2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency trades rowdy for scientific

I’m getting into a quick righthander on Circuito Ascari in southern Spain within the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency and the squawk from the tires shortly turns into a four-wheel slide. It’s a brief, controllable slide, however no slide is good for quick lap instances.

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Observe beast

There are a couple of causes for the slide. First, I got here into the nook somewhat sizzling, however that’s straightforward to do with 671 hp at my disposal. Second, the 265/45R20 entrance and 275/35R20 rear Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires make for a fantastic set of efficiency rubber, however this automotive may use a stickier tire for this clean, roughly 2.5-mile monitor. Third, and most significantly, this automotive is simply plain heavy.

The alphabet soup that’s the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency—can we simply name it the C63 E for cripe’s sake?—trades a rowdy twin-turbo V-8 for a complicated turbo-4 plug-in hybrid setup and positive factors 780 kilos within the course of. The change makes the automotive quicker in a straight line and even on a monitor, however it depends on scientific know-how as an alternative of sunshine weight and brute drive to take action.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Performance

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency

Again to that slide. Lots of know-how helps me transition from the slide to a sharply executed flip. It begins with the everyday stuff normal within the final C 63, like superior stability management with 4 ranges of adjustment starting from Primary to Grasp, and an digital limited-slip differential to apportion the ability effectively on the rear.

However then there’s the brand new stuff, and all of it’s on the rear axle. The eLSD is accompanied again there by an electrical motor that may add as much as 201 hp for electrical all-wheel drive. It sends its energy by a 2-speed transmission that shifts up at 87 mph to ship the most effective torque down low and the most effective energy at excessive pace. The motor revs to 13,500 rpm, so the transmission’s shift level is programmed to get essentially the most out of it in first gear, then permit it to spin all the best way as much as the automotive’s 174-mph high pace.

A 6.1-kwh battery, developed by AMG with data from the Components 1 program, doles out fast pictures of power to the motor and recovers it shortly. It sits above the rear motor and differential. Rear-wheel steering sits again there, too. It may flip as much as 2.5 levels reverse the fronts at 62 mph and beneath to shorten corners and 0.7 diploma with the fronts above that pace to enhance stability.

All that gear on the rear strikes the automotive’s weight round, leading to a 49:51 front-to-rear weight steadiness.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency

On the finish of every straight, I get the pace below management by stomping on the brakes. The brake pedal feels sturdy as 6-piston entrance calipers clamp down on 15.4-inch rotors, and single-piston calipers pinch 14.6-inch rear rotors. The brakes maintain up by a number of monitor periods, however they might grip more durable, and such a heavy automotive could be higher served by carbon-ceramic brakes for the monitor. Mercedes says they are going to be an possibility.

As soon as braking places the burden on the entrance tires, the automotive rotates willingly. It even begins to over-rotate after I flip too sharply. Whereas it’s straightforward to get better, this could be a great way to start a drift for the accessible Drift mode. The automotive turns in shortly by fast, weighty, and secure front-wheel steering. In the meantime, the rear-wheel steering helps shorten the tighter corners, and the eLSD places the ability down successfully within the center and out of every nook.

Again on the throttle into the following straight, extra know-how comes into play. The M139l 2.0-liter turbo-4 from the CLA 45 sedan and GLA 45 crossover SUV sits longitudinally on this automotive fairly than transversely elsewhere. It makes use of an electrical/exhaust fuel turbocharger powered by the automotive’s 400-volt electrical structure and in addition developed from F1 know-how. The electrical energy permits the turbo to spool up shortly earlier than the hand-off to exhaust gases. The engine makes 469 hp and 404 lb-ft of torque by itself.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency

The electrical motor can add as much as 201 hp to present the automotive a most of 671 hp—properly generally. The motor can all the time add 94 hp of steady energy, successfully making the C 63 a 563-hp automotive at any given time. In Consolation and Battery Maintain modes, although, the motor provides 25% of its energy, or 50 hp for a complete of 519 hp. In Sport mode, it provides 65%, or 130 hp, to convey the whole to 599 hp. In Sport+ mode and Race mode with out kick down, it provides 80%, or 160 hp, for 629 hp. In any mode, a notched kick down on the finish of the throttle pedal journey, unleashes the automotive’s full energy in 10-second intervals.

The facility is all the time on the prepared. Between the early spool of the turbo and the shot of energy from the rear motor, the C 63 is all the time able to slingshot out of corners and keep on boil to the engine’s 7,000-rpm redline. Mercedes quotes a 0-60 mph time of simply 3.3 seconds, a half second faster than the previous-generation C 63 S, which made 503 hp from a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8.

The engine’s energy flows by a 9-speed automated transmission that makes use of a moist clutch as an alternative of a torque converter. It retains selecting the best gear for the scenario on the monitor, and I quickly be taught it’s greatest to let it do the shifting. Once I change to guide shifting, I get out of types searching for the paddle shifters as a result of they aren’t very massive and so they don’t flip with the steering wheel. I shortly change again to automated mode.

The facility from the rear goes solely to the rear wheels when it’s used as an add-on, so the transmission doesn’t need to take care of the drive of the automotive’s full 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque.

Throughout this monitor session, I’m utilizing Mercedes’ Observe Tempo app, which has been programmed to incorporate Ascari, for optimum energy supply. It’s one in all about 20 tracks presently within the app, and that can improve to 70-80 tracks world wide. The app has Scorching Lap and Endurance settings to greatest decide when to make the total electrical enhance accessible and preserve it accessible. Every monitor session contains seven laps, two to get the lay of the monitor, three sizzling, and two cooldown. The additional cooldown lap helps get better power to cost the battery again up close to 100% so the motor’s full energy is out there for the following session. Operating within the Scorching Lap setting would drain the battery on these longer periods and sap energy on later laps.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency

Canyon star

Whereas the brand new C 63’s weight compromises its monitor efficiency, that each one adjustments on the street. Observe driving stresses a automotive at its limits, however anybody driving to a automotive’s limits on the street is asking for a crash, jail time, or each. It’s that final 10-15% of unchecked aggression that shifts the C 63’s weight on the monitor, however that doesn’t occur on the road.

With out the pendulum of additional weight, the C 63 feels rather more athletic. It turns sharply, leans much less, and recovers its weight higher for switchbacks. The powertrain’s prepared energy feels even stronger on the attractive mountain roads exterior Malaga, Spain, the place full-throttle bursts aren’t the norm. It’s a grand technique to tour these roads, and that’s what the C 63 has change into: extra of a grand tourer than a brilliant sport sedan.

On the mountain roads the brand new C 63 merely doesn’t drive as large because it does on the monitor, although it’s larger than a typical C-Class. It’s 3.3 inches longer than the bottom automotive, with most of that within the entrance finish, and the wheelbase grows by 0.4 inch. Wider fenders match large tires, and the entrance monitor will increase by 2.0 inches. A part of the additional measurement is because of aerodynamic components. To raised reduce by the air, the C 63 has a jet wing-design entrance fascia backed by two energetic air panels to manage cooling, facet skirts, and a big rear diffuser.

The street drive provides me an opportunity to tune into the automotive’s new sound. With out the mellifluous thrum of a V-8, the C 63 depends on some audio trickery to maintain an appropriately imply soundtrack. Mercedes provides exterior audio system to present the automotive a sound when operating in Electrical mode. These similar audio system choose up sound from the engine utilizing a stress sensor within the exhaust system. That sound is then enhanced and despatched by the cabin by way of the audio system.

If I didn’t know any higher, I’d assume I’m driving a V-8. The engine doesn’t bellow as deeply because the outdated V-8, however it’s nonetheless low and guttural and it cracks and pops on overrun. It’s louder in Sport+ and Race modes, however aside from in Electrical mode, it’s a relentless companion to remind you it is a efficiency automotive. Simply don’t take into consideration the truth that it’s principally faux and it gained’t hassle you.

The road drive additionally provides me the chance to show the dial on the correct facet of the steering wheel to take a look at driving modes aside from Race. Electrical mode makes use of the rear motor solely so long as the battery has sufficient cost and my proper foot stays restrained. It’s no enjoyable driving this manner. I usually begin the engine, and it shortly drains the battery and its eight miles of electrical vary, so I quickly change to Consolation and Sport modes. They supply greater than sufficient punch, however the shifts in Sport mode are extra to my liking to maintain the ability accessible. Observe mode’s fast shifts are too excessive for stop-and-go visitors.

One of the best mode, nonetheless, is Particular person. Apart from on a monitor or clean canyon street, I wouldn’t need the adjustable dampers in something aside from their Consolation setting. Ported over from the AMG GT Black Collection, they begin out agency and progress to downright stiff. Even of their softest mode, the rear finish juts upward over sharp bumps. Particular person lets me select Consolation for the dampers and a sportier mode for the powertrain.

I may also select from 4 ranges of brake regeneration. On this automotive, ranges 0 and 1, which offer coasting and engine braking, respectively, really feel essentially the most pure. Stage 3 supplies one-pedal driving functionality, however solely when the battery is low sufficient to just accept a cost. Because the battery cost will increase, the system usually locks me out from Stage 3.

The C 63 provides some sporty components to the C-Class’s already stunning cabin. Sport seats come normal however our take a look at automobiles have the optionally available AMG Efficiency seats with facet bolster cutouts to suit racing harnesses. They’re confining and so they’re giving somewhat like to my love handles, however they’re not too tight for wider backsides.

2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency

The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster gives seven display choices, together with Sport, Supersport, and Observe Tempo that put increasingly more efficiency data entrance and middle. The usual 11.9-inch portrait-style middle touchscreen additionally gives a number of telemetry readouts.

Pricing isn’t but accessible for the 2024 Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 S E Efficiency, which is about to go on sale late subsequent summer season. Nevertheless, Mercedes reps recommended a couple of 10% improve from the outgoing mannequin, which began close to $80,000.

The subsequent-generation C 63 future-proofs the model’s sport sedan for tightening emissions requirements, particularly in Europe, the place it’s rated at 6.9 liters/100 km versus 10.4 liters/100 km for the final mannequin, a 51% enchancment. U.S. effectivity rankings aren’t but accessible.

Evolution turns what was a rambunctious V-8-powered sport sedan right into a scientific and extra highly effective plug-in hybrid. It drinks much less gasoline, accelerates quicker, and even goes round a monitor faster, however it will get heavy and that adjustments it from a rowdy monitor automotive right into a technologically superior grand tourer within the course of.

Mercedes-Benz paid for journey, lodging, and monitor time for Motor Authority to convey you this firsthand report.