"It handles like a 500-horsepower Miata." Not only
did I say this out loud a few times, but several of my colleagues uttered the
same thing after lapping Laguna Seca. And if they didn't say it, they agreed
with the sentiment. Of course we're all completely wrong. The 2013 Mercedes-Benz
C63 AMG Coupe Black Series handles like a 510-horsepower Mazda Miata.
And despite what Mercedes might say about the subject, around these parts
that's among the highest praise we got. Like its predecessor -- the
much-loved CLK63 AMG Black Series -- this new guy (which we'll just call Black
Coupe for brevity's sake) is a hopped-up, raced-out version of a
"lesser" AMG product. In this case, we're talking about a car we're
already smitten with, the C63 AMG. And by smitten I mean I know four people on
staff (not counting myself) who have expressed some form of "I'd own
one." But why on earth would you leave well enough alone? That's not how
AMG's Black Division sees the world. So, they modded the C63.
One of the major differences between the normal C63 and Black Coupe is more power, always a good thing. In this case, you get 510 horsepower (up from 451 in the regular flavor
C63,
and 481 with the P31 Development Package option). The torque flow also
increases, from 443 to 457 lb-ft. Like the P31 pack, this version of Benz's
awesome (and sadly soon leaving, because of its high emissions) M156 6.2-liter
V-8 uses high dollar internals from the range-topping SLS AMG. Expect the Black
Coupe to hit 60 mph in a little less 4 seconds and go low 12s in the quarter.
One of the major differences between the normal C63 and Black Coupe is more power, always a good thing. In this case, you get 510 horsepower (up from 451 in the regular flavor
C63,
and 481 with the P31 Development Package option). The torque flow also
increases, from 443 to 457 lb-ft. Like the P31 pack, this version of Benz's
awesome (and sadly soon leaving, because of its high emissions) M156 6.2-liter
V-8 uses high dollar internals from the range-topping SLS AMG. Expect the Black
Coupe to hit 60 mph in a little less 4 seconds and go low 12s in the quarter. 
Other performance-minded standard pieces include
adjustable coil-over shocks and composite brakes. AMG widened the car quite a
bit, actually swapping in the rear half shafts from the E63 AMG. Somewhat
curiously, if not silently, Mercedes opted to use the same basic axles for its
C-, E-, and S-Class cars. This always struck me as overkill, because the
C-Class would pay a weight penalty. However, it allows Mercedes to easily swap
high-dollar components, like we see here on the Black Coupe. Anyhow, more
power, better suspension, and a wider stance comprise the basic differences. There
remain many additional options. For instance, for zero dollars you could re-add
the rear seat. Please don't, because you don't need another 70 pounds. The
other options cost money. The AMG Track Package offers sticky, 80-treadware,
R-compound tires as well as a transmission cooler. So you're aware, the Black
Coupes we pushed around Laguna Seca were eating tires at an alarming rate.
Every time I turned around, one of the four cars was heading off to a lift for
new rubber. Sure, we were on a racetrack, but these tires were barely making it
20 laps. That's nearly two tons of weight for you. Luckily, they are optional.
Sticking with the options, there's also the aerodynamics package that features a splitter; flics (those little winglets on the sides of the nose); and an adjustable, trunk-mounted big wing -- all made from carbon fiber.
AMG assured us that not only are they all functional, but you can't remove the
wing and keep the other pieces because the airflow from the flics will upset
the car without the downforce. If you go Black (Series), we'd recommend getting
all the pieces. Because why on earth not? Also, the car looks mean dressed in
full race gear, especially in that new creamy golden yellow. I'd be remiss
in my duties if I didn't mention the clunkily named AMG Performance Media
Suite. Huh? Well, without getting too geeky, it's essentially a GPS-enabled lap
timer. Using all them satellites orbiting overhead, the car realizes,
"Hey! We're on a racetrack!" and shows a little digital map on the
screen. It then times you as you race around said track, displaying not only
your best lap, but also your best lap sections. But that's not all -- you can
then download your laps onto a USB stick and upload them onto a computer or
even onto your friend's Black Coupe. How cool is that? How much cabbage
are you going to need to cough up in order to own an example of the third AMG
Black Series model? Probably less than the $134,000 price tag for the original
CLK Black. At one point we heard under $100,000, but the actual number is
probably closer to $125,000. Get your deposit in now: AMG is bringing only 90
examples to the U.S., meaning that this very special car will be that much more
precious. And be on the lookout for dealers charging huge premiums.
Back to the Miata comparo. The Black Coupe is one of the most neutral-handling cars I've ever driven. Both are purpose-built sports cars.
Turn-in on the Black Coupe is phenomenal, instant and direct, and the kind of
heavily weighted but accurate steering you want, especially on the track. The
2.2 turns to lock don't hurt its case. The engine's power gets to the wheels
via the seven-speed AMG wet-clutch transmission and hits the ground running, as
grip is excellent. Also, the engine is very easy to modulate.
Sticking with the options, there's also the aerodynamics package that features a splitter; flics (those little winglets on the sides of the nose); and an adjustable, trunk-mounted big wing -- all made from carbon fiber
.
AMG assured us that not only are they all functional, but you can't remove the
wing and keep the other pieces because the airflow from the flics will upset
the car without the downforce. If you go Black (Series), we'd recommend getting
all the pieces. Because why on earth not? Also, the car looks mean dressed in
full race gear, especially in that new creamy golden yellow. I'd be remiss
in my duties if I didn't mention the clunkily named AMG Performance Media
Suite. Huh? Well, without getting too geeky, it's essentially a GPS-enabled lap
timer. Using all them satellites orbiting overhead, the car realizes,
"Hey! We're on a racetrack!" and shows a little digital map on the
screen. It then times you as you race around said track, displaying not only
your best lap, but also your best lap sections. But that's not all -- you can
then download your laps onto a USB stick and upload them onto a computer or
even onto your friend's Black Coupe. How cool is that? How much cabbage
are you going to need to cough up in order to own an example of the third AMG
Black Series model? Probably less than the $134,000 price tag for the original
CLK Black. At one point we heard under $100,000, but the actual number is
probably closer to $125,000. Get your deposit in now: AMG is bringing only 90
examples to the U.S., meaning that this very special car will be that much more
precious. And be on the lookout for dealers charging huge premiums.Back to the Miata comparo. The Black Coupe is one of the most neutral-handling cars I've ever driven. Both are purpose-built sports cars
.
Turn-in on the Black Coupe is phenomenal, instant and direct, and the kind of
heavily weighted but accurate steering you want, especially on the track. The
2.2 turns to lock don't hurt its case. The engine's power gets to the wheels
via the seven-speed AMG wet-clutch transmission and hits the ground running, as
grip is excellent. Also, the engine is very easy to modulate.
Long story short, the Black Coupe does exactly what
the driver asks of it. The harder you work, the harder it works. When you get
right down to it, that's really quite a Miata-like way to behave. Ask for
oversteer and you get it. Overcook her into a corner and you get understeer.
Mostly, you're hit by the feeling that the car is listening for your inputs,
reacting specifically to what you're doing, not what it's been programmed to
interpret. In my case, I'm struck again at how much racetrack schooling I need.
Still, I know enough to know how good the C63 AMG Coupe Black Series is. It's
for real. Curiously, or perhaps tellingly, Mercedes did not let us
experience its newest plaything anywhere but on the smooth surfaces of Laguna
Seca. An odd, almost over-privileged complaint, I know. But still, you'd have
to be even wealthier than most Black Series owners to only drive this
car on the track. Meaning that most potential owners rightly want to know how
the car feels and behaves on actual roads with less than perfect pavement.
You're going to have to wait a couple months to find that out from us. Luckily,
two press cars are on their way over from Germany come January, and we've
already put in a request. Now the really sad part: We must wait until June
before we can take the Black Coupe back to Laguna Seca for Best Driver's Car.
As I said to a Mercedes employee when she asked if this car has a chance at the
2012 title, "Oh, yes."
source: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1111_2013_mercedes_benz_c63_amg_coupe_black_series_first_drive/
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