Mercedes-AMG C63 S coupe review (W205, 2015-2023): the final V8 C-class

Time has run out for the V8-engined Mercedes C-class. With the arrival of a new model, the CLE, to replace the C-class coupe, Mercedes will abandon its glorious twin-turbo V8 in favour of a hybrid four-cylinder powertrain for the C63 coupe's replacement: the CLE63 E Performance. It's sure to be quicker and more efficient than its iconic predecessor, but whether it'll be quite as characterful remains to be seen.

The W205 Mercedes-AMG C63 S coupe follows the traditional AMG formula; it's a two-door C-Class stuffed with AMG's wonderful 4-litre twin-turbocharged V8 that features in everything from the SL55 to the S63 E Performance. As the last of its kind, the C63's old-school formula remains as enticing as ever. With unique bodywork, a wider track and vaguely ludicrous amount of power it’s an AMG hot rod in the truest sense, only one with enough control, delicacy and ability to exploit that mighty engine.

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Engine, transmission and 0-60mph

The C63 S is the fastest version of the W205 C-Class coupe, with a 'hot-vee' twin-turbo 4-litre V8 generates 503bhp at 5500-6250rpm and 516lb ft at 1750-4500rpm. The non-S variant made do with 469bhp and 479lb ft. 

That power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a clever 7-speed MCT gearbox (essentially an automatic ‘box with the torque converter replaced by a wet clutch system) and an electronically controlled limited slip differential. With launch control enabled Mercedes claims it’ll hit 62mph in 3.9sec, and if you spec the ‘Driver’s package’ the top speed is limited to 180mph instead of the usual 155mph.

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Technical highlights

To ensure the engine doesn’t just dissolve the rear tyres and twist the C63's body like a Coke can, AMG applied fundamental engineering changes to the base car. The stuff you can see is the spectacularly muscular bodywork that stretches over wider tracks front and rear (73mm and 46mm respectively). Underneath there’s a heavily reinforced four-link suspension set-up and the multi-link rear axle is unique to the coupe (it’s 50mm wider than even the W205 C63 saloon). It features a new axle carrier, strengthened wheel carriers, stiffer elastokinematics and offers more negative camber as well as much greater rigidity. Damping is adjustable with Comfort, Sport and Sport+ settings.  

This level of detail continues through the braking system (featuring 390mm front discs), the standard dynamic engine mounts and the electronically controlled LSD. Even so the relatively modest 255-section front and 285/30 R19 tyres are definitely in for a serious workout with all that power and torque with which to contend. 

The gearbox, like the chassis, offers Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes. To make matters simpler the chassis, drivetrain, ESP and switchable sports exhaust can be controlled separately but also come in pre-set programmes – Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Race. You can also create an Individual mode, allowing you to have softer dampers but the most aggressive engine mapping and ESP set to ‘Sport Handling’ mode, for example.

These modes are also controllable via steering wheel-mounted switches, which do make accessing the driver options instant, even if they add yet more controls to the already packed AMG wheel.  

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What’s it like to drive?

For the most part it’s as spectacular as it looks and sounds. And boy does it sound good. That 4-litre V8 is an absolute monster of an engine and it really is the heart and soul of the car and the experience. It makes you feel good as soon as it explodes into life and whether enjoying the near-instant mid-range thump or holding out for the wild top-end delivery it’s full of character and just incredibly exciting. For sense of occasion it makes the straight-six of the M4 seem utterly joyless.

You might suspect that the gearbox won't live up to the promise of the engine but the MCT is a fine companion, delivering clean, precise upshifts and responsive downshifts. It’s a fraction slower than a Porsche PDK 'box, but it’s close enough that it doesn’t matter 99 per cent of the time. The drivetrain is very hard to pick holes in.

The chassis has to support 1725kg and deploy 503bhp, which is no easy task. However, the C63 S coupe manages to feel fluid and progressive, if not as indomitable as a newer BMW M4 xDrive. The ride is absolutely fine; in fact in Comfort mode the body control feels a bit too lazy, and we prefer Sport or Sport+ even on quite narrow, craggy roads. So configured, the C63 S feels lighter than the actual figures and also very well controlled.

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More importantly it’s also a multi-faceted car. Drive it at a relaxed pace but deliberately provoke the chassis and it’s heroically adjustable on the throttle. Up your commitment levels and the C63 S finds composure and so long as you don’t shock the rear tyres with greedy stabs of power it’s hooked-up, well-balanced and finds a way to use all that power and torque pretty effectively. The more relaxed ESP setting is a real help here, subtly trimming away your excesses but allowing the car to still drive out of turns hard and poised on the cusp of oversteer. The thrill of getting the car to this point, that illicit soundtrack and the sheer acceleration of the thing makes for a pretty intoxicating combination.

The weak point dynamically is the steering. It’s very light initially and has zero feel for the first 30-degrees or so. It’s very disconcerting at first and you never truly get used to the way it feels vague and then suddenly weights up with more lock. The W204 C63 had lovely steering, so it’s a shame to find this system feels so much less natural.

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Price and rivals

With the W205 C63 no longer on sale in any form, your only route to owning one is through the used market, or if you're lucky, an unregistered example on a dealer forecourt. Towards the end of its life, the C63 S coupe was exclusively available in Night Edition guise, so nearly-new examples will be specified as such. The Night Edition came as standard with a huge kit list that included a carbonfibre interior pack, AMG’s excellent bucket seats, a panoramic roof, high-spec hifi, Multibeam LED headlights – we could go on. The only thing missing is the optional carbon ceramic brake package, but the steels do have better feel, if not ultimate resistance to fade on a track. 

Given that the W205 is the last series-production V8-engined C-class coupe, it's likely to remain a sought-after model into the future as somewhat of a cult classic. It certainly has the charisma and ability to deserve this status.