04 Oct 07
Those extra litres aren't the big differentiating factor between this car and its rivals, however. This large V8 is exceedingly strong yet smooth and civilised - but then so are the top-range engines from BMW and Audi. Thing is, for all their power, AMG's Mercs can often feel a little soulless. This time, however, the C63 AMG has more to offer than sheer monstrous straight-line speed.
Its fast-ratio steering rack is probably the most direct-feeling of any in its class, and its sequential-shift gearbox is particularly impressive: in fully auto mode its changes are well timed and superbly smooth, and in the DIY modes incredibly quick. Add to this fantastic growls and howls from the exhaust, the roars on the downshifts and squeals under acceleration, and it's genuinely stirring - even at legal road speeds, with the right provocation.
The downside to all this is the hard, unforgiving ride. While body roll is beautifully contained, and the C63 AMG handles with an agility that belies its 1,730kg kerb weight, it shudders and jolts over poor road surfaces at low speeds. Strangely, the 19" wheels seem to give a better ride than the standard 18-inchers, but it's a fairly uncompromising experience either way, which may not translate well to British roads and day-to-day commuting or business travel. It's only for those firmly committed to the AMG ideals.
Come back down to earth, too, with the C63's other facts and figures: fuel consumption of 21.1mpg and a 319g/km CO2 output will bring unpalatable running costs. Is a battle of horsepower oneupmanship really worth the cost - to the environment as well as the wallet? Cars like the C63 AMG are beginning to look anachronistic, if not in Germany - where every other car in the autobahn fast lane is a Mercedes, BMW or Audi - then certainly in the UK, with our congestion, ever more rigorously enforced speed limits, and increasing hostility towards ostentatious performance machines. AMG build such cars 'because we can', but perhaps this is because they live in a different world.
