BROWSE CAR REVIEWS BY:
MAKE
MODEL
Click on a car body type for search results.
 |
 |
| SUVs (two rows) | SUVs (three rows) |
 |
 |
| Crossover | Minivans |
 |
 |
| Sedan | Hybrids |
 |
 |
| Wagons/Hatchbacks | Just for Fun |
2008 Mercedes C63 AMG Preview
Mar 14 2008 by Courtney Messenbaugh
3/14/08
High-Performance Benz a Rock Star Kind of Car
Every engine in a Mercedes-Benz AMG car is painstakingly made by a rock star, start to finish. They aren't rock stars in the vein of Mick Jagger, but there are 50 AMG engine technicians who build each engine individually. Each engine is engraved with the name of the technician who built it, and after attending the launch of the C63 AMG last week, I can attest that these people truly are rock stars.
I've driven a few manufacturers' high-performance models, and after driving the C63 AMG I can say with certainty that it's my favorite to date. Philosophically, it resonated with me. What I mean is that, unlike some high-performance cars that in their flashiness say "I'm totally overcompensating," an AMG says "I'm totally at ease with who I am, enjoy the finer things in life and, by the way, am a lot smarter and more fun than you." These vehicles are beautiful, sleek, modern and seem to effortlessly cast a spell on you. They're brilliant.
The C63 is the "entry-level" AMG. Well, I may be a novice, but even the veteran journalists around me were taken in by this car's power and beauty. As for price, it comes in at just less than $54K! Honestly, I thought it would cost twice that. Between you and me, I think they could charge more for this car and still sell quite a few of them.
The C63 has a 451-horsepower, 6.3-liter V-8 engine and does 0-60 in 4.3 seconds, blah, blah, blah. Not to worry, moms of the world, it's also a four-door sedan with plenty of space for a family of four. Accessible Latch system? Check. Roomy trunk/cargo space? Check. I think it's safe to assume this car's engineers didn't have moms in mind when they made it, but it could easily be my perfect mom-mobile.
A few others goodies of note: A powered glass sunroof and heated seats are standard, and you can opt to get power rear window shades (I could so use that when my son goes mad about having the sun in his eyes). There's also an optional six-disc CD/DVD changer.
Even though we only spent a day together, I loved this car. In fact, even at the risk of sounding cliche, I have to say it: Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes-Benz?
User Comments
“Roomy” cargo/trunk space?? the ‘08 CTS and G35 have 1 cu ft more trunk space, 10 cu ft more passenger volume, and get the same gas mileage than the C350—which has 40 less hp. if you like cushy, the ES350 has 2 more cu ft of trunk space. and don’t even get me started on reliability
excuse me, unfair comparison. the S4 STILL beats the trunk space category ... M3 arguably best handling sedan (hooray, they finally make a 4-door). S4 has standard AWD security. just saying there are significant offerings out there that also shine
DL, I believe you that there are other great offerings out there, I’m just awaiting my invite to try them and for now, I stand by my deep affection for the C63, it was fun!
LOL. All of the cars above have one problem with them. They are not a Mercedes. Come on! An ES350? Don’t even put those letters on the same page as a C63.
Really? Comparing a ES350 to a C63? Are you daft DL?
The ES350 is a car for people who have, in their minds, the ideal car being a sofa with wheels. It has no soul, no purpose, its just a thing with space and wheels for nameless, dreary dolts to run around in and be completely anti-social. Its the kind of car that says “I have completely given up on life, so I’m hiding myself in my failure to feel alive.”
The G35? A better comparison to it is the 335 or C350 (which has 272 hp actually), but the C63 outperforms both quite handily. The M3 or RS4 are better comparisons to the C63.
As far as reliability goes, MB has been known to have (warranty fixable) powertrain problems but no one gives their interior build quality a bad rating, and recent models have fixed what was started by the last generation S-Class. Whats more, you are still alive when you buy a C63, but when you buy a Lexus, you die and go to a place I like to call “Suburbia,” where all you think about is pointless shenanigans between you and your neighbors and ruin your children’s childhood.
Courtney –
I ran into a bunch of Mercedes peeps in NY this week. All were highly impressed with the blonde pregnant lady in the AMG on the track. You’re the rock star!
Charge more? I think not. The base C300 is a justifiable $33,000 while the C63 is close to double that.