Mercedes reveal C63 AMG facelift

Mercedes-Benz has revealed a facelifted version of the four-year-old C63 AMG at the Geneva motor show.

The new saloon receives a host of detailed styling changes – both to the exterior and interior, together with some key mechanical modifications that are claimed to extend their respective performance while bringing about a reduction in consumption.

Visual changes, as with other C-class models, are mild. They extend to an edgier looking front bumper, restyled grille, new headlamps with altered internal graphics, a rear bumper that incorporates a black diffuser element and new multi-spoke alloys.

Also included on the new car is a new aluminium bonnet with more prominent power domes than those on the car it replaces. Earlier photographs of the facelifted C63 AMG leaked to the Internet showed a test mule sporting a standard C-class bonnet. Inside, there’s a newly designed dashboard together with the same three spoke steering wheel as the new CLS63 AMG.

While other recently new AMG models have adopted the company’s latest twin-turbocharged 5.5-litre V8, the facelifted C63 AMG retains the older naturally-aspirated 6.2-litre V8. It continues to kick out 457bhp in standard guise or a gutsier 487bhp with AMG’s optional Performance Package.

But while the old C63 AMG used a beefed up version of Mercedes-Benz’s 7-GTronic seven speed automatic gearbox to channel these reserves to the rear wheels, the new model receives AMG’s own in-house developed MCT (multi-clutch transmission).

It does away with the torque converter for a series of wet clutches to provide the driver with four distinct modes C (comfort), S (sport), S+ (sport plus) and M (manual). It also includes a launch control system called Race Start.

AMG quotes a 0-100kph time of 4.4sec for the saloon – a reduction of 0.1sec respectively. Top speed in both instances is limited to 240kph.

The C63 AMG’s combined cycle fuel consumption is also claimed to have benefited from the adoption of a new steering pump that reduces the amount of hydraulic assistance.