Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
Following the unveiling of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, we all knew it wouldn't be long before AMG would have their turn at the new baby Benz. Sure enough, spy photos have begun hitting the internet, showing the next C63 AMG undergoing testing at the fabled Nurburgring.
Set to face off against the likes of BMW's upcoming (albeit manual and two-door) M3 and Audi's all-wheel-drive RS4, the C63 is anticipated to shoehorn in AMG's prolific 6.3-liter V8, though detuned to somewhere in the neighborhood of a magical 420 horsepower.
Major aftermarket tuners like Brabus, Kicherer and Lorinser have already revealed their modifications for the new C-Class, but only AMG will be able to provide the dealer-direct, factory-backed final product that you're likely to see ripping up your local streets. Expect the C63 AMG to make its debut at the Frankfurt show in September.
[Source: World Can Fans]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tony 4:19PM (4/16/2007)
Why is daimlerchrysler detuning the AMG63 from its high of 525hp in CLand S class to 420 in this? At that level should people not buy a Charger R/T with 6.1 Hemi and 425hp? The Charger would be exaclty 50% the price.
I dont know, but i hate reverse engineering. Ford is famous for it. The had a 240hp V6 in Jaguar S-type, then they said oh no Lincoln cant have 240hp so they detuned it to 221hp for LS.
Then they made a 300hp 310 torque 4.6 3V for mustang. They then put it in the explorer, and on purpose so the mustang looks good, they changed the header to clogg it a bit and produce 293hp and 300 torque instead.
They also detuned every mazda 3 engine for the focus. 2.0 has 148 in mazda and 141 in focus. 2.3 had 160 in mazda and 153 in focus.
Same for the 5.4 engine in other applications and the 6.8 engine and the duratec and on and on.
They always put a spin on it like "we are trying to have more torque" but its absolute BS.
Anyways, back to the C63. Serioulsy a reverse engineered engine will not cut it. Why wont they take the 5.5 engine in the E550 and S550 and SL500 that makes 381hp and tune it up to 400hp and throw that in? That would be upgrading not downgrading.
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bmw122487 4:20PM (4/16/2007)
I like it alot, looks like a smaller S-class amg. My only complaint is that amg has a habit of only offering automatic transmisions and i want a proper manual, BMW gets it omiting the M6 and weak attempt at a manual M5 with permanent traction control.
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joe40 4:23PM (4/16/2007)
I agree with number 1
The 5.5 engine is all new and makes 382hp
A bit of tuning could give you 400hp. Then handbuild it and throw it in.
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Dave 4:27PM (4/16/2007)
Ford is a piece of crap and has always been. Even the F150 is crap. Get a Silverado or even the Tundra, but dont buy a 202hp F-150 V6 or a 224hp 4.6 V8. What weak jokes of a truck they are.
As for this car, I like the old C43 from 1998-1999. I also like the C55 from last year. But this I dont like. It doesn't look good and the engine does not excite me.
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The Penguin 4:30PM (4/16/2007)
They probably decided to have fewer horsepower for better reliability and improved MPG.
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Lithious 4:32PM (4/16/2007)
Audi RS4 has to push the envelope of technology to get 420hp. BMW pushed the M3 to match the 420hp. Mercedes with its monster 6.3 engine could blow them right out and instead they match the 420hp figure. What gives? Is their a back room agreement?
As for Ford, I dont know why this room is talking about it but I will throw in my 3 cents:
All Fords are junk. They recently have made half decent cars such as Edge and Fusion, but they still are not world class.
As for F150 its always been a crap truck. Old people like them. They like the wobbly handling and the soft suspension and the light steering. They buy them in droves. Best seller does not mean best.
I would also buy a Silverado or a Ram over an F-150 and day.
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Jayson 4:34PM (4/16/2007)
I would buy a 1-2 year old E63 than a new C63. you get 507hp rather than 420 and you also get much more of a car and also you let someone else take the depreciation.
E63 for me.
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G 5:31PM (4/16/2007)
You make the engine 420 hp to compete with current offerings of other manufacturers. Then when those companies up the bar to say 470 or whatever you come in with 500hp. I think its smart actually.
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Monkey Business 8:25PM (4/16/2007)
I hate Ford
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Alex 5:20AM (4/22/2007)
Let's be honest theoretically it sucks that Mercedes detuned the C63 but in real life its hard to use over 400 or even 300 horsepower. Especially in a light car such as a C63.
Even the much heavier and slower S550 which "only" has 380 horsepower can be alot to handle.
I had a chance to drive the S550 admitedly a heavier and slower cars. Even when you drive the 550 hard with passengers most people will freak out when you begin testing the cars limits or using the acceleration in a lawful manner.
You can pull into traffic with cars seconds away and still easily make accelerate up to 40-50 despite what your passengers think.
These cars have so much power and grip that most people will never come close to using these cars at 80-90%.
Usually when I drive an S550 under normaly conditions I rarely go use more the throttle more than 50%. The car is so fast and powerful it can easily and very quickly exceed legal speed limits.
Also with so much power traction becomes an issue and you could easily find yourself spinnig out if you carelessly apply power. This is especially true in wet conditions.
These cars are powerful enough and most people will NEVER have the skill or nerve to even use them near their potential on public roads.
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3cubedminus3squared 10:24PM (4/16/2007)
I love Fords.
4 Fords, 2 with over 150K and all run perfectly.
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Q DuB 11:41PM (4/16/2007)
Does no one else see a 2005 Nissan Altima in the pic on the post?
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Jason 12:58PM (4/17/2007)
very old news. Can't believe Autoblog is picking up on this.
http://benzinsider.com/2006/10/details-emerge-on-2008-mercedes-c63.html
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MikeW 12:46PM (4/17/2007)
It is called 'social engineering' Tony.
Ford micromanaged the difference in power primarily through camshafts and variable induction systems. The LS V6 was 210hp/205ft-lbs, the s-type was 235hp (238ps rounded up to 240)
In 2005 the LS was rated 232hp/220ft-lbs, but it did not get the ZF 6 speed automatic (so social order was maintained)
The 4.6 3 valve V8 has different throttle assemblies in the mustang and the explorer. Also the dual exhaust helps out when the explorer/moutaineer has a single exhaust/mufller.
Ford took off the variable intake valve timing, and maybe the dual length intake manifold that the Mazda3 had.
Remember 'tune' is internal to the engine, 'application' is external to the engine.
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Eli 11:41AM (6/29/2007)
Mazda3 2.3 with PZEV does not get the full 160 hp either, it gets 151hp, same as it does in the Focus. So there goes at least a part of that theory.