2016 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Coupé first drive

What is it?

The S version of the C 63 AMG Coupé, Mercedes’ V8-powered pile-driver. What’s in the S? Well, more poke, inevitably. Where the standard model gets 469bhp, the flagship, courtesy of the extra boost pressure being summoned up by its dual BorgWarner turbochargers, is equipped with a robust 503bhp.

That’s 89bhp more than an Audi RS5, officially making it “a lot”. But the real enhancement comes in peak torque, where the S exceeds even the AMG GT with 516lb ft from 1750rpm, which is also more than a McLaren 570S or Lamborghini Huracan owner enjoys.

To wrestle the power onto the road, the S gets a quicker electronic rear diff in place of the regular C 63’s mechanical version, and it sits on fatter wheels and tyres. Compared with the saloon, the whole thing could be called ‘phatter’. Mercedes has gone all blistered arches and butch with the coupé’s styling to better differentiate it from the airport taxi version. That the test car called to mind the apocalyptic Black edition of its predecessor is high praise indeed. 

What's it like?

The defining characteristic of the old C63 was Affalterbach’s phenomenal, naturally-aspirated 6.2-litre engine, which possessed a soundtrack so absurdly evocative it was like driving around with John Bonham and a Ludwig drum set in the boot. That special rhythm section bass line has gone, never to return.

But its replacement, has its own cutting-edge, alloy-edged charm. Think of it as a Roland TR-909 drum machine – obviously synthesized, sampled and sequenced compared with the flesh-and-bone gusto-genius of Bonham, but supremely capable of a fast-paced V8 tempo nonetheless.

The depth of performance behind the compressed, quavering heartbeat is terrific. Previous experience of the 4.0-litre unit hasn’t disappointed, but the way in the S cycles through adjectives – easygoing, enjoyable, enthralling, exhilarating - as your toe journeys toward the bulkhead is something else.

From ultra low revs, the V8 delivers big-capacity lazy largesse with total swagger. The tightly-wound, lets-get-a-shift-on attitude of its direct rivals is eschewed for moor-slipping finesse, aided by the accelerator pedal’s long travel and the hugely-improved shift of the standard seven-speed MCT gearbox.

Once moving on its gargling bow wave, the S is seamlessly fast. There are five drive modes to flick between, although so keen is the transmission to have you in the right ratio that Comfort is going satisfy 95% of driver moods. This is good because the C 63 is at its best with the suspension in its kindliest setting.

Ride comfort was one of the previous car’s bullet-point problems; in the latest model it is improved to the point of background niggle. As we found in the standard C 63, the S tends to bridle when it meets sharp obstacles – a slight secondary brittleness not helped by the volume of the road and running gear noise that Mercedes has failed to keep out of the cabin.

The antidote to this mild aggravation is to simply drive faster. The car’s primary ride – a Germanic mind-meld of tacked-down and tolerant – is very agreeable, and encourages considerable liberties to be taken with the palpable chassis balance. Body movement is controlled, but not exorcised completely, giving keen drivers the inimitably pleasant sensation of hustling something rather large, heavy and energetically rear-wheel-driven round corners.