Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 Coupe Review and Prices

The Mercedes AMG C63 comes in no less than four different bodystyles; most commonly a four door saloon, a more practical estate and a wind-in-your-hair cabriolet. Here, though, we’re looking at the Mercedes AMG C63 Coupe – arguably the most brutish of the four to behold. It goes toe-to-toe with another serious performance coupes, such as the BMW M4 and Audi RS5.

The latest C63 Coupe first went on sale in 2015 but it received a few tweaks in 2018 to help it keep pace with the likes of the BMW M4. Outside, you’ll notice a new grille (inspired by the AMG GT sports car), some modified bumpers with new air intakes and a set of redesigned 18- and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Inside you’ll find a new nappa leather sports steering wheel with redesigned multifunction buttons and selectors for the car’s driving modes and traction control settings. There’s also a new 12.3-inch digital cockpit which swaps the car’s standard analogue dials for a more visually appealing digital set that’s crammed with customisable information.

Thankfully, you also don’t have to pay extra for the 10.3-inch infotainment display on the dashboard. This display is bright and easy to read, but not quite as intuitive as the BMW M4’s iDrive, nor an Audi RS5’s MMI system.

Also standard are leather-trimmed sports seats and an elegant dashboard design with some gorgeous metal air vents. It certainly looks more elegant than the BMW M4’s cabin but doesn’t feel quite as solid in places.

If you’ve got some spare cash burning a hole in your pocket you can pay extra for some especially supportive Performance seats. Even without them, it’s a doddle to get comfortable in the AMG C63 Coupe and even tall adults will have enough headroom to stretch out with the roof up.

There’s no such luck for people in the back who’ll get to experience the limited rear headroom and small windows that come as a result of that elegantly tapered roofline. The back seats are only built for two people, but that does mean plenty of elbow room and – depending on the size of the people in front – a reasonable amount of legroom. Squeezing in through the gap behind the front seats is trickier, however. Bootspace is on par with the M4, so there’s enough room for a couple of small suitcases or a few soft bags.

And standard equipment isn’t a worry. 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, ambient interior lighting, keyless entry and start, wireless phone charging and electric memory front seats are all included. Start getting busy with the options list, though, and things can quickly get out of hand.

The brash V8 Mercedes AMG C63 takes many forms, but this squat Coupe might look the most brutish of them all

The Mercedes AMG C63 Coupe draws out a bit of a lead over the M4 when it comes to power, however. Its 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 produces 476hp as standard – 45hp more than the BMW can manage. Go for a C63 S version, however, and this figure takes a hike to a whopping 510hp.

In terms of acceleration, both versions are pretty comparable. The C63 S Coupe takes 3.9 seconds to reach 62mph from rest while the standard car arrives at the magic number just 0.1 seconds later.

Helping the Coupe leap out of the blocks so quickly is the standard nine-speed automatic gearbox. It changes gear quickly when you pull on the manual shift paddles on the steering wheel, and it’s just as happy to get on with the job itself as smoothly as possible if you leave it in automatic mode.

The C63 doesn’t feel quite as agile as the M4 – even with the electronic differential, active engine mounts and selectable driving modes all turned up to the max. It’s still riotous fun, however – especially in Race mode with the suspension and traction control set to their firmest and least intrusive settings respectively.

Thankfully, the C63 Coupe’s lairy demeanour can be toned down when wafting along in its most comfortable driving modes. You’ll hear a little tyre noise at motorway speeds, but – in its most comfortable setting at least – the suspension irons out bumps well.

The boisterous Mercedes AMG C63 Coupe isn’t the most agile or sophisticated sports car on sale, but it’s still well worth considering – if only to hear the thundering bellow of that huge V8.