2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Returns As A 671-HP Plug-In Hybrid That Says 4 Cylinders Is Fine

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The new 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance has a really large title and a really small engine. But with an enormous 671 hp (680 PS) on faucet from it’s electrically-assisted 2.0 liters, it would persuade you to not care that it’s swapped a V8 for a turbocharged 4, and traded a low-speed growl for an artificial digital pedestrian warning noise.

Make no mistake, this can be a racially totally different scorching C-Class to those we’ve identified earlier than, and that features the AMG C43 that just lately downgraded from a V6 to a turbo 4. Carmakers typically give attention to one main change, like transferring from rear- to all-wheel drive, or downsizing from a V8 to a V6, when changing one technology of efficiency automotive with one other. But this time it seems like AMG has skipped three generations: in a single fell swoop it has turned the C63 from a rear-wheel drive turbocharged V8 to a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering.

The engine is AMG’s M139L 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder as seen on the SL43 roadster and the C63’s little brother, the C43. Like these vehicles it options an electrically-driven turbocharger, however for the C63 the blower is way greater. So whereas the SL43’s gasoline motor peaks at 376 hp (381 PS), and the C43 tops out at 402 hp (408 PS), the C63 kicks each into the weeds with a 470 hp (476 PS) output. That doesn’t solely match the outdated base mannequin C63’s V8 for muscle regardless of being half the dimensions, it makes this new model of the M139 essentially the most highly effective four-cylinder manufacturing engine on the planet, and with 402 lb-ft (545 Nm), it have to be the torquiest too.

Related: Mercedes Wants To Keep Building And Selling V8s Beyond 2030

And that’s earlier than we’ve factored within the electrical enhance that’s additionally new for 2023. That enhance occurs on the rear wheels courtesy of a 150 kW (201 hp /204 PS) electrical motor packed into the rear axle along with an electronically-controlled restricted slip differential and a two-speed drive unit. It can energy the automotive as an EV at as much as 78 mph (125 km/h) and for as much as 8 miles (13 km), if pushed gently, which makes it sound like a PHEV from a decade in the past, however that’s as a result of AMG has prioritised energy over effectivity for this hybrid system.

Drawing from a 6.1 kWh battery the motor delivers its 150 KW most for as much as 10 seconds at a time, however is at all times readily available with at the very least 70 kW (94 hp / 95 PS), and engages its second gear from 87 mph (140 km/h) as soon as it kissed its 13,500 rpm rev limiter.

The outcome is a reasonably spectacular mixed gas-electric output of 671 hp (680 PS) and 752 lb-ft (1,020 Nm), making the C63 not solely way more highly effective than the outdated V8-engined C63 S and its 503 hp, or the 503-hp BMW M3 Competition however punchier than tremendous sedans from the category above just like the 617-hp BMW M5 Competition. Zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) takes 3.4 seconds (down from 4.0 seconds for the outdated C63 S) and the 155 mph (250 km/h) high velocity might be raised to 170 mph (280 km/h) with an appropriate bung to your Mercedes seller at order time.

Select from rear-, all-wheel drive, and EV modes

The electrical motor acts solely on the rear axle, and you’ll configure the gasoline motor to do the identical. But for the primary time the mannequin operates by default in all-wheel drive. Power flows to the 4Matic+ four-paw transmission through a traditional nine-speed epicyclic auto, however one fitted with a moist clutch pack as a substitute of a torque converter.

Rear-axle steering additionally makes its debut on the brand new C63, and carbon brakes be part of an inventory of normal tools that features adaptive dampers for the steel-spring suspension and an AMG Dynamics drive mode selector with a brand new “Master” mode that enables the type of oversteer antics C63s have grow to be well-known for. Drivers additionally get AMG-specific graphics within the digital instrument cluster and head-up show, plus a button on the steering wheel giving 4 ranges of power restoration starting from virtually nonexistent to robust sufficient to permit one-pedal driving.

Other new options embrace a slim hood vent that helps distinguish the C63 from the C43 which additionally will get the toothy Panamericana grille and flared entrance fenders that add an enormous 3 inches (76 mm) to the nostril’s width. The fenders put on “Turbo E Performance” badges beneath their retro-style vents, and for the primary time, there’s an AMG badge on the hood as a substitute of a standard Mercedes one.

Wagon reserved for European patrons

So far we’ve been referring particularly to the C63 sedan, however every little thing we’ve coated additionally applies to the wagon, which sadly, like the brand new BMW M3 Touring, is prone to be off-limits to North American patrons. The long-roof model takes the identical 3.4 seconds to hit 62 mph and, identical to the sedan, rolls on 19-inch wheels until you improve to 20s through an choices listing that features a revised model of the non-compulsory AMG Performance seat with vented facet bolsters. About the one main variations between the sedan and wagon physique types is that in the event you tick the field to carry the wagon’s 155 mph velocity limiter you solely achieve 13 mph (20 km/h), not 19 mph (30 km/h) and that the wagon carries a 75 lbs (34 kg) weight penalty.

Smaller engine, greater waistline

Yeah, let’s speak concerning the weight. Forget any notions that lopping off 4 cylinders may make this C63 lighter than the final one. The new greater physique, hybrid package and all-wheel drive transmission destroys that dream. Mercedes-AMG listed the final C63 S sedan at 3,704 lbs (1,680 kg) in European trim, however this one comes out at 4,489 lbs (2,036 kg). That’s like driving round within the outdated automotive with three thick-set buddies or 4 slim ones. And although the brand new automotive is clearly quicker, greener (156 g/km vs 196 g/km), and can guzzle far much less gas (34 mpg U.S. / 41 mpg UK on the EC cycle, says AMG), it’s important to surprise what impact that additional ballast can have on the dealing with.

One path to slicing that weight will likely be to carry on for the non-S C63 Mercedes is prone to announce later to compete with the non-competition variations of the BMW M3, although downgrading will inevitably be taking a horsepower hit and nonetheless gained’t make it as gentle as a previous-generation C63.

Mercedes hasn’t launched the pricing particulars for the 2023 C63 AMG, however despite the fact that the 671 hp output out-punches the $80,800 BMW M3 Competition xDrive’s by an enormous 168 hp (170 PS), we’d count on the AMG to come back in pretty shut on value.

Which would you purchase? Would you fortunately commerce a number of the 2023 C63’s horses for a six- or eight-cylinder engine? Drop a remark beneath and tell us.