Muscle car’s 670bhp plug-in hybrid system means 0-62mph in just 3.4sec On sale Spring 2023 Price from £90,000 (est)
George Hill George.Hill@haymarket.com
FIRST LOOK
GIN AND TONIC, salt and pepper and bread and butter are just a few of life’s natural unions, and the same can be said of V8 engines and Mercedes-AMG performance cars. However, the all-new Mercedes-AMG C63 marks a pivotal moment of change for the brand, because its cylinder count has been slashed from eight to just four.
Yes, the C63’s traditional V8 has been replaced by a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) system that combines a 469bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 201bhp electric motor. Working together, the two produce a jaw-dropping 670bhp and 752lb ft of torque, reportedly propelling the C63 from 0-62mph in just 3.4sec.To put that in perspective, the current 503bhp V8-powered Mercedes-AMG C63 S and the 503bhp BMW M3 Competition take around 3.9sec to complete the same sprint.
That power passes through Mercedes-AMG’s nine-speed automatic gearbox on its way to all four wheels. Unlike most electric motors, which have only a single forward gear, the C63’s rear-mounted electric motor has two speeds to optimise performance, and can send its power to the front or rear wheels – depending on where it’s needed.
Although it’s a plug-in hybrid, don’t expect to make any long trips on pure electric power; the C63’s comparatively small, 6.1kWh battery is officially enough for only eight miles of fume-free motoring.That’s less than the 15 miles the Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid can officially cover. However, employing a small (89kg) battery helps to save weight in the interest of improved performance and handling; as with the electric motor, the battery is located above the rear axle for balanced weight distribution.
While the shift to plug-in hybrid power significantly improves efficiency compared with the old C63 S (official economy rises from 26.2mpg to 40.9mpg, CO2 emissions drop from 245g/km to 156g/km), keen drivers will be more interested in what happens when you click the driving mode selector into Race.This unlocks a Boost mode for extra electric thrust when you need it, such as when powering out of a corner on the track.
The less extreme driving modes include Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Slippery and Individual, while Battery Hold ensures that the battery stays at a set level of charge, and Electric is for zero-emissions running. Depending on the driving mode selected, artificial sounds are pumped through the car’s interior speakers with the aim of enhancing the driving experience. In the s
