2016 Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe unveiled with biturbo V8

Sure, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe is a looker. But with its range of sensible four-cylinders and warm six-cylinders, it was only a matter of time until Mercedes-AMG took things to the next level. Today, we’ve got your first look at the 2016 Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe—a two-door version of the blistering C63 sedan that packs a four-litre biturbo V8.

Like its sedan counterpart, AMG’s new C63 coupe has big shoes to fill. The previous shape farewelled the brand’s luscious 6.2-litre naturally aspirated V8. The new era of stricter carbon and economy restrictions has shown old technologies the door, with the new motor’s bi-turbocharging and smaller capacity the order of the day.

That’s not to say things are any slower with the new two-door: they’re actually significantly faster. In Australia, we’ll only receive the AMG C63 S model, the faster of two European configurations. Each C63 coupe that touches our shores will produce 375kW of power and an impressive 700Nm of torque. That’s strong enough to rocket the C63 to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds.

That’s 0.3 seconds faster than the old C63 coupe, largely thanks to greater use of lightweight materials and 15% more torque.

The two-door C63 is also 0.1 seconds faster to 100 than the four-door, thanks to a weight advantage in the kilos range and wider tyres.

Powering the rear wheels only, the C63’s four-litre V8 channels force through a seven-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission with Race mode and paddle shifters. At the hands of an economical driver, Mercedes say it will do 8.6L/100km.

The BMW M4 is the chief rival to the Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe. The strongest point of difference between the two is now BMW’s decision to downsize to a straight six from a V8—though the M4’s outputs of 317kW and 550Nm pale in comparison to AMG’s monstrous bent eight.

Inside, swathes of alcantara and carbon fibre remind drivers and passengers alike of the sporting intentions of the latest AMG model.

Though the C63 makes its performance orientation known with wider front intakes, quad tailpipes, and wider bulges, it’s an understated aesthetic. That’s a break both from BMW’s racier offering and sits closer to Audi’s school of design employed by their RS5 coupe. In a darker colour, the C63 is sleeper-like in its ability to blend in with the rest of the C-Class range. That’s either good or bad, depending on your perspective.

An understated design doesn’t mean this isn’t a seriously sorted performance model: in fact, the coupe is even more focussed than the sedan for trackwork. There’s a wider track, thanks to 25mm wider wheel bearing contact surfaces, and the slipperier bodywork that allows the coupe to better the four-door’s acceleration numbers.

A great deal of the mechanicals are shared, including the C63 S’s electronic limited-slip differential and AMG adaptive dampers.

The Mercedes-AMG C63 Coupe will be officially revealed at the October 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, with an Australian launch and release expected in the winter of 2016.