Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance F1 Edition

Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance F1 Edition

Two German houses have a long-standing rivalry. It's the V8 against the inline-6, the C-Class vs. the 3 Series, and AMG against BMW M. Two families, calling the same nation home, are dividing the performance world in a petrol-powered competition. It's a romantic story that could have been inspired by Shakespeare, in which two powerhouses combat each other, but the attraction fuelled by competition creates something of a fairy tale.

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Mercedes and BMW, yin and yang, or Montagues and Capulets. It’s a story with decades of memories to tell, and one that is far from its ultimate conclusion. Much like the fable of old, where the Montagues and Capulets represented two Italian households in a battle for power of political supremacy brought together through taboo passion, the M3 and the C63 tell a similar story. Both are exceptional vehicles of any generation, plaguing the automotive battlefield with a goal of bettering one another, but in turn, pushing one another in a competitive love affair to better themselves through the evolution of power.

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BMW’s M3 is an icon in the motoring world and one which South Africans tend to lean towards. It’s a formula that has been tried and tested. Praised for its harmonious balance and ever-shocking performance, it’s a titan in the automotive world. One that is only threatened by and arguably wouldn’t exist quite as we know it without its AMG nemesis, the C63.

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The world is changing, and with this change comes the demand for new and clean iterations of beloved cars. And although the formula is forced in a less than ideal direction, the story continues. BMW plays the traditional role, with a resilient protest against change, whilst Mercedes-AMG turns to the future and absorbs the mindset of change, but it can't shake the haunting M division. With the goal of presenting the best of what the new-age AMG has to offer, I play the role of the flirtatious protagonist in love with the M3 behind the wheel of the latest C63.

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Merc’s AMG V8 holds a special place in the history of German cars. They are loud and thirsty, and they are so much fun to drive. Add the touch of handcrafted exclusivity to the equation, and it’s more than just an engine; it’s a statement. I don’t think anybody was surprised at the global protest of the new C63 DNA, but before I had sealed my opinion on this controversial saloon, we put it to the test in the company of its oppressors. 

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At the heart of the C63 S modern story is the M139l power unit, which is at the core of the debate. It's a universally used performance engine in the AMG fleet. Unlike other broadly employed platforms, there is a reason why Mercedes is dropping it into almost every chassis on its production line. It’s a brilliant four-banger, and paired with F1-designed hybrid technology, there is no question that it was bound to be fast. To put a number to it, it surpasses its most formidable rival, the M3, with a combined output of 500kW and 1,020Nm. At least from a power front. 

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If we were to break down the figures, 350kW is from the ICE engine, and 150kW is provided from the electric motor. In turn, this offers a 0-100 time of 3.69 seconds at altitude and will likely claw its way closer to the claimed 3.4-second time at the coast. Off the line, the C63 S is a rocket, and its electric assist provides the low-end torque needed for a rapid launch. Not only does the electric motor offer instant response and power, but the turbo is electrically assisted for less to no turbo lag, making it a super turbocharger of sorts. Under acceleration, the cabin plays to the thrill of G-force and tightens the seatbelts for a more comforting experience. As a result, this overwhelming busyness is sure to shock the socks off any unsuspecting passengers, which I can attest to.

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However, it’s a tale told from both sides, and BMW's story is one of charm and emotion. Only we have a unicorn as a comparison, one which is an M3 at heart, but some cosmetic work around its rear end creates a novelty celebrated by its exclusivity. However, cosmetics are surface level; it’s what's inside that matters. The M3 Touring I went toe-to-toe with isn’t as threatening on paper, producing a modest power output in comparison from its twin-turbocharged inline-6. The power difference is exponential, but in practice, tradition shows that if it's not broken, don’t fix it.

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Despite its power difference, the M3 is no slouch off the line, but the C63 has the advantage. But there is a reason you will find the M3 at a racetrack, not a drag strip. It’s a nimble tool of precision and thrills. As for the AMG, we have lost four cylinders and a turbo, and in turn, you would hope it’s a lighter and more precise car, but instead, we have gained a rear-mounted two-speed electric motor and a rear-mounted high-performance battery, so it isn’t light. In fact, it comes in with a gross weight of 2,650 kg. This leads me to my next point: considering its weight, it’s the best-handling C-Class yet.

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There are a number of trick features that make the C63 handle like a rollercoaster, and I'd like to start by mentioning its rear-wheel steering first. It's a fairly new technology, and it takes a bit of getting used to. When you turn into a corner, you get a brief sense of oversteer, which your body almost wants to correct. However, it is the rear wheels that assist in changing direction. It is designed to allow for better traction at the rear before sliding, and I found it to complement its weight well. As the wheels are working with you in the corner, all the weight in the back is applying less pressure to the sidewall, and in turn, it has a lot of grip.

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The C63 S E Performance is a no-nonsense, well-tuned tool in the corners. The light steering feel, paired with the enormous amount of front-end grip, allows you to turn into corners with sharp inputs without so much as the slightest hint of understeer. Once the weight shifts to the outside wheels, the rear wheel steering takes over. It’s a firm ride, as it needs to be to avoid its weight from throwing the car around when changing directions. Most surprisingly, it’s incredibly simple to drive quickly even for those with less experience.

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It’s a sportscar, so it needs to sound and feel the part. So, the noise is boisterous but not overbearing, the steering is light but sharp, and the inputs are instant; there isn’t really much to it. What this reveals is an overcomplicated computer assistance system, as it almost feels like you are the one telling it what to do, and the car does the job and removes the on-the-edge sense of excitement. It's almost too easy for somebody who enjoys a raw driving experience. Que a menacing re-entry of the M3.

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Back to back, the M3 and C63 seem to be almost equal in both spectrums of the performance graph. They're fast in a straight line, and they are clinical in the corners, but the AMG team has demonstrated to have a keen eye on technology, and with modern tech comes a lack of character, which I assure you the M3 does not lack. This means that your skilled and experienced drivers will feel almost stifled by the C63. While the M3 provides a high level of engagement behind the wheel and the rewarding sensation of growing with your car rather than instantly understanding it.

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Alright, enough with the driving; the exterior styling and inside are arguably just as important, and considering I am behind the wheel of a Merc, it's sure to look the part. Well, now we can touch on the F1 Edition of this model. And no, you are not missing out on what it adds to the performance, as it is purely aesthetic with a touch of aero improvement. On the outside, the F1 Edition adds beautiful grey paintwork that blends into a black AMG decal along the bottom of the car. Red trim encompasses the base of the exterior from the front lip, side skirts, wheels, and rear diffuser. Speaking of which, the rear diffuser, front lip, and rear spoiler are also part of this package. As for the inside, you get a few F1 logos around the cabin, and all this will set you back R300k.

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It's pricey, I know, but it certainly doesn’t look half bad. I'm actually quite fond of the C63's new look. It's more aggressive than the older models and provides this presence, which is new yet recognisable from any angle. However, this isn’t a one-sided story, and with a R300k aesthetic added to the C63 S F1 Edition, we need to include the fact that this M3 isn't a standard M3 either; it’s a Touring. However, for the massively bold addition of a station wagon design, you would think that it's priced similarly to Merc's C63 F1 package. On the contrary, the Touring edition is only R20k more than the standard edition and further proves the unjustifiable price from its competitor.

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As for the interior of the C63, well, it's very similar to the standard C-Class with a few additions. Firstly, my favourite steering wheel at the moment takes centre stage with its Alcantara touches, thick feel, and dials for your performance settings at your fingertips. The dash is covered with carbon fibre, and the red seatbelts remind you that you're in something special. The AMG seats are exceptional for keeping you secure in the corners, but they are firm. While I'm still in the early stages of life, after three hours behind the wheel, the stiff wriggles began.

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As much as I believe all battles should be decided on the racetrack, pricing plays a large role in the realistic element of car ownership. Now I have fortunately experienced the M3 too, but I'll leave Deon to explain why it’s better. The most obvious shortcoming in the C63 S E Performance F1 Edition, well, besides its name, is its price. It comes in at R2,796,389, and as a reminder, the F1 package is R300k of that sum. It's not cheap in the slightest. The W205 outgoing model started at around the R1.7m mark, so I'm scratching my head at the 4-cylinder model's price. Even the current M3 comes in at R2,198,002 and a little more for the Touring, so Merc's approach doesn’t make much sense to me. Besides the fact that they need to make money, that is.

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As this is a family feud, I can’t ignore the M5 for much longer, as its bigger body and big brother approach to the M3 still offer a more affordable package over the C63. And guess what? It has a twin-turbocharged V8 with a PHEV system. It's a car that combines a more traditional performance philosophy with modern design, perfectly blending efficiency, blistering performance, and base performance apparatuses. I wouldn’t be surprised if the M5 nameplate is a curse word in the Mercedes HQ.

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Let's forget the price for now. The new C63 S E Performance is an exceptional car. It's fun for the less experienced, and it's fun for the seasoned sportscar owner. It's competent and makes use of some of the best tech we have seen in the performance car world. I also believe that, as much as this is our future, this four-cylinder solution is a few years ahead of its time, and AMG would have benefitted from one more run with the twin-turbo V8.

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But it’s a story that likely wouldn’t be told without the likes of its Bayerische counterpart, the M3. Both cars are impressive, and I might lean more towards one than the other. But both should be celebrated for what they represent: an internationally recognised story that divides and unites fans. It's a battle that has shaped the best sports saloons into what they are today. BMW M and AMG, two names divided but joined in a heroic back and forth in an iconic automotive tussle. 

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