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Most potent C-Class yet storms SA

Mercedes-Benz has unleashed its 380kW C-Class Coupé Black Series on South African roads at a price that will make most humble fans' eyes tear…

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It’s packed with Merc’s 6.2-litre V8 engine, sprints to 100km/h from standstill in 4.2 seconds and hits a top speed electronically limited to 300km/h. It is also the most potent C-Class yet to come out of Affalterbach – and the two-door C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series is now in South Africa.

Tuned to make the most of track days – and inspired by the appearance of the SLS AMG GT3 customer racers – the Black Series comes with an adjustable AMG coil-over sports suspension and rear differential lock and AMG’s high-performance composite braking system.

GOING TO THE EDGE


The AMG suspension, Mercedes said, allows for many settings and even allows the driver to select his or her personal set-up while also contributing to higher grip levels and lower roll angles.

For effortless shift action, the Black Series makes use of an AMG Speedshift MCT seven-speed sports transmission with four modes, a double-declutching function and race start launch control function. What’s more – Merc says this transmission, in Sport Plus and Manual modes, changes gears in a snappy 100 milliseconds.

The C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series’ motorsport influences can also be seen in the forward-thrusting grille section, air intakes in the front apron and vents in the lightweight aluminium bonnet, while at the rear the coupé shows off its new apron with its black diffuser and rear apron, finished with the twin chromed tailpipes of the AMG sports exhaust system and a bootlid spoiler.

And while the C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series design screams “attention seeker”, there’s a touch of discretion in the AMG logo with its “Black Series” lettering.

The track width on the front and axles has been widened by 40 mm and 79 mm, respectively, which have also necessitated new wings wider by 28mm on either side at the front, and 42mm at the rear.

This Black Series rolls on 19” tyres adorned with light-alloy rims finished in a striking titanium grey paint. More importantly, in total, these forged wheels are 11kg lighter than comparable wheels, contributing this monster Merc’s lower mass. Stopping power is the work of 390x36mm (front) and 360x26mm (rear) perforated discs with red-painted six-piston calipers at the front and four-pots at the rear.

Offering a little extra help is the three-stage ESP system with “on” and “handling mode” functions although braver souls can elect to turn the system off.

GRUNTING SUPERMODEL


Being inside the cabin promises to be a pleasant experience, though, with its mostly-black finishes with red highlights, “AMG Black Series logo” on the dashboard, twin AMG bucket seats, and a sports steering wheel with flattened top and bottom sections and aluminium shift paddles.

The C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series is also available as a four-seater; but why would you want to undo the weight savings?

AMG Track (R70 000) and Aerodynamics (R80 000) packs can be specified, too. The Track package comes with sports tyres and active rear-axle transmission cooling, while the Aero pack has a specially-tuned front splitter and an adjustable carbon-fibre rear wing.   

An AMG Performance Media system (R20 000), similar to the one used in the SLS AMG, provides motorsport-like telemetry that can be viewed in the high-resolution 17.8cm colour display of the optional Comand Online multimedia system.

Standard equipment on the C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series includes five airbags, a tyre pressure warning system and cruise control with Speedtronic variable speed limiter.
AMG specific items such as door sills and sports pedals with rubber studs are also standard.  

Options include an exterior carbon-fibre package (R65 000) with front splitter, exterior mirror housings, a diffuser insert and spoiler lip; a fire extinguisher, intelligent light system and keyless start.

PRICE:
C 63 AMG Coupé Black Series  --  R1 425 000
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