Frankfurt show: Mercedes-AMG outs C63 Coupe

MERCEDES-AMG has ripped the covers off its brutal C63 Coupe ahead of an Australian showroom debut in mid-2016, following the reveal of its more sedate coupe sibling last week.

Both the regular C-Class Coupe and its performance honed C63 stable mate will take the stand at the Frankfurt motor show next month, and are expected to go on sale Down Under at the same time.

As expected, the latest version of Mercedes' potent mid-size coupe uses the same bi-turbo 4.0-litre V8 from the C63 sedan and Estate, in two states of tune.

Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific will mirror its recent strategy of only offering the more powerful 'S' variant for the Coupe as it has done for the E63, the just-launched GT sportscar, C63 sedan and Estate.

In standard guise the C63 Coupe pumps out 350kW at 5500-6250rpm and 650Nm at 1750-4500rpm, while the Aussie-spec S delivers 375kW at 500-6250rpm and 700Nm at 1750-4500rpm.

At 1725kg, the S weighs 15kg more than the standard C63 Coupe, but both consume 8.6-8.9 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle.

The zero-100km/h sprint is completed in 3.9 seconds for the S – 0.1s quicker than the standard car – while both have an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h or 290km/h when optioned with the AMG Driver's Pack.

In contrast, the outgoing C63 AMG Coupe 507 Edition weighs 1730kg, offers up 373kW/610Nm from a 6.2-litre V8, can race to 100km/h from standstill in 4.1 seconds and drinks 12.1L/100km.

The AMG's Bavarian arch rival, the BMW M4, pumps out 317kW/550Nm from its 3.0-litre twin-turbo six, and hits 100km/h in 4.1s.

A seven-speed AMG Speedshift sports transmission drives the rear wheels, featuring paddle shifters. The car-maker says up- and down-shifts are “noticeably faster” than the outgoing model.

The C63 has a four-link suspension set-up at the front with radial racing-style connections, while the rear is multi-link, and is stiffer than before, according to Mercedes-AMG.

AMG Ride Control suspension with adjustable damping allows drivers to select between sporty and more sedate driving in three stages, while the AMG Dynamic Select transmission modes feature four settings, including Race and Individual.

Mercedes-AMG says the C63 only shares the same doors, roof and bootlid panels with its regular C-Class Coupe donor car, and gains unique side walls as well as front and rear styling to cope with the wider track.

Because of its more porposeful flared wheel arches, the C63 is 64mm wider at the front and 66mm wider at the rear when compared with the C-Class Coupe.

The fattened arches house wider tyres – up to 255mm on the front axle and 285mm on the rear – for improved acceleration, agility and traction, according to Benz, while the body structure has been reinforced to compensate for the “extreme longitudinal and lateral forces from the powertrain and suspension”.

The S is fitted with 19-inch twin-spoke light-alloy wheels, while the standard variant gets 18-inch hoops.

The hardcore coupe gets more aggressive styling, with power domes on the 60mm-longer bonnet, and the now familiar twin-blade grille, a lower A-wing front spoiler housing three air inlets, and a front splitter.

At the rear is a bootlid spoiler, two chrome-plated twin tailpipes for the AMG exhaust system and a diffuser with air outlets.

The cabin gains AMG-specific touches such as standard Artico/Dinamica sports seats or optional performance seats, but Mercedes is yet to confirm other interior details and standard equipment beyond the safety gear. That includes the Attention Assist drowsiness detection system, and Collision Prevention Assist Plus to help avoid a rear-end collision.

Various optional safety and comfort packages will likely be available from launch.

The C63 Coupe in its current generation is still on sale in Australia and costs $159,500 plus on-road costs. Pricing for the latest version is yet to be confirmed.

Mercedes' rival BMW recently dropped the price of its M4 Coupe by about $17,000 from $166,900 to $149,900 to undercut Benz. Audi's similarly positioned RS5 Coupe is available from $157,900.

More information on the ballistic C63 Coupe will be released at the Frankfurt motor show next month.