The choice to be your best
Dynamic options are available at every touch point in this competition-bred performance saloon as a minimum requirement. Allowing the driver to express their inner race champion and become one with this desirable sports car, this Mercedes-Benz is ideal for all types of car hire.
Performance
Hand-assembled, as one would expect from the formula-winning AMG stable, the 6.3 litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine sets free a prevailing amount of power. With 457 bhp, and 600 Nm of power at 5000 rpm of torque, it is no surprise that this class act accelerates 0-62 mph in 4.4 seconds, one tenth of a second faster than its predecessor. A top speed is governed at of 199 mph for use on public roads. The F1-derived AMG Speedshift Plus 7G-Tronic gearbox is controlled by AMG steering-wheel mounted paddles. This leads Mercedes-Benz to claim jolt free gear changes. Instead of making use of a torque converter, the new C63 has a wet start-off clutch which is designed to deliver a more ‘efficient, agile and direct response’.
What is confirmed are the three driving modes available, namely Sport, Comfort and Manual, with gear changes in Sport approximately 30% faster than in Comfort, and at least 50% faster than in Manual. What the automatic ‘throttle-blipping’ function designed to smooth the downward gear changes does do is to build the Formula One experience with characteristic auditory cues. It even comes with a ‘Race Start’ function along with double-declutching.
Significantly, the performance of the 2011 AMG Saloon has been improved through the C63’s steering system. The speed-sensitive rack and pinion steering with steering damper now joins team mate in the front axle design to compound a compression ratio of 11.3:1. Lower down the gearbox, increased steering assistance adds to the manoeuvrability of the car, whilst at higher speeds this decreases to allow the driver to retain the feeling of control. The power-steering pump has undergone an upgrade resulting in lower better fuel consumption.
Being born into the AMG family, the true calibre of the C63 Saloon can be felt and seen in the way it moves and the way it feels to hand, eye and heart. Underpinning the superb engine, transmission and steering, the handling of the C63 AMG Saloon 2011 has also undergone development. This has resulted in the three-stage (On, Sport, Off) Electronic Stability Program with Sport Function. This is the first AMG to include the ‘Sport’ function. When handling instability occurs, in ‘On’ mode, braking intervention at one or more wheels takes place, with an accompanied reduction in engine torque. ‘Sport’ mode allows such intervention to counteract under-steer or over-steer, again supported by a reduction in torque. Comfort and confidence by all in the car is dramatically improved. ‘Off’ results in a driver-controlled race-like context.
In all three modes however, pure motoring intelligence underscores the handling environment. Regardless of mode, traction logic is active, and should one wheel encounter a loss of traction, specific brake pressure is made available with application creating a diff lock effect. Power is thus never wasted. Such awesome handling of course comes from a foundation of classic genius.
Exterior
At the front, this is provided by three link suspension, with anti-dive, coil springs, gas pressure shock absorbers and stabiliser. At the rear multi-link independent suspension with anti-squat and anti-lift features contribute to all-round handling. Improved spring and damper rates have however added to the 2011 release. The patented AMG Braking system is underpinned by disc brakes all round as well as ABS, and Brake Assist.
With 18” 5-spoke AMG light alloy wheels providing a standard level of quality, the revised AMG bodykit sets this 2011 Mercedes-Benz apart from its peers. Beginning with the ‘powerdome’ aluminium bonnet, the front countenance of the C63 AMG Saloon certainly provides the edge above all performance saloons. Dark tinted headlights and the front apron containing rounded chromed fog lamps distils the impression of mightiness.
The sporty appearance continues with the new-look front and rear lights. The side view exhibits the unique 6.3 AMG logo just behind the flared wheel arches. Side skirts and LED daylights complete this profile. At the rear, dual twin chromed exhaust pipes with a black diffuser insert and three prominent diffuser fins supply a sleek but racy report. The AMG spoiler on the boot not only compounds this appearance but also reduces lift and enables improved handling and stability at top speeds. All of these are subtly enhanced by the Matte Black finish, allowing them and the driver to stand clear of the masses.
Interior
The instrument cluster is of particular interest for this release of this C63 AMG Saloon. Trademark tubular dials with AMG-specific lettering, ‘night-time’ design, red needles, and the evocative 6.3 V8 logo in the centre of the rev counter leave the driver with no illusions as to the F1-derived lineage of this super saloon car.
The latest round of Mercedes driver assistance technology also characterise this edition. ‘Warm-up’, ‘Set-up’, and ‘Race’ modes are activated by buttons via the three-spoke AMG steering wheel. ‘Warm up’ displays the engine oil and coolant temperature, ‘Set-up’ the current ESP mode deployed, whilst ‘Race’ allows the driver to record and chase down lap times.
Seating continues to highlight the race-winning thoroughbred being hired. This latest design of AMG sports seats list attributes such as an adaptive backrest with integrated lumbar support, AMG-personalised head restraints and horizontal fluting. Improved cabin materials include black ceiling lining, dark aluminium trim, and brushed stainless steel sports pedals.
An audio system with digital media card reader, six CD player system that also reads MP3 is a standard piece of the in-car entertainment. 475 litres of boot space mean that this sports saloon is versatile for any hire need.
Overview
With the best power-to-weight ratio in its class, the C 63 AMG Saloon boasts a powerful 6,208cc AMG V8 engine, and the resulting peak output of 457hp (336 kW) and 600Nm torque propels the vehicle from 0-62mph in just 4.5 seconds. For a comfortable yet enjoyable drive, the new revving function 'blips' the throttle when downshifting, to facilitate rapid and smooth gear changing.
AMG Sports Suspension features a newly developed front axle with a 35mm wider track - visible by the more widely flared wheel arches - ensuring both outstanding driving enjoyment and exemplary handling dynamics. A new three-stage ESP® system has also been specifically configured for the C 63 AMG, enabling the driver to choose between three modes - ESP® ON, ESP® SPORT and ESP® OFF.
ESP®
Mercedes-Benz and AMG are continually finding ways to enhance the ESP® philosophy, and the new 3-stage ESP® Sport offers a choice of settings.ESP® ON aligns safety with the vehicle's sporty characteristics. Any onset of handling instability leads to braking intervention, and a reduction in engine torque.ESP® SPORT allows a drift angle for a sporty driving style, and permits a higher dynamic threshold, resulting in more active driving pleasure.And ESP® OFF deactivates the system for an extremely sporty driving style - to only be used by experienced drivers on dedicated racetracks. As with ESP® SPORT, braking restores the functions of ESP®, ensuring that safety takes precedence.
Suspension
The C 63 AMG Saloon owes its outstanding handling dynamics and typical Mercedes-Benz long-distance comfort to AMG Sports Suspension.A redesigned three-link front axle has a 35mm wider track than the standard saloon for substantially more stability. The new wheel location is twice as rigid, improving steering precision, and ensuring an immediate braking response.
Further improvements include tighter spring and damper settings, a larger torsion-bar stabiliser, and a camber increase of one degree. The multi-link rear axle also benefits from a redesign, with a 12mm wider track, larger damper, and an increase in the camber of 0.3 degrees. These measures enable improved cornering performance, driving stability and precision.
Transmission
Equipped with AMG steering wheel gearshift paddles and three driving modes, the seven-speed automatic transmission allows a decidedly sporty or more comfort-oriented style of driving. The different modes C (Comfort), S (Sport) and M (Manual) differ in their shift characteristics and speed. C mode sees fewer gear changes for smoother driving. The S mode is programmed for high-performance driving, with gear shifts around 30% faster than in C. The M mode holds your preferred gear, but also benefits from ultra-fast shift times - approximately 50% more responsive than in comfort mode. The C 63 AMG Saloon is also the first AMG car to feature an automatic revving function when shifting down, providing rapid, smooth downshifting, and reducing braking torque on the drive axle.
Steering
Steering has been greatly improved by the new front axle design. The speed-sensitive AMG sports steering has a ratio of 13.5:1, with a more precise feel - the result of moving the "instant centre of motion" at the modified front axle. At low speeds, steering assistance is increased to help manoeuvrability, and decreased at higher speeds for increased feel and control. A rigid disc in the steering column, plus modified steering characteristics, make a further contribution to increased precision.
Brakes
The C 63 AMG Saloon features the AMG high-performance braking system. Characterised by great sensitivity and high fade-resistance, the system delivers outstanding deceleration thanks to large internally ventilated and fully perforated brake discs. The front brakes are 360mm (in diameter) x 36mm discs with six-piston fixed callipers, whilst deceleration at the rear is courtesy of 330mm (in diameter) x 26mm discs with four-piston fixed callipers.
Performance Pack Plus
The much anticipated AMG Performance Package Plus features an engine power upgrade by 30hp (22kw) to 487hp (358kw). This increased horsepower is made possible by lighter forged pistons, newly developed connecting rods, a revised crankshaft and variable intake manifold painted titanium grey. Front and rear red-painted brake calipers and the AMG performance steering wheel in nappa leather/Alcantara® are both new features for the C63 AMG, with a carbon-fibre spoiler lip specific to the Saloon. The AMG high-performance composite brake system with new brake discs on the front wheels completes the package.
Top tip:
Put yourself in the driving seat of a high-performance racing saloon when you hire the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG for self-drive hire and feel like Fangio, Coulthard, Rosberg and Schumacher when you hold the black Nappa leather, sawn-off steering wheel and change gear using the paddles positioned either side of the 365mm-wide wheel.
