Mercedes-Benz has finally launched the new AMG C63 S E Performance in South Africa after nearly two years of anticipation.
The high-performance saloon is now available for the sum of R2,476,800, and each purchase carries a 2-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and a 5-year/100,000km maintenance plan.
Packed with technology
The latest creation from Mercedes’ racing division to arrive on our roads is driven by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 350kW and 545Nm, which receives assistance from an Electric Drive Unit (EDU) over the rear axle.
This hybrid powertrain grants access to an incredible 500kW and 1,020Nm, allowing the C63 to rocket to 100km/h in just 3.4 seconds.
Its top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h (280km/h with the AMG Driver’s Package), and the saloon’s power makes contact with the road using all four wheels thanks to a 4Matic all-wheel-drive system and a nine-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
The electric motor provides 150kW by itself, and its position over the back end ensures a balanced weight distribution, said the carmaker.
The e-motor helps to boost acceleration and is paired to an electronic two-speed transmission and limited-slip rear differential.
If a slip occurs at the rear axle, the e-motor’s power is transferred to the front wheels for more traction by way of a propeller shaft.
An electric actuator engages the e-motor’s second gear at speeds around 140km/h, and the motor itself has a maximum rotation speed of 13,500rpm.
Powering the e-motor is a high-performance lithium-ion battery that was inspired by technology pulled from AMG’s Formula 1 hybrid racing cars.
The 400-volt battery only has a capacity of 6.1kWh, affording an all-electric driving range of 13km for trips around town.
Another notable aspect of the C63’s powerplant is its direct cooling system, which uses a non-conductive liquid to cool all 560 cells in the battery individually.
Unlike conventional cooling systems, which use airflow to reduce the temperature of water adjacent to the battery, this direct cooling model uses 14 litres of liquid that circulates using a special pump and flows through an oil/water heat exchange directly hooked up to the power supply.
The result is a consistent operating temperature of 45 degrees Celsius regardless of charging conditions, avoiding the risk of the cells ageing prematurely due to heat exposure.
The Mercedes is also equipped with regenerative brakes, and eight driving modes including Electric, Battery Hold, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Race, Slippery and Individual.
These modes adjust the e-motor’s boost, battery usage, transmission, steering, chassis damping, and sound of the AMG, and are reflected with different displays on the digital driver display.
In Electric mode, two speakers and a sound bar at the rear of the car play a modulated engine tone as a legally required method of alerting pedestrians to its presence.
Also fitted as standard is a set of AMG compound brakes and the AMG Ride Control suspension with adaptive damping.
Rear-axle steering that turns the rear wheels in the opposite direction to the front at speeds up to 100km/h is included, too.This has the effect of virtually shortening the wheelbase leading to greater agility in corners, and an improved turning circle for parking.
Tying all of this together is an AMG Dynamics Control system with an intelligent pilot control principle that can anticipate the driver’s actions and provide assistance accordingly.
This system is tied to the Mercedes’ driving modes, as “Basic” assistance is linked to the Comfort and Electric settings and ensures stability, while the “Advanced”, “Pro”, and “Master” pair with Sport, Sport+ and Race, respectively, with varying levels of dynamic driving parameters.
The C63 S E Performance benefits from a more muscular body intended to help it stand out from the standard C-Class on which it is based.
It is 83mm longer than the C-Class with a stretched front end and wider front wings, and the bonnet has two power bulges crafted into it for a more striking profile.
The Mercedes star emblem is swapped out for AMG’s black crest, and the racing division’s touch can be seen elsewhere with a unique radiator grille, side skirts, a rear apron with a large diffuser, and two trapezoidal ribbed tailpipes.
From the factory, the saloon comes with 19-inch light alloy rims, though these can be swapped out for 20-inch forged ones.
Inside, the Sports seats can be customized with Nappa leather in various colours with a distinctive stitching pattern, but owners can instead opt for weight-saving AMG Performance seats with openings that provide better ventilation.
Dominating the dashboard is the brand’s MBUX infotainment system beamed through a large vertical media screen and instrument cluster – the latter of which is enhanced further by an AMG heads-up display.
