Mercedes C 63 AMG images leak

These are the first pictures of the upcoming 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, the performance version of the facelifted C-Class, which will make its official show debut at the 2011 Geneva Salon in early March.

The C63 AMG will be available in both sedan and estate body styles. As seen on the other models in the AMG lineup, the C63 AMG also receives a styling makeover as well as a series mechanical and chassis tweaks.

On the outside, the C63 AMG sports the same design changes as the rest of the C-class range including the new L-shaped headlamps, adding to the mix a new aluminum hood, restyled bumpers with LED day time lights up front, a revised grille and AMG-specific alloy wheel design. The cabin is also said feature the standard model's revised dashboard spruced up with AMG-specific trim.

For the 2012 model year, the C63 AMG keeps the pre-facelift's naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine with 457HP and 61 kgm of peak torque, but gets the firm's new AMG speed-shift MCT 7-speed sports gearbox, which helps improve fuel consumption The four door model completes the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.5 seconds, while its Estate sibling in 4.6 seconds. There is also a sports package on offer which also includes a few interior tweaks, a carbon fiber trunk spoiler and red calipers that clamp onto 14.2-inch front discs.

AMG engineers have also tweaked the suspension settings promising improved handling characteristics. The revised C63 AMG is expected to go on sale globally this summer.