2014 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe: A Low-Key Luxury Performance Sports Coupe

Highlights:  With the all-new optional 507 package, our rear-wheel drive C63 AMG pushed out 507 horses from underneath the hood of its hand built engine. The vehicle zooms from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The C63 uses much of the same technology found in the brand’s super exclusive halo vehicle, the SLS AMG coupe.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $87,885 (base AMG $63,675)

Seating Capacity: 4 buckets!

Standard Safety Features: airbags; AMG high performance braking system; automatic headlights; ABS; an electronic stability program; an automatic dimming rearview mirror; rain sensing windshield wipers; LED daytime running lights; and a tire pressure monitoring system



Standard Equipment (base model): 18-inch AMG wheels; high performance tires; aerodynamic sport styling; a hand built engine; a dual zone automatic climate control system; AMG instrument cluster; heated seats; a power tilt/telescopic steering wheel; a power panorama sunroof; an AMG 7-speed transmission with a variety of driving modes; AMG dual chrome tailpipes; and an AMG trunk lid spoiler

Optional Features On Test Vehicle: parking assistance; limited slip differential lock; upgraded engine out 507-horsepower; gloss black exterior trim; aluminum hood with functional vents; gloss black interior trim; AMG performance braking system; 19-inch alloy wheels; two-tone Nappa leather seats; three –position memory and a power adjustable steering column; 7.0-inch color display; a 6-disc DVD/CD player; satellite radio; active blind spot assistance; a pre collision braking system; a rear view camera; and an active lane keep assist system

Suspension System: AMG’s sport suspension

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a Harmon/Kardon Logic7 surround sound system with a DVD/CD player and a satellite radio system

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard with audio streaming

iPod connectivity: Available
                                                                                                        
Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower: 6.3-liter turbo 8-cylinder/451-hp

Recommended Fuel: Premium

Standard Fuel Mileage: 13-city/19-hwy

What’s New: For the 2014 model year, Mercedes-Benz introduced an even more aggressive C63 with the optional 507 package, which pushes this luxury sports car to pump out 507 horses from its twin, dual, stainless steel tailpipes.

Pros: Some would consider the C63 to be the equivalent to the American made street hot rod version of such vehicles as Ford’s Mustang Shelby GT500 and Chevy’s Camaro SS. Conversely, the C63 offers the same thrilling experience as those street hot rods, but in a more refined German engineered package. In other words, Mercedes offers everything Americans offer, but with a more low-key design.

So, with that being the case, Mercedes-Benz has managed to up the ante for the 2014 model year in its C-Class coupe. Unlike the previous models, the AMG engineering team bumped up the output from its hand built 8-cylinder engine by 56 horsepower. Drivers can now shell out close to $10,000 for the 507 edition, which will push out 507 horses and 450-lb ft. of torque.

In addition to the extra power, the AMG design team enhanced the overall appearance of the AMG we reviewed with a $4,000 platinum matte finish paint job. The design and engineering team accentuated the paint job, adding functional protruding hood vents and 19-inch forge aluminum matte wheels. Inside the vehicle, there was that same attention to detail. The four two-tone leather buckets seats were surrounded by a high glossed carbon-fiber interior trim, giving one the feel of being in a race car. And we can’t forget that the hand-stitched AMG steering wheel was covered by suede.

Moreover, our AMG coupe was outfitted with such must-have options as an electronic blind spot system and a lane changing keep assist system. These two features surely kept us out of trouble, while cruising the highways of Atlanta over the holidays.

Cons: Its too bad that this German built high-performance coupe, with the grippe tires, when turning at extremely low speeds, lacks a manual transmission. Both of its competitors provide drivers with the ability to have a more engaging driving experience, offering the ability to manually shift gears. The vehicle does off a variety of firm suspension settings to select from. This is not street luxury street cruiser. This vehicle is designed for pure sports performance. So, if a luxury driving experience is on high on the list, this isn’t the vehicle for the faint of heart.

Moreover, with this being a high performance luxury sports coupe, one should expect to compromise fuel efficiency. According to fueleconomy.gov, the C63 achieves 13 miles to the gallon when driving in the city. Because of the dismal gas mileage, buyers will be hit with a healthy gas guzzler tax.

Also with the steeply priced performance coupe steering near $90,000, we would have expected a high performance audio system to match this high performance vehicle. Unfortunately, we were quite disappointed with the puny sound system.

Furthermore, the rear view camera only works when the audio system is in use. If the system is turned off, the camera is inoperable. The engineers definitely need to rework this system.

Lastly, the vehicle also lacked a standard keyless push button starter ignition system.

Verdict: For those with a little extra money to spend, the pricey C63 AMG Coupe with the optional 507 package is one bad mother (or father to be politically correct). Mercedes-Benz has managed to mix in style, class, technology enhancements and loads of style in a four seater coupe. Mercedes-Benz also offers the same amenities in its C Class sedan, too. And for those pinching pennies, which seems like an oxymoron if a Mercedes-Benz is on the shopping list, buyers can peel off $10,000 from the sticker, opting for the standard AMG C63, which pushes out 451 from the dual, twin exhaust pipes.

Competition: BMW M4 and Cadillac CTS-V Coupe