Mercedes C63 AMG

What is it?

An updated Mercedes C63 AMG, that sticks faithfully to the tried-and-tested recipe of big, noisy and brilliant 6.2-litre V8 up front, slightly too-firm springs underneath and a lot of burning rubber at the back. The only significant difference is the new seven-speed ‘MCT’ automatic gearbox that we have already seen most recently in the new CLS63 AMG.

Not a dual-clutch affair, the MCT is an evolution of the 7G-Tronic ‘box but with a wet-clutch instead of a torque converter. According to Mercedes the benefits of the new transmission are faster, smoother changes and a 10 per cent improvement in fuel consumption.

What’s it like?

Perhaps the crucial observation to make at this point is that, new gearbox aside, the 451bhp C63 has retained its addictive performance, thankfully kept in check with precise steering and the necessary feedback to make the C63 a rewarding handling car as well as a slightly psychotic hot saloon.

In terms of real-world use, the gearbox is certainly a worthwhile addition to the new car. All four settings – Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and Manual – are well judged for the relevant driving style. Comfort mode blurs the shifts effectively and makes the C63 as calm as it can be given the slightly unforgiving low-speed ride.

Sport mode increases shift times by 20 per cent over comfort, and strikes a happy medium that works cohesively on the road; More so than Sport Plus, which changes up smoothly (and even more quickly) under full load but can seem to down-change too eagerly, leaving the engine wailing dramatically but unnecessarily high in the upper rev range. It would likely work very well on track but it’s a little too focused even for the most spirited road driving.

Overall this is a successful update of an already thoroughly brilliant car. The gearbox doesn’t seem to be quite so in harmony with the 6.2-litre V8 here as it is with the new 5.5-litre biturbo fitted to some other models, but it’s effective and only serves to make the C63 more flexible daily transport without diluting its abilities as an endearingly bonkers hot saloon.

Should I buy one?

Absolutely. The BMW M3 is a more pliant car, but the C63 treads closer in character to an old-school muscle car than anything else in the class without sacrificing the delicacy of response that makes it a truly adept sports saloon.

Mercedes C63 AMG

Price: £55,565; Top speed: 155mph; 0-62mph: 4.5sec; Economy: 23.5mpg; Co2: 280g/km; Kerbweight: 1730kg; Engine type: 6208cc, V8, petrol; Power: 451bhp at 6800rpm; Torque: 443lb ft at 5000rpm; Gearbox: 7spd auto