{"id":45008,"date":"2011-11-07T08:12:23","date_gmt":"2011-11-07T07:12:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gtspirit.com\/?p=45008"},"modified":"2015-08-22T02:21:55","modified_gmt":"2015-08-22T00:21:55","slug":"road-test-2012-mercedes-benz-c-63-amg-coupe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gtspirit.com\/2011\/11\/07\/road-test-2012-mercedes-benz-c-63-amg-coupe\/","title":{"rendered":"Road Test: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Coupe"},"content":{"rendered":"
The AMG family line-up has a new member; a two-door coupe which joins the C-Class lineup. One of the latest additions to the German automaker’s ever-expanding stable of AMG performance models shares much of its brisk hardware with the 2012 C63 AMG Sedan, which also received an upgrade over the Summer.<\/p>\n
The C63 AMG Coupe comes rather late to the market, despite this, it does fill a noticeable gap found alongside the BMW M3. With the current coupe version of the M-Powered 3-Series ageing, the Germans from Stuttgart decided to release an AMG version of their Coupe as a direct answer to the evocative BMW M3 Coupe. For us, the chance to experience the ass-happy antics, bludgeoning sound track and rubber-devouring, petrol-glugging character of this AMG sports car.<\/p>\n
The basic engine in both the coupe and sedan C63 AMG models is the familiar AMG-tuned 6.2 liter V8, which delivers 451 horsepower and 600Nm of torque. The optional performance package, which was fitted to our test car pushes the output to 480hp at 6,000rpm, some 66hp more than the M3’s 4.0 liter V8. The top speed sees an increase from 250km\/h to 280km\/h and the 0-100km\/h acceleration time is trimmed from 4.5 to 4.4 seconds. The package offers the same pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft used in the SLS AMG, but gets its own beefed-up front brakes, carbon fiber boot lip spoiler, and an Alcantara and leather-rimmed steering wheel with a squared-off bottom.<\/p>\n
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Some may wonder why the coupe C63 AMG doesn’t feature the new 5.5 liter twin-turbo V8, which is currently the choice of engine as far as AMG engineers are concerned. Due to the presence of turbos the new V8 wouldn’t fit into coupe’s engine bay. So instead we were left with an old-school V8 on four wheels equipped with loads of torque and horsepower transferred entirely to the rear-wheels. A formula often referred to as one of the most joyful emotional experiences a driver can have in a sports car.<\/p>\n
AMG have hooked the engine up to its Speedshift seven-speed transmission with a wet startup clutch replacing the torque converter to improve efficiency and quicker shifts, and a rather complicated Race Start launch function which doesn’t fit the raw character of the C63. Four different gearbox selections are available – comfort, sport, sport+ and manual – all controllable via aluminum paddle shifters behind the wheel and the central gear selection lever. <\/p>\n
Surprisingly there is no AMG button, there are no special modes, and no buttons to change calibrations to the setup of car. There are only two choices. You are limited to changing the shift speed via the rotary dial on the transmission tunnel and the ESP threshold between ESP mode, a Sport mode and no ESP – selected after holding down the button for five seconds. But that is it! So let’s pick the first one. The Comfort mode is what you expect, nothing more and nothing less, just smooth changes and throttle response. Sport offers slightly more revs in every gear, but Sport+ is the choice for when you want to focus on taking an excellent turn-in and practice your racing lines. The overall combination is one of a correct exhaust tune, shift times of up to 100ms and the power distribution whenever you ask for it.<\/p>\n
That brings us to the final mode, Manual. Only applicable if you feel the need to use the paddles behind the steering wheel. But there is no real need for it, because S+ is just as good at holding gears and picking the perfect shift points, so why would you use it? In addition, while down- shifting you must wait until one gear has engaged before you can select another, this is unlike most dual clutch manuals, where you can double or even triple tap a paddle and receive an instant result. So in the end we positioned the gear switch in S+ mode, tapped the ESP into Sport mode and focused on the track-biased suspension setup.<\/p>\n
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