ShareThisNobody needs the Mercedes C63 AMG. Well, maybe some people do-or at least think they do.But they also must have fulsome bank accounts, so the rest of us may not be particularly understanding of their needs.We're talking here about a select few for whom an expensive luxury car like a Mercedes-Benz does not satisfy. They yearn for something more, something special and beyond the norm. In other words, they desire something their contemporaries don't have-or perhaps don't even want.In the realm of automobiles, more luxurious accommodations help some, but the ultimate bit of one-upmanship is to own a car that has that and performs better than any others in its category.That translates into high speed, slingshot acceleration, surgical handling and haul-down braking.Mercedes-Benz has been catering to those appetites for many years with its AMG models. The initials denote a once-independent company that specializes in enhancing the performance of Mercedes vehicles-re-engineering them to go faster, with superior handling and braking.For the record, according to the Mercedes archives, AMG represents the names of its founders, Hans-Werner Aufrecht (A) and Erhard Melcher (M), along with Melcher's birthplace, Grossaspach (G). They were racing-engine designers and engineers who started their own hot-rod outfit to jazz up Mercedes-Benzes.The company now is wholly owned by Mercedes and is integrated into its operations, although it still operates independently with a small group of engineers, some of whom are selected to build AMG engines by hand.One of these is a 6.2-liter V8 that churns out massive muscle-451 horsepower and 443 foot-pounds of rotational force, or torque.Like a fashion model snaking into a pair of tight jeans, the AMG engineers now have slipped this big motor into the new Mercedes C-Class, a compact sedan.They also have modified the suspension system and steering, installed bigger brakes and recalibrated the automatic transmission to produce the 2008 C63 AMG sport sedan, a refined yet raucous piece of exceptional-performance machinery.The new model is aimed at competing directly against the new BMW M3, which also is an ornery high-performance compact.The C63 AMG is a tight package of automotive exhilaration. It accelerates from rest to 60 miles an hour in 4.3 seconds, according to Mercedes tests, and it feels even faster. Top speed is governed at 155.Where the power really gets stupefying is when you roll out to pass a slower-moving car on a two-lane road. Mash the pedal and the C63 AMG emits a crackling exhaust blast as the car rockets forward and overtakes in seconds.This is not an exercise you'd want to practice on a regular basis because it likely would get you locked up, or worse, but it produces sensations akin to riding a good roller coaster.Tapping all this power is the AMG version of the Mercedes seven-speed automatic transmission, which can be shifted manually with the shift lever or paddles on the steering wheel.But there is no need because it works so well by itself. It can be set for comfortable, easy shifts, or in a sport setting for bullwhip upshifts and arresting downshifts. The system even automatically blips the accelerator pedal to match engine revs as it downshifts, eliminating any jerkiness. Yet you immediately feel the compression braking from the engine.The C63 AMG has the bones to go with all that power. On fast curves, the car simply hunkers down on its new suspension system, salutes and follows orders from the speed-sensitive steering.In over your head? Mash the brake pedal and the C63 AMG pulls up as if it were attached to an aircraft-carrier arresting hook.Such performance does not come without penalties. The C63 AMG is expensive to begin with, starting at $54,625. There are plenty of options to boost the price even higher-the test car came in at $63,615-and it slurps gasoline like a linebacker on Gatorade. EPA city/highway fuel consumption is 12/18 miles to the gallon, resulting in a $1,300 gas-guzzler tax.The other big penalty, of course, is that there are precious few places short of a race track where you can drive this car anywhere near its potential, so it can be frustrating unless you're content with simply knowing you have the capability to dust off almost anything out there.The C63 AMG's performance feel is enhanced by deep bucket seats up front that have adjustable bolsters and lumbar support. However, this is still a compact, which means accommodations in back are tight.The C63 also lacks daytime lighting for the instruments, and the sun visors do not slide on their support rods to block the sun from the side. In addition, the test car exhibited excessive wind noise around the front windows.With all that performance, the C63 AMG also comes with a full load of safety and luxury equipment, including automatic climate control, Sirius satellite radio, Bluetooth communications, the Mercedes Comand navigation system and a choice of aluminum or one of two wood trim packages inside.(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
Check out the Mercedes C63 AMG
Submitted by SHNS on Thu, 05/01/2008 - 14:33
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