I’m coming into a quick righthander on Circuito Ascari in southern Spain within the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency and the squawk from the tires rapidly turns into a four-wheel slide. It’s a brief, controllable slide, however no slide is good for quick lap occasions.
Observe beast
There are a couple of causes for the slide. First, I got here into the nook just a little sizzling, however that’s simple to do with 671 hp at my disposal. Second, the 265/45R20 entrance and 275/35R20 rear Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires make for a tremendous set of efficiency rubber, however this automotive may use a stickier tire for this clean, roughly 2.5-mile monitor. Third, and most significantly, this automotive is simply plain heavy.
The alphabet soup that’s the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency—can we simply name it the C63 E for cripe’s sake?—trades a rowdy twin-turbo V-8 for a classy turbo-4 plug-in hybrid setup and features 780 kilos within the course of. The change makes the automotive sooner in a straight line and even on a monitor, however it depends on medical expertise as an alternative of sunshine weight and brute power to take action.
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
Again to that slide. Numerous expertise helps me transition from the slide to a sharply executed flip. It begins with the everyday stuff normal within the final C 63, like superior stability management with 4 ranges of adjustment starting from Fundamental to Grasp, and an digital limited-slip differential to apportion the facility effectively on the rear.
However then there’s the brand new stuff, and all of it’s on the rear axle. The eLSD is accompanied again there by an electrical motor that may add as much as 201 hp for electrical all-wheel drive. It sends its energy by way of a 2-speed transmission that shifts up at 87 mph to ship the perfect torque down low and the perfect energy at excessive velocity. The motor revs to 13,500 rpm, so the transmission’s shift level is programmed to get essentially the most out of it in first gear, then enable it to spin all the best way as much as the automotive’s 174-mph high velocity.
A 6.1-kwh battery, developed by AMG with information from the Formulation 1 program, doles out fast photographs of power to the motor and recovers it rapidly. It sits above the rear motor and differential. Rear-wheel steering sits again there, too. It might probably flip as much as 2.5 levels reverse the fronts at 62 mph and beneath to shorten corners and 0.7 diploma with the fronts above that velocity to enhance stability.
All that gear on the rear strikes the automotive’s weight round, leading to a 49:51 front-to-rear weight stability.
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
On the finish of every straight, I get the velocity beneath management by stomping on the brakes. The brake pedal feels robust as 6-piston entrance calipers clamp down on 15.4-inch rotors, and single-piston calipers pinch 14.6-inch rear rotors. The brakes maintain up by way of a number of monitor periods, however they may grip more durable, and such a heavy automotive could be higher served by carbon-ceramic brakes for the monitor. Mercedes says they are going to be an choice.
As soon as braking places the load on the entrance tires, the automotive rotates willingly. It even begins to over-rotate once I flip too sharply. Whereas it’s simple to get better, this is able to be a great way to start a drift for the accessible Drift mode. The automotive turns in rapidly by way of fast, weighty, and secure front-wheel steering. In the meantime, the rear-wheel steering helps shorten the tighter corners, and the eLSD places the facility down successfully within the center and out of every nook.
Again on the throttle into the subsequent straight, extra expertise comes into play. The M139l 2.0-liter turbo-4 from the CLA 45 sedan and GLA 45 crossover SUV sits longitudinally on this automotive slightly than transversely elsewhere. It makes use of an electrical/exhaust gasoline turbocharger powered by the automotive’s 400-volt electrical structure and in addition developed from F1 expertise. The electrical energy permits the turbo to spool up rapidly earlier than the hand-off to exhaust gases. The engine makes 469 hp and 404 lb-ft of torque by itself.
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
The electrical motor can add as much as 201 hp to present the automotive a most of 671 hp—nicely generally. The motor can at all times add 94 hp of steady energy, successfully making the C 63 a 563-hp automotive at any given time. In Consolation and Battery Maintain modes, although, the motor provides 25% of its energy, or 50 hp for a complete of 519 hp. In Sport mode, it provides 65%, or 130 hp, to convey the whole to 599 hp. In Sport+ mode and Race mode with out kick down, it provides 80%, or 160 hp, for 629 hp. In any mode, a notched kick down on the finish of the throttle pedal journey, unleashes the automotive’s full energy in 10-second intervals.
The ability is at all times on the prepared. Between the early spool of the turbo and the shot of energy from the rear motor, the C 63 is at all times able to slingshot out of corners and keep on boil to the engine’s 7,000-rpm redline. Mercedes quotes a 0-60 mph time of simply 3.3 seconds, a half second faster than the previous-generation C 63 S, which made 503 hp from a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8.
The engine’s energy flows by way of a 9-speed automated transmission that makes use of a moist clutch as an alternative of a torque converter. It retains choosing the proper gear for the state of affairs on the monitor, and I quickly study it’s finest to let it do the shifting. After I change to guide shifting, I get out of kinds searching for the paddle shifters as a result of they aren’t very massive and so they don’t flip with the steering wheel. I rapidly change again to automated mode.
The ability from the rear goes completely to the rear wheels when it’s used as an add-on, so the transmission doesn’t should cope with the power of the automotive’s full 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque.
Throughout this monitor session, I’m utilizing Mercedes’ Observe Tempo app, which has been programmed to incorporate Ascari, for optimum energy supply. It’s considered one of about 20 tracks at the moment within the app, and that can enhance to 70-80 tracks around the globe. The app has Scorching Lap and Endurance settings to finest decide when to make the complete electrical enhance accessible and maintain it accessible. Every monitor session contains seven laps, two to get the lay of the monitor, three sizzling, and two cooldown. The additional cooldown lap helps get better power to cost the battery again up close to 100% so the motor’s full energy is accessible for the subsequent session. Operating within the Scorching Lap setting would drain the battery on these longer periods and sap energy on later laps.
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
Canyon star
Whereas the brand new C 63’s weight compromises its monitor efficiency, that each one modifications on the street. Observe driving stresses a automotive at its limits, however anybody driving to a automotive’s limits on the street is asking for a crash, jail time, or each. It’s that final 10-15% of unchecked aggression that shifts the C 63’s weight on the monitor, however that doesn’t occur on the road.
With out the pendulum of additional weight, the C 63 feels way more athletic. It turns sharply, leans much less, and recovers its weight higher for switchbacks. The powertrain’s prepared energy feels even stronger on the attractive mountain roads exterior Malaga, Spain, the place full-throttle bursts aren’t the norm. It’s a grand strategy to tour these roads, and that’s what the C 63 has grow to be: extra of a grand tourer than a brilliant sport sedan.
On the mountain roads the brand new C 63 merely doesn’t drive as large because it does on the monitor, despite the fact that it’s larger than an ordinary C-Class. It’s 3.3 inches longer than the bottom automotive, with most of that within the entrance finish, and the wheelbase grows by 0.4 inch. Wider fenders match large tires, and the entrance monitor will increase by 2.0 inches. A part of the additional dimension is because of aerodynamic parts. To raised reduce by way of the air, the C 63 has a jet wing-design entrance fascia backed by two energetic air panels to regulate cooling, aspect skirts, and a big rear diffuser.
The street drive provides me an opportunity to tune into the automotive’s new sound. With out the mellifluous thrum of a V-8, the C 63 depends on some audio trickery to maintain an appropriately imply soundtrack. Mercedes provides exterior audio system to present the automotive a sound when operating in Electrical mode. These similar audio system decide up sound from the engine utilizing a stress sensor within the exhaust system. That sound is then enhanced and despatched by way of the cabin by way of the audio system.
If I didn’t know any higher, I’d suppose I’m driving a V-8. The engine doesn’t bellow as deeply because the previous V-8, however it’s nonetheless low and guttural and it cracks and pops on overrun. It’s louder in Sport+ and Race modes, however aside from in Electrical mode, it’s a continuing companion to remind you this can be a efficiency automotive. Simply don’t take into consideration the truth that it’s principally pretend and it received’t hassle you.
The road drive additionally provides me the chance to show the dial on the fitting aspect of the steering wheel to take a look at driving modes aside from Race. Electrical mode makes use of the rear motor completely so long as the battery has sufficient cost and my proper foot stays restrained. It’s no enjoyable driving this manner. I typically begin the engine, and it rapidly drains the battery and its eight miles of electrical vary, so I quickly change to Consolation and Sport modes. They supply greater than sufficient punch, however the shifts in Sport mode are extra to my liking to maintain the facility accessible. Observe mode’s fast shifts are too excessive for stop-and-go site visitors.
The most effective mode, nevertheless, is Particular person. Apart from on a monitor or clean canyon street, I wouldn’t need the adjustable dampers in something aside from their Consolation setting. Ported over from the AMG GT Black Sequence, they begin out agency and progress to downright stiff. Even of their softest mode, the rear finish juts upward over sharp bumps. Particular person lets me select Consolation for the dampers and a sportier mode for the powertrain.
I can even select from 4 ranges of brake regeneration. On this automotive, ranges 0 and 1, which offer coasting and engine braking, respectively, really feel essentially the most pure. Degree 3 offers one-pedal driving functionality, however solely when the battery is low sufficient to simply accept a cost. Because the battery cost will increase, the system typically locks me out from Degree 3.
The C 63 provides some sporty parts to the C-Class’s already lovely cabin. Sport seats come normal however our take a look at vehicles have the non-compulsory AMG Efficiency seats with aspect bolster cutouts to suit racing harnesses. They’re confining and so they’re giving just a little like to my love handles, however they’re not too tight for wider backsides.
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency
The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster provides seven display screen choices, together with Sport, Supersport, and Observe Tempo that put increasingly more efficiency data entrance and heart. The usual 11.9-inch portrait-style heart touchscreen additionally provides a number of telemetry readouts.
Pricing isn’t but accessible for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency, which is ready to go on sale late subsequent summer time. Nonetheless, Mercedes reps steered a few 10% enhance from the outgoing mannequin, which began close to $80,000.
The subsequent-generation C 63 future-proofs the model’s sport sedan for tightening emissions requirements, particularly in Europe, the place it’s rated at 6.9 liters/100 km versus 10.4 liters/100 km for the final mannequin, a 51% enchancment. U.S. effectivity scores aren’t but accessible.
Evolution turns what was a rambunctious V-8-powered sport sedan right into a medical and extra highly effective plug-in hybrid. It drinks much less gasoline, accelerates sooner, and even goes round a monitor faster, however it will get heavy and that modifications it from a rowdy monitor automotive right into a technologically superior grand tourer within the course of.
Mercedes-Benz paid for journey, lodging, and monitor time for Motor Authority to convey you this firsthand report.
