2015 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Test Drive Score Sheet

Last year, our overall winner was the (then) brand new S-Class – simply because it took the “Best car in the world” and made it better. In terms of style, design, quality, and technology, it demonstrated that Mercedes-Benz was back to its best. The three-pointed star had lost its way a little bit over the years – especially during the Daimler-Chrysler days – but what better way to highlight the fact that it’s back to making the finest machines in the world than two back-to-back victories in our ‘Best of’ Awards.

Of course, you could say that the C 63 AMG would be an obvious winner since this mega test is conducted at a track. But you’d be wrong. Lap time only constitutes 15% of the total. And, of course, being the fastest car here it got full points in that department. But it also got maximum points for Quality, Design and Drivetrain – and very nearly for Refinement as well. You see, this is a car that looks sharp, and aggressive, and angry, but also elegant and understated. On the inside, it’s near perfect in terms of style and quality. The touches of alcantara, aluminum and carbon fibre just serve to uplift an already sensational cabin.

And did we mention that it’s fast. At 2:18.9, it’s one of the fastest machines that we’ve ever tested at the track. We first got our taste of this twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 last year when we drove the new AMG GT. And what a phenomenal motor it is. Power is simply always on tap, and the refinement levels are incredible. Plus, of course, despite being turbocharged, lag just isn’t an issue and the sound from the quad exhaust is in keeping with the signature AMG howl. Not only does this car look good and go fast, but it sounds tremendous as well. And that’s one area in which it scores massively over the BMW M3 and M4.

The previous generation C63 was a monster. It sounded great, went like a bat out of hell, but the chassis was more than a little overwhelmed by the 6.2-litre V8. In this case, fortunately, the chassis and drivetrain have reached a happy medium and are both working towards the same goal – which is to propel this machine down the road (or track) as quickly as possible. It would have been great to have had either the M3 or the M4 on hand to compare the two machines head-to-head. Unfortunately, BMW couldn’t make their M cars available. We have had both M machines at the BIC before, but it was on a much hotter day – so you can’t directly compare the lap times. Now there’s a grudge match waiting to happen! But, while we’re die-hard M-car fans at autoX, it’s the current-gen C 63 that seems to hold more appeal. It looks sharp, is engaging – it’s as precise as it is mad – and, best of all, it sounds exquisite.

In this test, it takes first place by quite a margin. Sure, comparing a C 63 S to an XC 90 to a Kwid is like comparing apples to oranges to grapefruit. But they must all compete for the same points. And, on this day, it’s the C 63 S that emerged as the clear winner!

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