1st place - Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
Brawny yet refined, the racy 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG was the clear-cut winner in the minds of our jury. The powerful growl of the 6.2L engine and the blistering accelerations it allows are pretty hard to match, let alone surpass.
From a pure performance standpoint, this sedan tops 100 km/h in 5.28 seconds, almost four tenths of a second faster than its closest rival. And the symphonic exhaust note sends chills through any performance-seeking driver.
The mighty C63 AMG is not immune to critics, however. For one, the steering feels somewhat heavy, forcing the driver to be more accurate in sharp turns. Additionally, the 7-speed automatic transmission operates slowly. In manual mode, you must wait a few tenths of a second after shifting to get the desired effect. This certainly does not help in making the car more dynamic. But that's not all: fuel economy is also affected since the transmission holds gears a little longer.
Elsewhere, the seats are a tad narrow and fairly difficult to adjust. The suspension is excessively rigid, meaning you will feel every imperfection the road throws your way.
When styling matters, however, the C63 wins in a landslide. The lines are refined yet aggressive, making for a sophisticated, unmistakably unique package. The car looks and feels like it could thrust you into outer space.
Fit and finish is also worth mentioning and, once again, we must insist on the amazing engine output and one-of-a-kind sound effects. These reasons are enough to put the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG on top of the podium.
"The 6.2L V8 is dangerously addictive. I could not help but to hammer the throttle whenever the slightest urge arose." Michel Deslauriers
Brawny yet refined, the racy 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG was the clear-cut winner in the minds of our jury. The powerful growl of the 6.2L engine and the blistering accelerations it allows are pretty hard to match, let alone surpass.
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From a pure performance standpoint, this sedan tops 100 km/h in 5.28 seconds, almost four tenths of a second faster than its closest rival. And the symphonic exhaust note sends chills through any performance-seeking driver.
The mighty C63 AMG is not immune to critics, however. For one, the steering feels somewhat heavy, forcing the driver to be more accurate in sharp turns. Additionally, the 7-speed automatic transmission operates slowly. In manual mode, you must wait a few tenths of a second after shifting to get the desired effect. This certainly does not help in making the car more dynamic. But that's not all: fuel economy is also affected since the transmission holds gears a little longer.
Elsewhere, the seats are a tad narrow and fairly difficult to adjust. The suspension is excessively rigid, meaning you will feel every imperfection the road throws your way.
 |
When styling matters, however, the C63 wins in a landslide. The lines are refined yet aggressive, making for a sophisticated, unmistakably unique package. The car looks and feels like it could thrust you into outer space.
Fit and finish is also worth mentioning and, once again, we must insist on the amazing engine output and one-of-a-kind sound effects. These reasons are enough to put the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG on top of the podium.
"The 6.2L V8 is dangerously addictive. I could not help but to hammer the throttle whenever the slightest urge arose." Michel Deslauriers
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