With BMW just uncovering the wagon version of its latest M3 performance car, the focus is about to switch to the Bavarian marque’s archrival.
Mercedes-Benz is not far off revealing the new-generation version of the AMG C63 sports car range that will include a sedan and wagon.
The outgoing model has been a massive sales success for Mercedes in Australia and it consistently ranks in the top three best-selling AMG models Down Under.
That means the new version comes with huge expectations from performance car loving Aussie buyers.
So what’s new, what’s old and what else do we know about the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63?
When will the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 launch?
Given the C63 hasn’t been revealed yet, Mercedes-Benz Australia is not saying anything about timing just yet.
But CarsGuide understands that it will sprint into Australian dealerships in the second half of 2023.
As for an official reveal date, that’s also unclear. But given Benz is about to start drip-feeding more information about the new C63, a full reveal should happen in the coming months – definitely before the end of 2023.
What will the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 look like?
This is an easier thing to predict because the fifth-generation C-Class is already on sale in regular non-AMG guise.
Using the recently revealed Mercedes-AMG C43 as a guide, it’s not hard to see what it will look like. Our render provides an idea of what to expect.
As with the previous C63, the new version is unlikely to feature over-the-top performance car design flourishes, and will instead take a more restrained approach.
That’s not to say that buyers won’t add extras like more aggressive wheels and aero features like spoilers and the like.
What engine will the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 have?
This is one of the most contentious points relating to the next-gen C63. For those that love the sound of a throaty V8, we have bad news. Mercedes confirmed last year that all variants of the new C-Class would use a four-cylinder engine, including the C43 and C63.
That means the much-hyped AMG-developed 4.0-litre V8 from the outgoing version would be dropped in favour of a modified version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit found in the AMG A45, CLA45 and GLA45.
Under the bonnet of the aforementioned small AMG models, the spicy engine pumps out 310kW of power and 500Nm of torque.
The 2023 C63 version of the 2.0-litre unit is expected to be paired with a 400-volt electric turbocharger – tech borrowed from Mercedes’ Formula 1 program – and an electric motor on the rear axle. It will feature 48-volt mild hybrid tech too.
As a result, Benz has promised that the internal combustion engine will make at least 350kW, while the total system output could hit 500kW – easily making it the world’s most powerful four-pot.
Torque is expected to be as high as 750Nm.That’s more than the outgoing C63 S’ outputs of 375kW/700Nm.
The small AMG models also come with the 4Matic all-wheel drive system and it looks like the C63 will shift from rear-drive to all-paw traction too. The transmission will be a nine-speed torque converter auto.
But don’t mourn the loss of the V8 – it will still be applied to larger models like the next E-Class-based AMG and more.
How much will the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 cost?
Mercedes only sold the flagship S version of the outgoing C63 in Australia, but it’s unclear if there will be both a C63 and a C63 S in the new generation.
The 2021 C63 S sedan was priced a tick over $168,000 before on-road costs, with the wagon priced just under $171,000.
Of course we don’t know 2023 C 63 pricing yet, but given the new tech that will be included, the pattern of increasing prices with new-gen cars, the increased cost of materials and the fact that Benz upped regular C-Class pricing quite a bit with the new model, you can bet it will be pricier than the outgoing car.
Could it top $200,000 in Australia? You’d have to think that they would keep it under $200k given the price of rivals like the BMW M3 (from $160,500) and Audi RS4 (from $155,400), and to separate it from its bigger stablemate, the E63 S (from $258,800).
What about the coupe and cabriolet?
Mercedes-Benz has stopped production of the outgoing C63 sedan and wagon, but will continue to build the two-door coupe and cabriolet variants for a while longer.
They are still available in Australia priced from $180,678 for the coupe and $202,177 for the cabrio. Remember, these two variants could be your last chance to get into a V8-powered C-Class.
Benz will reportedly drop the C-Class and E-Class coupe and cabrio in favour of one combined model – possibly called CLE-Class – that will sit between the medium and large models.
This is part of Mercedes’ strategy to drop lower volume models as the company shifts its focus to electric vehicles. Some of its smaller models are also on the chopping block but Benz is yet to announce which ones.
Keyword: Could the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 top $200k? Pricing, engines, timing and everything else we know about the BMW M3, Audi RS4 rival