Mercedes C63 AMG Edition 507 review
Mercedes C63 AMG Edition 507 special turns up the heat on supersaloon, with 500bhp
Emissions regulations are putting the squeeze on AMG’s glorious V8, but a drive in the Mercedes C63 AMG Edition 507 confirms it’ll be a sad day when the engine is consigned to the history books. The new bodykit isn’t quite so successful, and takes the edge off the C63’s subtle iron fist in velvet glove appeal. Still, an AMG car is all about the engine – and this one’s a gem.
When the new Mercedes C63 AMG arrives late in 2014, it’ll get a turbo engine for the first time. So as a final hurrah for the tuneful naturally aspirated 6.2-litre V8 in the current model, the company has created this: the Mercedes C63 AMG Edition 507.
The name is down to the power figure – 507ps, or 500bhp, which is 49bhp more than in the regular car. Also thrown in is the AMG Drivers Package, which ups the speed limiter to 174mph.
The C63 wasn’t exactly short on power in the first place, and the newly tuned engine only adds to the fireworks when you switch it into its most focused S+ mode and press the throttle to the floor.
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As you’d expect from an AMG model, the engine dominates the driving experience. Its 610Nm of torque is delivered at over 5,000rpm, and it pushes your body back into the supportive sports seats as you accelerate, with crackles and pops when you step off the throttle. The 49bhp bump in power may not sound like much, but it drops the 0-62mph time by three-tenths to 4.2 seconds.
As with the regular C63, the V8 is connected to Mercedes’ seven-speed auto, which does a decent job of taming the engine’s power around town, but delivers swift shifts with a flick of each steering paddle when you drive harder.
The steering is satisfyingly heavy, and the Alcantara-wrapped wheel feels great to hold. The brakes also inspire confidence; even though the car weighs 1,730kg, standard composite discs ensure they have plenty of power stop after stop.
And when you’ve finished driving hard, the C63 switches from sports car to mellow, comfortable cruiser. It’s very easy to drive – like all other C63s. But to ensure this one stands out, a vented bonnet has been borrowed from the C63 Black Series, plus there’s a carbon rear spoiler and DTM-style alloys. Subtle it isn’t, but drivers paying the £9,995 extra at least have something to set their 507 apart.
It’s a similar story inside, with new badges and sports seats, and while the cabin design is showing its age, the C63 and its magic engine still have more than enough power to put a smile on your face.
