2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency trades rowdy for medical

Table of Contents

I’m getting into a quick righthander on Circuito Ascari in southern Spain within the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency and the squawk from the tires temporarily turns into a four-wheel slide. It’s a brief, controllable slide, however no slide is perfect for speedy lap occasions.

Observe beast

There are a couple of causes for the slide. First, I got here into the nook a little bit scorching, however that’s simple to do with 671 hp at my disposal. 2d, the 265/45R20 entrance and 275/35R20 rear Michelin Pilot Game 4 S tires make for a wonderful set of efficiency rubber, however this automotive may just use a stickier tire for this easy, kind of 2.5-mile observe. 3rd, and most significantly, this automotive is simply simple heavy.

The alphabet soup that’s the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency—are we able to simply name it the C63 E for cripe’s sake?—trades a rowdy twin-turbo V-8 for a complicated turbo-4 plug-in hybrid setup and positive factors 780 kilos within the procedure. The exchange makes the auto quicker in a directly line or even on a observe, however it will depend on medical era as a substitute of sunshine weight and brute pressure to take action.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Performance

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency

Again to that slide. Numerous era is helping me transition from the slide to a sharply done flip. It begins with the standard stuff usual within the final C 63, like complicated steadiness regulate with 4 ranges of adjustment starting from Fundamental to Grasp, and an digital limited-slip differential to apportion the ability successfully on the rear.

However then there’s the brand new stuff, and all of it’s at the rear axle. The eLSD is accompanied again there by means of an electrical motor that may upload as much as 201 hp for electrical all-wheel pressure. It sends its energy via a 2-speed transmission that shifts up at 87 mph to ship the most productive torque down low and the most productive energy at top velocity. The motor revs to 13,500 rpm, so the transmission’s shift level is programmed to get probably the most out of it in first tools, then permit it to spin all of the manner as much as the auto’s 174-mph best velocity.

A 6.1-kwh battery, advanced by means of AMG with wisdom from the System 1 program, doles out fast photographs of power to the motor and recovers it temporarily. It sits above the rear motor and differential. Rear-wheel guidance sits again there, too. It might flip as much as 2.5 levels reverse the fronts at 62 mph and beneath to shorten corners and zero.7 stage with the fronts above that velocity to strengthen steadiness.

All that apparatus on the rear strikes the auto’s weight round, leading to a 49:51 front-to-rear weight steadiness.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency

On the finish of each and every directly, I am getting the velocity beneath regulate by means of stomping at the brakes. The brake pedal feels robust as 6-piston entrance calipers clamp down on 15.4-inch rotors, and single-piston calipers pinch 14.6-inch rear rotors. The brakes hang up via a number of observe classes, however they may grip tougher, and this sort of heavy automotive could be higher served by means of carbon-ceramic brakes for the observe. Mercedes says they’ll be an choice.

As soon as braking places the burden at the entrance tires, the auto rotates willingly. It even starts to over-rotate after I flip too sharply. Whilst it’s simple to recuperate, this is able to be a great way to start out a float for the to be had Go with the flow mode. The auto turns in temporarily via fast, weighty, and strong front-wheel guidance. In the meantime, the rear-wheel guidance is helping shorten the tighter corners, and the eLSD places the ability down successfully within the heart and out of each and every nook.

Again at the throttle into the following directly, extra era comes into play. The M139l 2.0-liter turbo-4 from the CLA 45 sedan and GLA 45 crossover SUV sits longitudinally on this automotive reasonably than transversely somewhere else. It makes use of an electrical/exhaust gasoline turbocharger powered by means of the auto’s 400-volt electric structure and likewise advanced from F1 era. The electrical energy permits the turbo to spool up temporarily sooner than the hand-off to exhaust gases. The engine makes 469 hp and 404 lb-ft of torque by itself.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency

The electrical motor can upload as much as 201 hp to provide the auto a most of 671 hp—smartly infrequently. The motor can at all times upload 94 hp of constant energy, successfully making the C 63 a 563-hp automotive at any given time. In Convenience and Battery Cling modes, despite the fact that, the motor provides 25{913245eabea901723f6f23dbc2031c63ab6fa64000e98dbba261148d532be0cc} of its energy, or 50 hp for a complete of 519 hp. In Game mode, it provides 65{913245eabea901723f6f23dbc2031c63ab6fa64000e98dbba261148d532be0cc}, or 130 hp, to convey the entire to 599 hp. In Game+ mode and Race mode with out kick down, it provides 80{913245eabea901723f6f23dbc2031c63ab6fa64000e98dbba261148d532be0cc}, or 160 hp, for 629 hp. In any mode, a notched kick down on the finish of the throttle pedal commute, unleashes the auto’s complete energy in 10-second periods.

The facility is at all times on the in a position. Between the early spool of the turbo and the shot of energy from the rear motor, the C 63 is at all times in a position to slingshot out of corners and keep on boil to the engine’s 7,000-rpm redline. Mercedes quotes a 0-60 mph time of simply 3.3 seconds, a part moment sooner than the previous-generation C 63 S, which made 503 hp from a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8.

The engine’s energy flows via a 9-speed automated transmission that makes use of a rainy grab as a substitute of a torque converter. It helps to keep selecting the proper tools for the placement at the observe, and I quickly be informed it’s very best to let it do the transferring. After I transfer to handbook transferring, I am getting out of varieties searching for the paddle shifters as a result of they aren’t very massive they usually don’t flip with the guidance wheel. I temporarily transfer again to automated mode.

The facility from the rear is going solely to the rear wheels when it’s used as an add-on, so the transmission doesn’t must take care of the pressure of the auto’s complete 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque.

All the way through this observe consultation, I’m the usage of Mercedes’ Observe Tempo app, which has been programmed to incorporate Ascari, for optimum energy supply. It’s certainly one of about 20 tracks lately within the app, and that may build up to 70-80 tracks around the globe. The app has Sizzling Lap and Staying power settings to very best decide when to make the overall electrical spice up to be had and stay it to be had. Each and every observe consultation contains seven laps, two to get the lay of the observe, 3 scorching, and two cooldown. The additional cooldown lap is helping recuperate power to fee the battery again up close to 100{913245eabea901723f6f23dbc2031c63ab6fa64000e98dbba261148d532be0cc} so the motor’s complete energy is to be had for the following consultation. Operating within the Sizzling Lap atmosphere would drain the battery on those longer classes and sap energy on later laps.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency

Canyon superstar

Whilst the brand new C 63’s weight compromises its observe efficiency, that every one adjustments at the street. Observe using stresses a automotive at its limits, however somebody using to a automotive’s limits at the street is looking for a crash, prison time, or each. It’s that final 10-15{913245eabea901723f6f23dbc2031c63ab6fa64000e98dbba261148d532be0cc} of unchecked aggression that shifts the C 63’s weight at the observe, however that doesn’t occur in the street.

With out the pendulum of additional weight, the C 63 feels a lot more athletic. It turns sharply, leans much less, and recovers its weight higher for switchbacks. The powertrain’s in a position energy feels even more potent at the gorgeous mountain roads out of doors Malaga, Spain, the place full-throttle bursts aren’t the norm. It’s a grand approach to excursion those roads, and that’s what the C 63 has change into: extra of a grand tourer than an ideal game sedan.

At the mountain roads the brand new C 63 merely doesn’t pressure as large because it does at the observe, even supposing it’s larger than a normal C-Elegance. It’s 3.3 inches longer than the bottom automotive, with maximum of that within the entrance finish, and the wheelbase grows by means of 0.4 inch. Wider fenders have compatibility large tires, and the entrance observe will increase by means of 2.0 inches. A part of the additional dimension is because of aerodynamic components. To raised minimize in the course of the air, the C 63 has a jet wing-design entrance fascia subsidized by means of two lively air panels to regulate cooling, facet skirts, and a big rear diffuser.

The street pressure offers me an opportunity to music into the auto’s new sound. With out the mellifluous thrum of a V-8, the C 63 will depend on some audio trickery to stay an correctly imply soundtrack. Mercedes provides exterior audio system to provide the auto a legitimate when operating in Electrical mode. Those identical audio system pick out up sound from the engine the usage of a power sensor within the exhaust device. That sound is then enhanced and despatched in the course of the cabin by the use of the audio device.

If I didn’t know any higher, I’d assume I’m using a V-8. The engine doesn’t bellow as deeply because the outdated V-8, however it’s nonetheless low and guttural and it cracks and pops on overrun. It’s louder in Game+ and Race modes, however instead of in Electrical mode, it’s a relentless better half to remind you it is a efficiency automotive. Simply don’t take into consideration the truth that it’s most commonly pretend and it received’t trouble you.

The road pressure additionally offers me the chance to show the dial at the proper facet of the guidance wheel to take a look at using modes instead of Race. Electrical mode makes use of the rear motor solely so long as the battery has sufficient fee and my proper foot stays restrained. It’s no a laugh using this fashion. I incessantly get started the engine, and it temporarily drains the battery and its 8 miles of electrical vary, so I quickly transfer to Convenience and Game modes. They supply greater than sufficient punch, however the shifts in Game mode are extra to my liking to stay the ability available. Observe mode’s fast shifts are too excessive for stop-and-go visitors.

The most efficient mode, then again, is Particular person. Rather than on a observe or easy canyon street, I wouldn’t need the adjustable dampers in the rest instead of their Convenience atmosphere. Ported over from the AMG GT Black Collection, they begin out company and growth to downright stiff. Even of their softest mode, the rear finish juts upward over sharp bumps. Particular person shall we me select Convenience for the dampers and a sportier mode for the powertrain.

I will be able to additionally make a choice from 4 ranges of brake regeneration. On this automotive, ranges 0 and 1, which offer coasting and engine braking, respectively, really feel probably the most herbal. Degree 3 supplies one-pedal using capacity, however simplest when the battery is low sufficient to just accept a fee. Because the battery fee will increase, the device incessantly locks me out from Degree 3.

The C 63 provides some sporty components to the C-Elegance’s already gorgeous cabin. Game seats come usual however our check vehicles have the not obligatory AMG Efficiency seats with facet bolster cutouts to suit racing harnesses. They’re confining they usually’re giving a little bit like to my love handles, however they’re no longer too tight for wider backsides.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency

The 12.3-inch virtual software cluster gives seven display choices, together with Game, Supersport, and Observe Tempo that put an increasing number of efficiency data entrance and heart. The usual 11.9-inch portrait-style heart touchscreen additionally gives a number of telemetry readouts.

Pricing isn’t but to be had for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency, which is ready to move on sale overdue subsequent summer season. On the other hand, Mercedes reps urged a few 10{913245eabea901723f6f23dbc2031c63ab6fa64000e98dbba261148d532be0cc} build up from the outgoing style, which began close to $80,000.

The following-generation C 63 future-proofs the emblem’s game sedan for tightening emissions requirements, particularly in Europe, the place it’s rated at 6.9 liters/100 km as opposed to 10.4 liters/100 km for the final style, a 51{913245eabea901723f6f23dbc2031c63ab6fa64000e98dbba261148d532be0cc} development. U.S. potency rankings aren’t but to be had.

Evolution turns what used to be a rambunctious V-8-powered game sedan right into a medical and extra tough plug-in hybrid. It beverages much less gas, speeds up quicker, or even is going round a observe sooner, however it will get heavy and that adjustments it from a rowdy observe automotive right into a technologically complicated grand tourer within the procedure.

Mercedes-Benz paid for commute, accommodation, and observe time for Motor Authority to convey you this firsthand record.