AMG C63 Sedan

Segment
Sedan
  • The world's most powerful production 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo produces 469 horsepower and 402 lb-ft of torque on its own
  • An electric motor adds 201 hp, for a combined total of 671 hp and 752 lb-ft
  • Rear axle steering, eight drive modes, and more

Mercedes recently announced that it would continue its love affair with the V8 engine for as long as possible but that the relationship is no longer feasible for anything but low-volume supercars. Ever-tightening emissions regulations have forced automakers to downsize and adopt electrification, and the Mercedes-AMG C63 is the latest victim.

But don't mourn the loss of the V8 for too long. What the latest C63's engine lacks in character, it more than makes up for in power. We've known for some time that the new model would get hybrid assistance, but now Affalterbach has officially revealed the 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance, confirming a total of over 670 hp on tap. Bye-bye, M3.

The handbuilt M139l 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is the most powerful series-produced four-pot in the world, producing 469 hp at 6,750 rpm. Maximum torque is available from 5,000-5,500 rpm and is rated at 402 lb-ft. This is achieved thanks to an electric exhaust gas turbocharger, while a 6.1-kilowatt-hour, 400-volt, lithium-ion battery developed using F1 technology feeds a 201-hp/236-lb-ft electric motor on the rear axle that's recharged using an on-board 14V charger.

Altogether, the system generates a total of 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque. Thanks to an all-wheel drive system that can send power to the front axle when the rear tires slip and the AMG Speedshift nine-speed automatic transmission, Mercedes estimates that 0-60 mph takes just 3.3 seconds. Top speed is 155 mph but can be increased to 174 mph. Oh, and there's a Drift Mode too.

The new C63 comes with eight drive modes, including Electric, which offers all-electric driving up to 81 mph. When the battery is depleted or more power is demanded, the car switches to Comfort. Here, the car will pull away in electric with hybrid driving in effect at highway speeds and the electric motor providing just 25% of its performance. Naturally, the AMG Ride Control adaptive suspension and the steering system are at their most relaxed here.

Battery Hold is the third mode and keeps the e-motor at 25%. The difference here is that the use of the battery is limited for low power draw. Switch to Sport, and the suspension and steering firm up, the transmission shifts quicker, and up to approximately 65% of electric boost is available.

Then you have Sport+, which boosts the performance of the e-motor to as much as 80%. Better throttle response and a higher idle speed also characterize this mode, and the suspension, steering, and powertrain are all sharpened. In Race mode, everything is set for maximum performance. The electric motor's boost provides up to 80% of its performance, and the battery recharges as fast as possible. You can also call up a "Boost Mode" on a steering wheel button, which limits e-boost to 30% to save power for when you need 100% performance, which can be called upon by simply pressing the accelerator to the floor.

Slippery drive mode is an electric-only mode with a flat torque curve and reduced power. This also disables your ability to adjust the energy recuperation system to keep the car stable and predictable. Finally, Individual lets you set your own parameters.

Four energy recuperation stages allow you to choose how much you want the battery to harvest. Level 0 offers minimal recuperation - only enough "to maintain the vehicle's power supply." Level 1 is the standard setting and feels roughly like a conventional car's deceleration when the clutch is engaged. Level 2 offers even more energy harvesting and you hardly need to use the brake pedal, while Level 3 is the highest setting and makes one-pedal driving possible, like in an all-electric vehicle. Depending on driving conditions, more than 100 kW of power can be fed back to the battery. In Race mode, the car automatically goes back to Level 1 for predictable handling.

There's also an Acoustic Vehicle Alerting System that blares out a specially composed low-frequency and speed-adaptive AMG sound that is emitted from a loudspeaker up front and two loudspeakers in the rear. The exhaust's sound is also modified and pumped into the cabin via speakers.

As for styling, the new C63 S gets a subtle vent in the middle of the hood that Mercedes has strangely not yet provided any close-up shots of, but you can see something else that's new. The three-pointed star on the hood has been replaced by a black AMG emblem for the first time on a production AMG. Aggressive intakes, electronically controlled air panels behind the radiator grille and in the front fascia, and fender vent accents also feature. Beefy side skirts and a large diffuser at the rear are included too, with the latter housing two dual-exhaust exits. A subtle aerodynamic spoiler sits on the trunk, below which the charging flap and the model designation can be found. This badge is set on a red background, highlighting maximum performance.

19-inch alloys are standard, with 20s available. Both are fitted with staggered tires, but only the bigger rims are offered with forged construction. These hide an "AMG high-performance iron rotor composite brake system" with six-piston calipers in front and one-piston floating calipers in the rear as standard.

Inside, you get AMG sports seats once more, with unique upholstery, stitching, and plenty of room for customization. These can be replaced with AMG Performance seats, with side bolsters featuring openings for better ventilation. A head-up display is optional, but because this is an AMG, the MBUX infotainment system with its vertical and portrait screens gains special displays specific to high-performance AMG and hybrid modes. These can also be personalized and used to access the various AMG Dynamics drive modes, where the rear-axle steering system varies its input.

As standard, this provides no more than 2.5 degrees of steering counter to the front wheels. It's active up to 62 mph for supreme handling, but at higher speeds, the rear wheels turn parallel to the fronts up to a maximum of 0.7 degrees, improving stability and high-speed steering.

The 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance may have one of the most painfully long names in existence, and it may be powered by a hybridized 2.0-liter four-pot, but it remains the classy choice. In a world where the BMW M3 and Audi RS5 Sportback look perhaps too aggressive, Mercedes demonstrates that you don't need to shout about performance. Even if you have the right to. With 671 hp, the C63 outpunches the current M3 Competition with its paltry 503 hp and scoffs at the RS5's meager 444 hp.

And with segment-unique rear-axle steering, it may even be sharper than the bloated G80 M3. Will that be enough reason for purists to embrace the electrified C63? No, but most of the market isn't made up of purists. As for pricing and availability, these are yet to be announced, but we'll report back as soon as they are.