Back in 2008, Mercedes was looking to expand its market to include the younger population and they decided that the best way to do that was to offer a C-Class Coupe alternative. That project led to the birth of the CLC whose success in the market was more lackluster than bedazzled. Now, Mercedes is at it again with a much more simple approach to meeting the needs of the younger generation. This simple - in the best sense of the word - vehicle is the C-Class Coupe, and Mercedes is even taking a stab at an AMG version. This is certainly a good thing because, well, the BMW M3 Coupe needs a real competitor, right?
The new C63 AMG Coupe will join the current AMG Coupe and will be put on sale this July in Europe, while on the US market sales will begin in September 2011. The first units will be sold as the "Edition 1" and will be offered with exclusive equipments.
Exterior
Like with all the other AMG models, the C63 AMG Coupe is defined by an aggressive, sporty look. The sports coupe will get an AMG front bumper, AMG radiator grille with a chrome inserts, a specific AMG bonnet, AMG-specific LED daytime running lights, side skirts, and a rear bumper with diffuser insert. The sporty character will be accentuated by an AMG sports exhaust with two chromed twin oval tailpipes. There will also be a ride lowered by around 40 millimeters, a sports suspension, and speed-sensitive AMG sports steering.
The car will be defined by low profile, powerful shoulderline and a narrow C-pillar. Other key styling aspects are the short overhang, long bonnet, steeply raked windscreen and long, stretched out roof. The wide front wing will get the "6.3 AMG" legend, while the car will sit on new 5-twin-spoke AMG light-alloy wheels painted in titanium grey with a high-gloss finish.
Interior
For the interior, AMG will offer AMG door sills, AMG sports seats, AMG performance steering wheel in nappa leather on the top and bottom flattened with aluminum gearshift paddles and AMG instruments, including an AMG race timer and start screen. The interior will be upholstered in a faux leather combination ARTICO/fabric or optional designo leather (one or two tone). There will also be an electronic rotary switch for selecting the four driving modes and the Race Start function.
The specially shaped AMG performance steering wheel has been adopted from the CLS 63 AMG. It has flattened top and bottom sections, a metallic trim element, grip areas which are trimmed in perforated leather, and aluminum shift paddles. Trim elements in high-gloss, black piano lacquer on the dashboard instrument panel, center console and doors emphasize high quality. Situated on the center console is the rotary control for selecting the C, S, S+, M transmission modes and RACE START.
Engine
Like with the sedan version, and despite previous speculations, the C63 AMG Coupe will use the same 6.2 liter V8 engine with a total output of 457 HP. Customers will also have the choice of opting for a performance package that will increase the total output to 487 HP. The C63 AMG Coupe will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and in 4.4 second with the AMG performance package.
The engine will be mated to AMG’s new SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC transmission that offers three different modes: "S" (Sport), " C" (Comfort), and "M" (Manual).
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When Can We Buy It?
On the European market sales will begin in July at a starting price of €72,590 ($102,500 at the current exchange rates) or €77,231 ($109,100) for the "Edition 1". Prices for the US market will be announced at a later date.
Competition
The greatest competitor for the future C63 AMG Coupe will be the BMW M3 Coupe. The Bavarian model develops a total of 414 HP and is priced at $58,400, so we expect a similar price tag for the Mercedesmodel. While Mercedes has revealed no official images on the new C63 AMG Coupe, we want to believe it will get the same look as the sedan version, adapted to a coupe model of course. If this is true, then it will make the Merc better looking than the current M3, on both interior and exterior. However, BMW is already preparing the next generation M3, so the question is: does Mercedes have enough to smash the success the M3 is already having on the market?
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