SPY PICS: 2015 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
All-new twin-turbo V8 super sedan promises more mid-range grunt than outgoing atmo modelMercedes recently revealed its all-new C-Class at the Detroit motor show, but yet to be unleashed is the steroidal C63 AMG performance flagship.
These Automedia spy pics of a taped-up prototype provide the first proper glimpse of the new-gen sedan stormer, which is expected to go on sale early next year.
The existing C63 AMG has found a strong following globally, its rumbling 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 well complemented by its taut and nimble chassis.
As charismatic as the atmo V8 is, ever-tightening emissions laws mean it’s set to be replaced by a clean-burning twin-turbo powerplant, as has been the case with the E63, CLS 63, S63, SL63, ML63 and so on.
There are conflicting reports regarding the exact displacement of the blown V8 destined for the latest C63 AMG, with UK’s Autoexpress magazine suggesting it will be a 4.0-litre unit - possibly derived from pairing together a couple of 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo motors, as used by the A45 AMG, CLA 45 AMG and GLA 45 AMG.
Other reports indicate the powerplant will be a variant of the blown 5461cc M157 unit used by the likes of the E63 AMG, which puts out 386kW and 700Nm in standard form.
These numbers compare with outputs of 336kW and 600Nm for the outgoing 6.2-litre C63 AMG, although the final-hurrah Edition 507 model ramped up these figures to 373kW and 610Nm.
To add further perspective, the C63 AMG’s chief rival – BMW’s all-new M3 – now has a twin-turbo 3.0-litre six-pot in lieu of the superseded model’s atmo V8, and this unit puts out 317kW and 550Nm.
With Merc-AMG models lately enjoying a power and torque advantage over their M-Haus rivals, this would suggest the new C63 will serve up at least 350kW and 620Nm – also giving it a useful edge over the model it replaces.
However, all this is speculative at this stage, with Mercedes yet to offer any concrete clues to the new powertrain.
What the accompanying pics reveal for now is that the new C63 AMG will sport a more aggressive front bumper/spoiler than the bogger C-Class, along with pumped guards, a beefy wheel-tyre combo, a bootlid spoiler and the trademark quad exhausts.
It should all make for a highly entertaining sports sedan, although we’ll have to wait at least a year to glean this for ourselves.
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