The 2019 Mercedes C63 S will develop 503 hp from its twin-turbo V8 and tops out at 290 km/h.
While Mercedes will tell you that their AMG vehicles have always been track-able (trackable?), the refreshed C 63 models revealed at the 2018 New York International Auto Show are taking that to another level.
Which we’ll get to in a moment. First of all, we take a look at what has always made these cars great: their engines.
As is always the case with proper AMG models, the 2019 C 63 subscribes to the “one man, one engine” philosophy whereby a single AMG engineer – “one one one,” as James B. Donovan of Bridge of Spies fame would say – signs off on the engine, literally: each engine cover bears the signature of whichever Hans, Rudolf or Gunther was assembling it. Each C 63 gets a twin-turbo V8, but for 2019 there are two levels of tune available: one good for 469 hp (same as last year) and 473 lb-ft (a little more than last year), and an uprated S version with 503 hp and 516 lb-ft, which will propel the Mercedes compact to a claimed 290 km/h top speed. Of the three models on offer – sedan, coupe and convertible – only the sedan gets the two engine choices, however; the coupe and drop top get the 503 hp version, and the 503 hp version only.
Like the previous C 63, the 2019 version gets a 4.0L plant with the turbochargers nestled within the V, giving you quicker throttle response and superior agility. Other AMG-specific add-ons include spray-guided direct injection, an optimized cooling system, flow-optimized cylinder heads and continuously-adjusting cams. In addition to the better weight distribution and handling afforded by the turbo placement, there are also dynamic engine mounts so engine vibrations are reduced, as are the negative effects caused by the engine’s mass.
Of course while engine mounts are part of the handling story, they’d be nothing without a proper chassis to back them up.
In that light, adaptive dampers come as standard, and the dampers either adjust automatically or with driver intervention by flipping a toggle mounted to the left of the central infotainment controller. Add a standard electronic limited slip rear differential, and you can see why Mercedes saw the need to equip this latest C 63 with something called “AMG Track Pace.”
Essentially an on-board computer used to make you feel like you’re in an actual race with an actual pit crew recording various in-car actions such as your 0-100 km/h and quarter mile times, Track Pace is yet another move by Mercedes to demonstrate that the C 63 (and likely future AMG models) should be considered as proper track tools. To show how serious they are, Mercedes has pre-loaded world famous circuits such as the Nurburgring and Spa-Francorchamps into the system, so you can actually watch as your (hopefully falling) lap times are recorded as you take to these tracks.
Whether they’re actually used as such remains to be seen, but we’re happy that Mercedes is at least acknowledging that even with the advent of semi-autonomous this and hybrid that, there’s still plenty of room on the automotive landscape for a fast, brutal V8-powered luxury compact.
Keyword: 2019 Mercedes C-Class gets AMG’d, Ready For the Track