503bhp Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe blasts into Frankfurt

We’ve already seen a number of teasers and videos, plus full details of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupe have been unveiled, but now the hot version of the sleeker new C-Class Coupe has made its European debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, before it lands in showrooms in March 2016.

Positioned firmly to steal some of the BMW M4’s thunder, the super-coupe takes the swooping profile of the C-Class two-door and pumps up the visual muscle. Flared wheelarches, a new front bumper with beefier air intakes, larger wheels, chunky side skirts and quad exhausts mark it out as the AMG-tuned variant, as does the tiny boot spoiler.

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The powertrain is identical to the C 63 Saloon, with a storming 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 producing 469bhp and 650Nm of torque in the ‘base’ variant, and a whopping 503bhp and 700Nm in the full-fat ‘S’ model. That means the S can fire from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds, a 0.1 second improvement on the saloon, before hitting the 155mph limiter. As usual, you can pay Merc to remove that limiter so the Coupe can haul up to 180mph.

Mercedes will want to point out the biggest change under the skin with the two-door C 63, which is a wider track than the saloon and estate. The flared arches add 64mm at the front and 66mm at the rear, allowing AMG to squeeze in chunkier 255mm-wide front and 285-mm back tyres to improve acceleration and stability.

The coupe will be available with the same AMG-specific ‘Ride Control’ electronically controlled dampers, drive select modes, limited slip-diff and dynamic engine mounts as the saloon. The coupe features a multi-link rear axle setup that Mercedes claims is ‘completely redesigned’ from the four-door, while there’s also extra body strengthening.

Much of the cabin, however, is business-as-usual in the C 63 Coupe. That means the same upmarket dash lifted wholesale from the saloon, with controls for infotainment instantly familiar. AMG badging, optional AMG Performance seats and bespoke instruments are the only real changes over the standard coupe, although the seating position is lower than the saloon.

Mercedes is yet to reveal pricing of the C 63 coupe, which will likely be detailed just prior to the March 2016 on-sale date. Expect a price jump of around £2,000 over the £60,000 starting price of the saloon, with the ‘S’ variant sitting just below £70,000.

Now see our video review of the new Mercedes-AMG C63 saloon.