gear and does not automatically shift up when the engine hits the limiter.

Chassis

The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S has a bespoke chassis compared to the regular C-Class sedan and coupe variants. To accommodate the V8 engine and its accessories such as an increased capacity cooling system, the front section has been slightly extended, resulting in a longer overhang and a 60-mm longer bonnet.

Meanwhile, wider track widths at both ends equate to not only better stability and handling, but also a visual wow factor. As such, flared wheel arches make the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S 64 mm wider at the front and 66 mm wider at the rear compared to the regular C-Class coupe.

The body structure of the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S meanwhile has been reinforced in key areas including a strengthened rear axle sub-frame. As for tyre sizes, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe C 63 S comes with a truly staggered wheel sizing, with 19-inch at the front and 20-inch wheels at the rear axle. Tyre sizes are 255/35R19 at the front and 285/30R20 at the rear in conventional sidewalls (non RFT).

To ensure a stable and controllable rear axle as dictated by the driver’s intentions, fitted as standard is an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential (LSD). Delivering accurate amounts of torque to the outside wheel with more grip enhances traction and stability out of corners in the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S.

Electronically-controlled adaptive shock absorbers called AMG Ride Control with regular steel springs are standard, but what’s special about this facelifted 2019 Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S is the AMG Dynamics handling package, controlling the ESP stability system through different levels plus six AMG Dynamic Select driving modes including Race and Individual.

The amount of traction control intervention can also be manually selected through nine levels in the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S. Stopping power in the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S is meanwhile provided by 390 mm brake discs grabbed 6-piston calipers in front while the rear has 360 mm brake disc and single-piston calipers in red.

Drivetrain

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes-Benz AMG does not offer 4Matic all-wheel drive the C-Class Coupe C 63 S. 

Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C63 S – Driving Performance

Engine performance

The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S promises plenty of performance as well as noise from the Biturbo V8 with 510 PS and 700 Nm. 0 to 100 km/h is completed in just 3.9 seconds, with a top speed limited to 290 km/h. 70% of the AMG driving experience comes from the engine and this new Biturbo V8 engine does not disappoint the sensation of moving around in a Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S.

Thanks to its high amounts of torque, the V8 Biturbo engine feels eager in town, with a well-calibrated throttle ensuring it doesn’t lunge forward or abruptly. One barely use over half of the pedal’s range to commute in town, as there is so much power and response from the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S powertrain.

Transmission performance

The transmission now has nine ratios, with the first to second shifts being unnoticeable. The shifts of the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S AMG Speedshift transmission are smooth and well-calibrated. Comfort mode shifts up early, while Sport+ emphasis on fast shifting and red-lining the V8 engine for all the 510 horsepower.

Even in slow-moving traffic congestion, the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S behaves like a proper luxury coupe- smooth and refined without much discomfort. Once on the open road, manual shifting is done rapidly and downshifting even comes with promising exhaust burbles and pops.

Steering and handling

The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S comes with so much chassis technology, it is indeed the best handling and riding C-Class! It even rides better than the C300 Coupe with fixed sports suspension, and of course corners better. Although a longer front overhang, steering is still precise thanks to the bespoke suspension components and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres.

Agility has gone up a few notches in the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S, steering accuracy is close to a BMW M4, and the chassis and electronic controls are so well calibrated that they deliver power very effectively and progressively. The AMG Dynamic Select and AMG Dynamics handling control package in the facelifted Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S certainly takes plenty of credit for it. 

Although assistance the driver by applying braking, torque, suspension and rear differential locking, the AMG Dynamics handling package does it very smoothly and naturally. The new Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S not only goes really fast in a straight line, but also feel incredibly at home at corners and in Sepang Circuit. 

Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C63 S – Ride Comfort

Soundproofing

The soundproofing of the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S is not bad, given this is a proper AMG vehicle. The nice engine and exhaust noises are well audible in the cabin, but on a highway drive, tyre noise roar is acceptable given the performance level of the coupe.

Passenger comfort

In the aspect of passenger comfort, the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S is frankly more well suspended than the C300 with sports suspension. In the comfort mode of the adaptive AMG Ride Control shock absorbers, they do absorb shock and rough patches well, giving a firm but resolved damping sensation. The sports seats are however not the most comfortable, where felt as if it’s not sufficiently bolstered. They look really nice though. 

Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C63 S – Fuel Economy

The fuel consumption of the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S is rated at 10.3 litres per 100 km (9.7 km/L). Given the amount of performance and noise, this figure is fairly respectable. 

Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C63 S – Conclusion

The Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S is quite a surprise package given the previous models lack the agility and driving precision, while this latest edition delivers plenty of them. With such traction and noise, the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S is probably one of the best vehicles to enjoy going straight with.

Powerful brakes, a very stable rear end and precise steering also deliver plenty of fun and confidence to the driver to fully enjoy the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S. While it is a compact but heavy sports car at 1.8 tonnes, the Mercedes-Benz AMG C-Class Coupe C 63 S is still capable of doing long-distance driving as well as a fun trip to the shopping mall given its relatively comfortable chassis.