Thabiso Malimela
Not that there was much wrong with the outgoing C63 S, but problems do start to surface when even cheaper products within the Mercedes-Benz range start to look like better offerings. Of course, an entry level Mercedes-Benz such as the A-Class will always be on the back foot when it comes to performance and the ability to provide with thrills (and spills) – the engine in the C63 is nothing short of a masterpiece and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it.
But when it comes to the sheer assortment of bells and whistles one would find in even the cheapest Mercedes-Benz of today, the AMG C63 S leaves a lot to be desired in the interior at least. And while we’re on that, the looks had started to get a bit too familiar, so those needed a nip-and-tuck affair to make the C63 S a little harder to miss on the road.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa recently locally launched the facelift to the car that many South Africans grew to love quickly, and rightly so. The combination of a powerful V8 engine, leery handling and a luxurious interior rendered it a car full of character. However, there was always room for improvement and the new 2019 car comes in with some changes to do just that.
So, what exactly is new on the model year 2019 Mercedes-AMG C63 S?
Ever So Subtle Visual Changes
Perhaps the most noticeable change in the C63 S’s appearance is the grille – the new Panamericana grille replaces the horizontal slat of the old grille in favour of some new vertical chrome fins. Eagle-eyed readers will notice that the front bumper now features modified louvres and the Multibeam LED headlights and taillights now feature a redesigned LED lighting matrix. At the rear end, starting from the top, we find a new lip spoiler on the edge of the short deck and when panning our eyes down toward the floor, we see some reworked exhaust tips sitting among a new rear diffuser, which is designed to be more conspicuous than before – seems legit!
New Digital Instrument Cluster
The new 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is now available as an option and replaces the analogue unit we’ve become accustomed to. This new digital information screen excerpted from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class can be configured according to three display styles that alter the aesthetics and type of data displayed – you have a choice between Classic, Sport and Supersport corresponding to what kind of mood you’re in (lax, spirited or maniacal).
New Performance Seats
The part of the car that you will remain in contact with the most receives a very insightful upgrade. In a performance car that is driven with the intention to set the stopwatch or the passenger’s senses alight (sometimes both), the forces produced tend to want to throw one off their seat, hence the need for snug seats that hug you in place . While the C63 S is not exactly notorious for its ability to produce enough G-Forces to pull one out of their seat, the new and optional heated AMG Performance seats with air cushion adjustable bolsters will surely be welcomed with open arms.
New AMG Performance Steering Wheel
Also taken from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and S-Class, the grippier and more ergonomic AMG Performance steering wheel finds its way onto the MY19 C63 S. Apart from being one of the best looking steering wheels in the business, this new wheel features touchpads and light touch buttons which control an assortment of features such as the audio system, digital instrument cluster, voice commands and more. Below each of the centre spokes is a pair of controllers – a rotary switch on the right and a dual button controller on the left. Both controllers allow the driver to toggle between the six different driving modes and alter certain parameters of the car.
Driving Modes and a 9-stage Traction Control
Along with the aforementioned steering wheel are a pair steering-mounted switches. The one on the right controls the six driving modes you’ll find on the C63 S – Slippery, Individual, Comfort, Sport, Sport + and Race. Without having to take your hand too far off the wheel, you can toggle through all six driving modes with a nifty rotary switch. The left steering mounted switch allows you to custom set various parameters of the car such as the adaptive suspension between comfort, sport and race mode, the stability control between on and off, the automatic Start Stop function between on and off and the exhaust between loud and effing loud. Still on the topic of the exhaust, you’ll be pleased to know that the AMG Performance exhaust is now standard, so in comfort mode it sounds like a party that is a few streets away and in sports and race modes…well let’s just say in these modes, you ARE the party!
Taken from the no nonsense, fire-breathing AMG GT-R is a 9-stage traction control which is controlled by turning off the stability control using the left steering mounted controller after which the right rotary dial will allow you to dial in, from stage 1 to stage 9, how much assistance you want (or need) when the rear end start to misbehave (stage 9 equals “It’s cool bro, I got this” whereas stage 1 equals “Jesus take the wheel”).
New 9-Speed Automatic Gearbox
Perhaps the most noticeable cinque in the outgoing AMG C63 S’s armour was its drivetrain, namely the 7-speed 7G-Tronic transmission and differential setup. Consequently, the outgoing C63 S’s sluggish gear interaction and hilariously loose rear end can be attributed to these two components respectively. In the MY2019 C63 S, however, a new 9-speed AMG Speedshift MCT transmission finds its way onto the car in hopes of improving gearbox efficiency and increasing response for faster shift times, while also engaging the driver in the process. The new Multi-Clutch transmission (MCT) features a wet-clutch setup instead of a conventional torque converter and can also be manually operated with the metal steering mounted paddles during spirited driving.
Between the rear wheels, there is a new electronically controlled limited-slip differential designed to keep all that V8 grunt in check so that the C63 S can grip diligently while accelerating out of corners. Altogether, this means that the C63 S will handle less like the animal its outgoing sibling had grown to be known as. And in the company of cars such as the Alfa Romeo Giulia QV and BMW M3 Competition, wayward handling can be a deal-breaker for some.
The 4.0 litre bi-turbo V8 behemoth remains untouched (rightfully so) and continues to produce 375 kW and 700 N.m of tyre shredding torque. The new C63 S might have a fancy traction control system and a trick differential, but don’t be fooled for once second into thinking that it is a vegetarian and that the rear tyres are a meaty steak – 700 N.m is as carnivorous as it gets and you can be guaranteed that some tyres will be shredded! 0 – 100 km/h is possible in 3.9 seconds in the coupe, 4.0 seconds in the sedan and 4.1 seconds in the cabriolet. With the AMG Driver’s Package, expect to hit speeds as high as 290 km/h in the coupe and sedan, while only 280 km/h is possible in the cabriolet.
Summary
Admittedly, you’ll need more than just a glance to tell the outgoing C63 S to the new one, but such is the art of facelifting a car – most of the time, the visual changes are slight and it’s beneath the bodywork where most of the work is done. On the performance side, I think it’s safe to say that AMG have succeeded in turning the C63 S into a more intelligent and more engaging machine to drive with the inclusion of more interactive driving modes and transmission, along with a new differential that makes the new C63 S more approachable to drive for less experienced individuals.
Although the C63 S still lacks the much-praised MBUX infotainment and dual screen setup, fans of this tech feature will have to wait a little bit longer for it to appear in the upcoming W206 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. AMG’s efforts to make the C63 S’s interior more in tune with the times may seem like just a visit to their current parts bin, but it culminates to something greater than the sum of its parts. If for some reason you’re left lukewarm by the interior upgrades, may I suggest you press the Engine Start button – the rumble of eight angry cylinders might improve your mood!
Pricing
C63 S Cabriolet – R 1 728 700
C63 S Coupe – R 1 609 100
C63 S Sedan – R 1 546 600
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