The Mercedes-AMG C53 4Matic has been spotted undergoing its latest round of testing in what appears to be production-ready bodywork, less than a year before it's planned to head into UK showrooms alongside standard versions of the new, fifth-generation C-Class.
Set to rival the Audi S4 and BMW M340i xDrive, the four-wheel-drive C53 will replace today's Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic. It forms part of an extensive new C-Class line-up from AMG alongside successor models to today’s Mercedes-AMG C 63 and C63 S – each to be offered in saloon, estate, coupé and cabriolet body styles.
While it still wears non-standard alloy wheels that will evolve further before reaching production, these latest images give us our best look yet at the front and rear end of the upcoming saloon.
The C53 prototype pictured here is clearly differentiated from standard versions of the new C-Class we’ve already caught testing by a series of typical AMG styling elements, including a Panamericana grille with vertical louvres, a deeper front bumper assembly with new vertical ducting and so-called flics within the outer edges, wider sills and a bespoke rear bumper housing four round tailpipes.
Those exhausts single out the prototype as a C53, because all sightings of the top-end C63 have so far been with square-shaped exhaust tips. as well as a more aggressive front bumper and larger brakes.
It also sports large brake discs and what appear to be six-pot front brake calipers – a telltale sign that this is no ordinary C-Class. Further differentiation from previous Mk5 C-Class prototypes include 18in wheels.
The C53 had previously been spotted taking part in cold-weather testing with extensive visual camouflage, incuding heavily disguised front and rear lights and contrasting alloy wheel designs.
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Hehe
bigger number smaller engine, will be priced like a Mercedes but in reality it is just another Seat/Skoda.
Cosworth
Wouldnt this have more credibility if they involved Cosworth in the engine development and called it the 2.0-16 evoking the spirit of the old 190E 2.3 - 16 and 2.5 - 16?
For most people AMG means a V8 (possibly a V12 or some layout of 6 at a push) and this unless it turns out to be absolutely amazing is going to feel like a disappointment at best, or an outright fraud at worst.
Suspect AMG would find it easier to cling on to the multi cylinders as long as possible then jump straight to full electric for the next generation rather than pursue the hybrid 4 stop gap. A (relative) volume selling Cosworth 2.0-16 to replace the C43 and a mild hybrid V8 C63 AMG (expensive halo model) would help them bridge the gap for the rest of this decade before full electrification.
Let me guess
Personally I don't care what Merc does, they don't seem to have any real ideology about their cars anyway, but just for a laugh I bet they asked at some people at a clinic if they could tell the difference between a 4 cylinder and a 6 cylinder and due to them not knowing Merc said you know what just give then the engine from the cheaper models. A 4 pot is a 4 pot. Saab should have made a made a RWD car back in the 80's.