2010 Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Review

The Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG is the most potent version of the German automaker's C-Class sedan. The car delivers a whopping 457 horsepower, putting it comfortably ahead of BMW's all-new M3. With that amount of performance on tap, and a price to match the M3, Mercedes looks to steal at least a few sales away from its cross-country rival.

In typical AMG fashion, the C63 features large performance-oriented tires and wheels, an aggressive bodykit, a much sportier interior, and suspension and chassis improvements.

Unlike the M3’s small displacement V8, the C63 uses a big 6.2L V8. The C63’s powerplant is good for 443 lb-ft of torque and 457 horsepower. The torque curve of the engine is just as impressive as its output: from 2000 to 6250 rpm the driver always has more than 360 pound-feet on tap �' ideal for powerful acceleration in any engine speed range.

The sprint to 62 mph takes a scant 4.5 seconds according to Mercedes -- and that's likely a conservative estimate: real world acceleration is typically even quicker than claimed times.

Maximum torque of 443 pound-feet comes at 5000 rpm. The torque curve is equally impressive: from 2000 to 6250 rpm the driver always has more than 360 pound-feet on tap -- ideal for powerful acceleration in any engine speed range.

A new seven-speed AMG automatic transmission with paddle shifting provides a wide range of driving modes. The different modes are "S" (Sport), " C" (Comfort) and "M" (Manual). Gearshifts in "S" mode are around 30 percent faster than in "C", and no less than around 50 percent faster in "M" mode.

The C 63 AMG owes its outstanding handling dynamics to the AMG sports suspension and an all-new three-link front axle design. The stiff configuration of the springs and gas-pressure shock absorbers ensures optimal road contact and low body movements when negotiating serpentine bends at speed.

The new front axle has a 35-millimetre wider track �' visible by the more widely flared wheel arches �' and therefore ensures lower dynamic wheel loads when cornering.

The front brakes have size 360 x 36-millimeter discs with six-piston fixed callipers, while deceleration at the rear is handled by 330 x 26-millimeter discs with four-piston fixed callipers.

The Electronic Stability Program offers a variety of settings. In "ESP ON" mode, the onset of handling instability leads to braking intervention at one or more of the wheels, accompanied by a reduction in engine torque. Briefly pressing the ESP key activates "ESP SPORT". In this mode the braking intervention to counter oversteer or understeer, as well as the accompanying reduction in engine torque, allows a higher dynamic threshold. Prolonged pressure on the ESP key activates "ESP OFF," whereby there is no intervention.

Pricing

There is no doubt that Mercedes-Benz is squarely taking aiming at BMW's M3 with its all-new C63 AMG Sedan, and that rivalry will be reflected in the car's price. Mercedes has announced that its C63 AMG will come with a base sticker price of $53,800 -- the exact same price of entry for BMW's M3 sedan.

Mercedes to launch electric supercar

If we are to believe Robb Report, a website dealing with luxury news, Mercedes is working towards manufacturing a supercar with zero emissions by 2013. This new car will be manufactured under Mercedes-AMG brand, which are equipped with the best and costliest Mercedes engines. As of now not much is known but electric supercar will be boasting SLS AMG body and features, though it will be costlier than original SLS AMG.

Mercedes SLS Will Have A Little Hybrid Brother

Mercedes plans to bring on market a younger brother of the SLS AMG supercar, capable to adopting a hybrid system, compound by the V6 engine with 305 HP and two electric units.

Mercedes is preparing to bring on market in coming next years, a younger brother of the current SLS AMG supercar, capable to compete with Porsche products. The youngest will adopt a different philosophy from that Mercedes, which it us now, trying to address those who want a hybrid sports model.

The future product from Stuttgart will take a complete different propulsion solution from what we have seen yet, the conventional engine will be assisted by an electric one. The hybrid system configuration will include most likely, the new V6 3.5-liter engine, unveiled last days by the guys from Mercedes, assisted by the two electric units.

beauty that is Mercedes' E500 Cabriolet

Minutes after Danny the horse and I posed for this picture, the men from Mercedes came and collected their lovely new motor and I got in my own car to head to London for an important meeting. It wouldn't start.

So I cadged a lift to the station, where at this precise moment I'm sitting on a bench at the end of the platform like some lunatic trainspotter, with my shoes covered in horse dung, my hair coated in diesel dust and my brand new Tom Ford suit streaked with pigeon poop from the canopy overhead that's supposed to stop things dripping on you. I've written this column from some grim places, but this takes the mick.

The Mercedes E500 Cabriolet is more impressive with the roof up - mainly because it's so quiet that you forget you're in a convertible

Still, as all the trains are delayed, it's as good a time as any to crack on. So, why the horse? Well, originally, a cabriolet - from the French cabrioler, meaning to caper (thanks, Google) - was a light, two-wheeled carriage that could be pulled fast by a single horse, making it the best way of getting around a large town. 'Cab', as in taxi, is an abbreviation of the word. So 200 years ago, Danny here would have been pulling the cabriolet.

I don't think he could pull this one, though, big boy though he is. You can probably tell I'm keeping my distance. I don't do horses. Horsepower, yes - horses, no. I like them, but I don't think they like me. If you had the chance to lounge around in a field all day, eating grass with all the lady horses, I don't think you'd be much impressed by some 14-stone Yorkshireman trying to hitch a ride on your back. I went on a horse once when I was younger, and within ten seconds I was on my back looking at the clouds with my spine lodged in my throat. It was three days before my lungs worked properly. Nope, it's definitely not for me.