Next-gen C63 AMG turbo edges closer

MERCEDES-BENZ Australia Pacific says it will continue to smash local AMG sales records with its fresh new high-performance compact range, and an even mightier 4.0-litre twin turbo C63 AMG due to arrive early next year.

The eagerly awaited top-performing flagship of the recently unveiled C-Class range (regular versions of which are due here in July) will follow the rest of the AMG fleet with a turbocharged engine, meaning the current C63 will be the last remaining normally-aspirated AMG.

Eight cylinders will still lie under the bonnet of Mercedes’ top-selling AMG model, but in the name of fuel-efficiency, the displacement has taken a chop from 6.2-litres to an even 4.0.

Performance will not be dampened however, thanks to the addition of two turbochargers, which Mercedes says will give the new C63 AMG a better power-to-weight ratio than the current swan-song 507 special edition.

A special team was assigned to work on the new car’s exhaust-note to ensure the famous AMG V8 bark was not lost with the introduction of turbochargers, which can rob engine note volume and character.

Exact power and torque figures of the baby V8 are yet to be confirmed, but its boosted power-to-weight figure may be in part attributed to new lightweight aluminuium/magnesium construction shared by all of the new C-Class variants, as well as a more compact powerplant.

C63 AMG sales comprised almost half of all Australian AMG sales last year, but with the recently introduced A45, CLA45 and forthcoming GLA45 in high demand, Mercedes-Benz senior public relations manager David McCarthy says the fresh-faced C63 AMG will have to tussle for the lead with its smaller siblings.

“I think in a full year C63 and the compact cars are in a race, but I think the compacts will win it this year mainly because C63 sedan and wagon are out of production now. But in a full year I think it will be an interesting event,” he said.

Despite ongoing compact AMG supply restrictions, Mr McCarthy predicts 2014 sales of AMG could near the 2000 mark — up nearly 20 per cent on last year’s figure of around 1650, with 2015 continuing the trend after the introduction of the new C63.

“Already we can’t keep up with supply, but If we get all the supply we want and we need in AMG, we will give 2000 a nudge.”“This (new C63) car is going to be just as awesome as the current car but in a different way.

“We are pretty excited - it’s going to be an epic car,” said Mr McCarthy.

Mercedes could not confirm when the new model would make its global debut, but the upcoming Paris motor show in early October is a possible venue.