The fifth-generation Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance is an interesting moral dilemma.
And it’s all because of what’s under the hood. Gone is the mighty V8, which used to rumble and roar its way into your heart.
In its place, you’ll find a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, an uprated version of what powers the feisty AMG A45.
It now claims the title of the most powerful production four-cylinder in the world. Paired with an electric motor, it has an eye-watering 671bhp and 1020Nm of torque. Those are numbers you’d expect from a supercar, not a C-Class.
Impressive, right? But, for the die-hard petrolheads, a smallish saloon weighing as much as an SUV might be a bitter pill to swallow.
Mercedes’ justification is that in a world where emissions regulations are getting tighter by the day, the hybrid route might be the only way to deliver both high-performance and long-range capabilities, at least for now.
But, in doing so, has this C63 lost the bashful, unapologetic brute charm that its AMG predecessors lavished in?
So how did we get here?
Well, AMG didn’t just slap a motor and batteries onto the C63 and call it a day. They’ve packed this car with tech, lots of it. It’s now an all-wheel-drive machine (though there’s a rear-wheel-drive drift mode for when you’re feeling playful), and it comes with all-wheel steering as standard.
Typically, that kind of tech is reserved for bigger vehicles, but AMG has brought it into this class to help offset the sensation of weight, especially in those tight, low-speed corners.
Of course, that tech itself adds more weight to the equation, so there’s a bit of irony here.
Do the ‘upgrades’ help?
There’s just so much going on that it won’t slap a grin on your face as quickly as its predecessors, but don’t mistake that for being dull. With nearly 700bhp, this machine is anything but.
It zips along with the kind of energy that makes your right foot feel like a magician. Even your bum can sense the power dynamically shifting around the wheels.
However, when you’re not pushing the car to its limits, the power delivery is… unpredictable. That motor in the differential does some clever torque vectoring, but it’s paired with a Taycan-style two-speed transmission, which isn’t smooth.
There’s this noticeable “step” when the motor disengages and re-engages, especially if you’re feathering the throttle. Sometimes you have all 671 horses. Sometimes you don’t. It feels… uncoordinated.
And what happens when you hit the brakes?
That’s where things get tricky. AMG’s thrown all sorts of clever tech at it to make it feel lighter in the corners, but under hard braking, the bulk shows up, uninvited, like a party guest who’s overstayed.
Push the car hard a few times and the brakes lose even more feel. You’ll start noticing this even during regular road driving, which is not something you expect from a car in this class.
Is it at least comfortable?
The old C63 wasn’t exactly gentle on your spine, and while the new adaptive suspension offers a broader range of settings, it’s still a bit of a mixed bag. In Comfort mode, it feels almost too soft, a bit lazy when dealing with bumps and undulating roads.
Switch to Sport, and suddenly you’re back to the stiffness of the previous generation. Over crests and bumps, the car feels heavy, like it’s struggling to keep all that mass in check.
That said, there are moments of brilliance. The 9-speed gearbox is quick and responsive, with short ratios that make Manual mode feel alive. The four-cylinder engine sharpens up as you push it, and that’s when the fun begins.
Fun means loud sounds
The engine may not have the wild roar of the A45, but it’s got this almost supercharger-like whine, thanks to the electric turbo.
Get on the throttle at low revs, and you’ll hear a unique, high-pitched whine; something you don’t often hear in a German saloon. It’s fascinating, especially if you’ve never experienced the old V8.
You might want to turn off the enhanced sound mode, though. It adds an amusing, but ultimately distracting, warble to the electric-only driving experience.
It looks good being loud too
The Mercedes-AMG C63 is no shrinking violet. It’s big, bold, and you feel that size on the road. Not that this is surprising, given how many modern cars seem to have grown in dimensions.
It commands attention with its presence, especially with those racy wheel angles tucked neatly into the arches, carrying that unmistakable AMG attitude.
The carbon-fibre fiesta carries on to the cockpit as well, but some elements do feel like the car’s trying to juggle a little too much.
Customisation to me is always a good thing in a car, allowing owners to set the car up just the way they like it. But, this C63 doesn’t just ask you to engage with all its different drive modes and settings, it practically demands it. You’ll find yourself spending the first few hours just trying to wrap your head around it all.
Eventually, though, you get used to it. The endless customisations, legible displays, and near-perfect head-up display make the tech feel worth it. If you’re feeling nostalgic, you can even revert to classic analogue dials.
What’s it like to live with?
The seats are firm at first, but give them time and they’ll cradle you nicely over long hauls. There’s something reassuringly familiar about Mercedes’ column-mounted gear selector, a nod to simplicity that rivals seem to have forgotten.
And while many of the climate controls have migrated to the touchscreen (as they seem to these days), they’ve at least kept them fixed on screen, regardless of what else you’re playing with. It makes you wonder, though—if the climate settings never move, why not just have physical buttons?
On the subject of boot space, the AMG’s engineers made the decision to plant the C63’s battery pack over the rear axle, prioritising that perfect 50:50 weight distribution. Great for balance, but not so great for luggage.
Cargo room is abysmal at 279 litres, paling in comparison to the 435 of its predecessors. Oh, and the battery pack’s step also messes with having a flat loading bay.
Moral Dilemma
Once upon a time, reviewing a Mercedes-AMG C63 was as straightforward as your first cup of coffee in the morning.
Its big, brawny V8 and playful, corner-happy demeanour were easy to love, plus it had gumption, never shieding away from showing it. Everything just felt right from the moment you sat in the driver’s seat. It didn’t need a learning curve or an instruction manual, just a heavy right foot.
The new Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance on the other hand feels less like a car and more like a rolling science project, and it doesn’t quite play the role of a sports saloon like it used to.
Some of the motorsport-inspired tech feels extra. Let’s be honest, if you’re serious about improving lap times, you’re probably getting yourself a lightweight track car, not a 2.1-tonne beast masquerading as a saloon.
Oddly enough, the more I racked up mileage in this thing, the more I started to like it. It’s like an acquired taste, slowly growing on you as you get to grips with its complex powertrain and learn how to unlock its full potential. This isn’t a car you just drive, it’s one you have to live with.
But there will always be a nagging feeling I just can’t shake. It’s a car for the tech enthusiast, not the petrolhead.
And if you’re nostalgic for the days when an AMG roared with unapologetic ferocity, this might leave you yearning for the good ol’ days.
Technical Specifications
Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance Review
Engine: 1,991cc 4-cylinder in-line, twin-turbocharged
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive (Selectable)
Power: 671 bhp (combined)
Torque: 1020 Nm
Gearbox: 9G-Tronic (A) AMG Speedshift MCT
0-100km/h: 3.4 seconds
Top Speed: 280 km/h
Fuel Economy: 14.7 km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$688,888 including COE (Pricing is accurate at the time of writing)
Contact: Cycle & Carriage Singapore
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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