We recently spent some time with the somewhat contentious Mercedes-AMG C63S E-Performance, which left us pondering about defining ‘better’.  

The Mercedes-AMG C63S E-Performance has made plenty of headlines, and not always for the right reasons. AMG broke a few hearts when it announced that the characterful V8s that have been employed in the C-AMGs until now would be replaced by a four-pot. However, the company tried to assure us that the performance of the newest model would more than make up for the lack of character (we’ll come back to this word later).

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Debut

The model made its debut and the stats were quite impressive. The latest C63S boasts a powerful hybrid powertrain, taking lessons learned from the company’s F1 exploits. The turbocharged inline four cranks out 350 kW, making it the most powerful 2,0-litre series production engine on sale anywhere in the world today. Allied to this is an electrical drive component that ramps peak power up to a monstrous 500 kW. THAT is a lot of power, which is the result of a whopping torque output of 1 020 N.m of torque. Traditional rivals such as the BMW M3 Competition xDrive have 390 kW and the Audi RS4 Avant ‘just’ 331 kW.

You can read about the history of the C-Class AMG by clicking these links: Part One, Part Two and Part Three.

First AWD

To harness all that power the C63S E-Performance is all-wheel drive. The switch from RWD to AWD is probably a generation or two late as the previous two iterations were really unruly, tail-happy monsters. A nine-speed automatic with variable shift programs transmits power to all four corners. This includes a race start, or launch control function. With this mode engaged the latest C63S can blast from rest to 100 km/h in 3,4 seconds. This is Mercedes’ claim, but independent testing shows the car is even quicker, shaving up to a tenth off that time. Flat out the latest C63S can do 250 km/h, or if you check the right box on the options list you can add 30 km/h to that figure.

On the Move

The AWD system has made the C63S an easier car to drive fast. It gives the driver a great sense of security knowing that throttle applications are handle by four tyres rather than just the rear two. As a result one can drive this car quicker through the twisty bits than any of its predecessors. At least, for us mere mortals without many SA driving titles to their names. This makes it superior to its forebears, which were known to be unruly and led by the large engines up front. However, some of the performance is blunted by the overall mass, now on the wrong side of two tons. The car is really quick from point to point but the mass makes itself felt when you try to really push on. The brakes, too, feel as though they could do with a bit more bite.

Lacking Character

Many say that the C63S E-Performance lacks character. That is quite a difficult aspect of a car to nail down. Cars, unlike people, aren’t funny, warm, generous, etc. So what is character exactly. If we had to boil it down, it relates to the noises that a car produces. In some cases it is induction noise, watch any video of a BMW M3 CSL or a side-draught sucking Ford Mk1 Escort as good examples. In others it is a distinctive idle or firing order, ie a rotary or a cross-plane V8. And lastly there is a signature exhaust note, such as a 911 GT3 or a Lambo Gallardo.

In this regard, yes, the C63S lacks somewhat. The newest member of the family makes none of nice burbley, growly angry noises of the V8-fitted versions. The inline four sounds like an angrier version of the similar engine found in an A45S, which isn’t really that surprising. Crackling on a trailing throttle and whip-cracks on full throttle on up-shifts are about as dramatic as the noises get.

Summary

The C63S E-Performance is more luxurious than its predecessors with a higher level of technology in the cabin and under-the-skin. It is more powerful, quicker and faster. In our eyes it is also a nicer car to drive, and easier to drive fast. As a result it is also a better ‘tourer’ or all-purpose sportscar. It has the pace and practicality to make it an ideal candidate for your everyday car with serious performance credentials when desired.

So why has it copped the level of criticism that it has? Is it not a better car? That leads to the inevitable question: how do we define ‘better’? By all measurable yardsticks the latest to wear this badge is the best. If you judge a car purely by its character ie the sounds that it makes, then you’re likely to miss out on a seriously good performance car in the C63S E-Performance.

Model: Mercedes-AMG C63S E-Performance
Price: R2 476 800
Engine: 2,0-litre inline four, turbopetrol hybrid
Transmission: nine-speed automatic, AWD
Max power: 500 kW
Max torque: 1 020 N.m
Top speed: 280 km/h
0-100 km/h: 3,4 sec
Fuel consumption: 10,5 L/100 km (14L as reviewed)