Taking its cue from the world of motorsport and designed for track-driving enthusiasts, this C-Class is beefed up with an adjustable AMG coil-over sports suspension and composite fade-free brake system. Items such as AMG's track package (with sports tyres and active rear-axle transmission cooling) and an aerodynamic package (with a front splitter and adjustable carbon-fibre rear aerofoil) can also be ticked on the options list. Of course, this Black Series' 380kW, 6.2-litre V8 engine is not anything to scoff at, either…
With 620Nm of torque at its disposal, this is the most powerful C-Class of all time, gobbling up the 0 – 100km/h sprint in 4.2 seconds and boasting a top speed electronically limited to 300km/h.
Visually, the C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series takes its cue from the SLS AMG GT3 customer sports cars with its imposing arrow-shaped front section, oversized air intakes and two openings in the aluminium bonnet to aid heat exchange.
TRACK-HONED
CAN YOU HEAR IT?: The C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series' quad tailpipes emit the roar from its naturally-aspirated V8.
These wheels, said to be at least 11kg lighter than comparable rims, allow for a lower unsprung mass that also heightens the suspension and steering feedback.
The view from behind also captures race fantasies with a black diffuser, a quad-piped AMG sports exhaust and a body-coloured bootlid spoiler to reduce lift on the rear axle.
The torque-happy M156 naturally aspirated engine has been bolstered for its application in the two-door with its lightweight forged pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft all proven on track in the SLS AMG.
The V8 is mated to AMG’s Speedshift MCT seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with four modes, a double-declutching function and Race Start launch control. In the Sport Plus and Manual transmission modes, gear changes can be performed in a lightning 100 milliseconds.
AMG’s sports suspension with its coil-over arrangement and modified torsion-beam stabilisers offers different settings for the driver to set the car up to his personal preference. The standard rear axle differential ensures top traction in a race-track environment with locking for both acceleration and deceleration, while the three-stage ESP system takes care of the rest. It can be set to Sport Handling Mode or turned off entirely.
STYLISH ASSASSIN
BARE NECESSITIES: AMG bucket seats and a missing rear bench help to keep the Black's weight down.
Of course, the AMG experience will not be complete without the appropriate interior embellishments, including two bucket seats, a performance steering wheel with aluminium shift paddles, and contrasting red seatbelts, stitching, armrests and door panels. The C 63 AMG Coupe Black Series’ rear seats have been omitted as a weight-saving exercise, although the car can be ordered as a four-seater.
The European market launch will take place in January 2012 and first cars are expected to arrive in South Africa by March 2012.