With the electronic stability control set to Sport Plus mode, I was off. After a couple of orientation laps, the SLS led the three C63s on high-speed laps of Circuito Monteblanco. The guttural roar of the engine built by “Robert” in Affalterbach was menacing yet exhilarating–an intoxicant that was easy to overdose on, as I learned in an early turn.
After hitting 230 km/h along the 960-metre straightaway, heavy braking was needed to setup the C63 for a sharp right-hand turn. My entry into the curve was spot-on, but a little too much throttle at the apex hung the tail out far more than anticipated. After correcting for a wild swing back into line, I was fine but it illustrated several characteristics of the C63 AMG for me in techno-colour.
1) The AMG mill has an abundance of low-end torque that it’ll happily deliver with alarming immediacy.
2) The Sport Plus mode allows plenty of tail whip and driver-induced correction before stepping in to save the day and the metal.
3) The C63 AMG is beautifully balanced and poised, thus enabling the driver to explore its outer limits without being subject to unpredictable handling dynamics.
After several hot laps, I was becoming “one with the car” and feeling pretty comfortable in harnessing the C63’s power when needed and exploiting it in full on the straightaways. The AMG sport seats held me firmly in place, allowing me to bond with the car as if Crazy-Glued to its chassis.
For all its ‘race car’ pedigree and AMG heritage, the C63 AMG is commendably civilized when pressed into typical commuter usage. Except for a thirst for nectar, this car could easily serve as a daily driver that offers an adult-friendly rear seat and a usable trunk.
Some acclimation to its firm ride quality may be necessary for those dealing with a heavily decayed road infrastructure, but nonetheless, any highly capable performance machine reacts similarly.
So in closing, will there be blood in the shark tank of coupes this September? I think there will–and it’s not likely to be tri-star red. Stay tuned.
Pricing will be announced closer to availability.
After hitting 230 km/h along the 960-metre straightaway, heavy braking was needed to setup the C63 for a sharp right-hand turn. My entry into the curve was spot-on, but a little too much throttle at the apex hung the tail out far more than anticipated. After correcting for a wild swing back into line, I was fine but it illustrated several characteristics of the C63 AMG for me in techno-colour.
1) The AMG mill has an abundance of low-end torque that it’ll happily deliver with alarming immediacy.
2) The Sport Plus mode allows plenty of tail whip and driver-induced correction before stepping in to save the day and the metal.
 |
| After several hot laps, I was becoming “one with the car” and feeling pretty comfortable in harnessing the C63’s power when needed and exploiting it in full on the straightaways. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
3) The C63 AMG is beautifully balanced and poised, thus enabling the driver to explore its outer limits without being subject to unpredictable handling dynamics.
After several hot laps, I was becoming “one with the car” and feeling pretty comfortable in harnessing the C63’s power when needed and exploiting it in full on the straightaways. The AMG sport seats held me firmly in place, allowing me to bond with the car as if Crazy-Glued to its chassis.
For all its ‘race car’ pedigree and AMG heritage, the C63 AMG is commendably civilized when pressed into typical commuter usage. Except for a thirst for nectar, this car could easily serve as a daily driver that offers an adult-friendly rear seat and a usable trunk.
Some acclimation to its firm ride quality may be necessary for those dealing with a heavily decayed road infrastructure, but nonetheless, any highly capable performance machine reacts similarly.
So in closing, will there be blood in the shark tank of coupes this September? I think there will–and it’s not likely to be tri-star red. Stay tuned.
Pricing will be announced closer to availability.
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