Mercedes has released the first set of pictures of the upcoming Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupé. This is the third model in the global Mercedes-AMG C63 family which also includes the sedan and wagon. The C63 Coupé will make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2015 in September this year.

The coupé will rival the BMW M4 globally. The Mercedes-AMG C63 sedan and coupé are based on the same rear-wheel-drive architecture, however the coupé gets special suspension tuning and a low centre of gravity. One key development here is the adoption of electromechanical steering in place of the hydraulic set-up used on the previous C63 Coupé. A mechanical locking differential will also be included as standard, with a faster-reacting electronically operated differential provided on the top-of-the-line S model.

Power for the new C63 Coupé comes from AMG’s M178 engine, unveiled in the latest C63 saloon.Mirroring its four-door sibling, the coupé gets the 4.0-litre petrol unit — a direct relative of the M177 engine used by the flagship GT sports car — that will be offered in two states of tune.

In standard guise, the 90deg V8, whose turbochargers are mounted high up between the cylinder banks for optimal packaging, is set to deliver 469bhp. With added boost pressure and other power-enhancing tweaks, output will rise to a rather more serious 503bhp in the initial range-topping C63 S Coupé. By comparison, the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine used by the first-generation C63 Coupé delivered 448bhp as standard. An optional Performance Package increased power to 480bhp, with peak torque remaining the same.

In the performance coupé category globally, the Lexus RC F comes closest to matching the new C63 Coupé, with its naturally aspirated 5.0-litre V8 delivering 471bhp. The BMW M4’s twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine kicks out 425bhp.

Channelling the C63 Coupé’s reserves is a revised version of AMG’s seven-speed SpeedShift automatic gearbox. It uses a wet clutch in place of the torque converter for speedier shifts via steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. As in the four-door C63, the traditional shift lever is replaced by a column-mounted stalk.

The performance can be adjusted using the four different driving modes: Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Individual. An additional Race mode is included on the S model.

The front-end styling is closely related to that of the C63 saloon. However, distinguishing features include a more heavily raked windscreen, frameless doors, unique rear side windows, shapely C-pillar treatment, a heavily angled rear window, short boot deck, horizontally set tail-lights and a substantial bumper assembly complete with integral diffuser and four trapezoidal-shaped chromed tailpipes. As with the C63 saloon, the C63 Coupé has grown in size. Despite the increase in dimensions, Mercedes-AMG sources confirm that the car is lighter than its predecessor.

With added power and lesser weight, AMG insiders say, the C63 Coupé will be capable of cracking the benchmark 0-100kph sprint in under 4 seconds and achieving a top speed of more than 300kph. 

Mercedes is also readying a drop-top version of the C63 which is likely to be unveiled next year.