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Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon C63 S AMG (A) Facelift Review
31 Jul 2019|20,919 views
Facelift (What's New)
More aggressive front end with new Panamericana grille
Larger display, new interface and digital dashboard
New nine-speed AMG Speedshift MCT gearbox
AMG Dynamics with four different settings
Ample new ways to tweak the car's dynamic character
More comfortable for daily use than before
Confession: I love the Mercedes-AMG C63 S. More than just the car, it's the concept alone that enthrals me - stupid amounts of power, ear-bleeding noise, tyre-shredding madness. It's a combination that's sure to get under anyone's skin (for better or worse). It's a gratuitously childish car for those of us who are, deep down, just an insolent kid looking for a laugh.
Now, Mercedes has updated the C63 S, so is this facelifted model still as bonkers as before?
The C63 S has always enthralled with its aggressive looks, riotous engine and sheer outrageousness
A new look
The first thing you'll notice about this car is the new Panamericana front grille, first debuted in the hardcore AMG GT-R. At the rear, there are two remodelled twin tailpipe trim elements in high-gloss chrome, a more expressive diffuser, and a diffuser board on this S model, all adding up to a more aggressive and muscular design.
The aggressive new front fascia is headlined by the Panamericana grille
The interior also features a host of improvements. The central infotainment display has grown significantly, while the dashboard has gone fully digital. There's a new steering wheel, with a rotary knob on the right (we'll get to that later) and two additional buttons on the left side.
The facelift helps bring the car up to date with the rest of its C-Class brethren, while also improving everyday quality of life for the driver and passengers too.
A renewed sharpness
Dynamically, there's a lot to love about the new car. An AMG is still (in our opinion) fundamentally defined by its engine, and this one cannot disappoint. The handcrafted 4.0-litre powerplant is world-class. It shoves out 503bhp and 700Nm of torque, capable of sending the C63 S from 0-100km/h in four seconds.
The dashboard now features a fully digital 12.3-inch display
But more importantly, it's full of character - menacing and growly at low revs, full of violent anger and rage at higher revs. Unlike an M engine, which is more a precision tool, this AMG engine is a personality all to itself.
All that urgent power is accompanied by an ungodly noise. The car is already so obnoxiously loud, but the noise ratchets up another notch when you cross 5,000rpm. It's so deeply intoxicating that you just want to hold a lower gear and let the rev-hungry V8 rush all the way to the 7,000rpm redline, fuel consumption be damned.
The AMG Performance seats offer outstanding lateral support
The new AMG Speedshift MCT 9G gearbox is also a notable improvement from before. It reacts much quicker, and has shed the downshift hesitancy that used to plague the previous one.
The engineers have also made the C63 S more dynamically capable than before (and added a ton more modes too, while they were at it). An electronically controlled rear-axle limited-slip differential and dynamic engine mounts come as standard. The steering is urgent, direct and meaty, egging you on to wring the car hard through corners.
The AMG Track Pace data logger uses various sensors to deliver key information about your driving performance
It also delivers more dynamic malleability, thanks to the ample different dynamic settings available. The aforementioned rotary knob can be used to select the various drive modes (six in total), as well as to choose from nine different traction control settings.
Now, Mercedes has updated the C63 S, so is this facelifted model still as bonkers as before?
A new look
The first thing you'll notice about this car is the new Panamericana front grille, first debuted in the hardcore AMG GT-R. At the rear, there are two remodelled twin tailpipe trim elements in high-gloss chrome, a more expressive diffuser, and a diffuser board on this S model, all adding up to a more aggressive and muscular design.
The interior also features a host of improvements. The central infotainment display has grown significantly, while the dashboard has gone fully digital. There's a new steering wheel, with a rotary knob on the right (we'll get to that later) and two additional buttons on the left side.
The facelift helps bring the car up to date with the rest of its C-Class brethren, while also improving everyday quality of life for the driver and passengers too.
A renewed sharpness
Dynamically, there's a lot to love about the new car. An AMG is still (in our opinion) fundamentally defined by its engine, and this one cannot disappoint. The handcrafted 4.0-litre powerplant is world-class. It shoves out 503bhp and 700Nm of torque, capable of sending the C63 S from 0-100km/h in four seconds.
But more importantly, it's full of character - menacing and growly at low revs, full of violent anger and rage at higher revs. Unlike an M engine, which is more a precision tool, this AMG engine is a personality all to itself.
All that urgent power is accompanied by an ungodly noise. The car is already so obnoxiously loud, but the noise ratchets up another notch when you cross 5,000rpm. It's so deeply intoxicating that you just want to hold a lower gear and let the rev-hungry V8 rush all the way to the 7,000rpm redline, fuel consumption be damned.
The new AMG Speedshift MCT 9G gearbox is also a notable improvement from before. It reacts much quicker, and has shed the downshift hesitancy that used to plague the previous one.
The engineers have also made the C63 S more dynamically capable than before (and added a ton more modes too, while they were at it). An electronically controlled rear-axle limited-slip differential and dynamic engine mounts come as standard. The steering is urgent, direct and meaty, egging you on to wring the car hard through corners.
It also delivers more dynamic malleability, thanks to the ample different dynamic settings available. The aforementioned rotary knob can be used to select the various drive modes (six in total), as well as to choose from nine different traction control settings.
Also new to the C63 S is AMG Dynamics - a four-stage system that controls relevant parameters including engine response, the rear diff, torque vectoring and the stability control. 'Basic' is somewhat benign, 'Advanced' a little livelier, 'Pro' for ample agility, and 'Master' is for, well, fools.
Too many options? Probably.
The rotary knob on the steering wheel can be used to adjust the nine-stage traction control
The car is also more civilised than before, when you do decide to switch off loud mode (rarely, in our case). It's more usable daily, with the suspension offering a tad more suppleness than before.
And of course, switch all the nannies off and it's still a tyre-shredding maniac. Take any corner at 40% throttle and you best be ready to throw on some opposite lock. There is a reason this particular setting is called 'Master' - you better know what the hell you are doing, because no one's going to save you.
The beating heart of this C63 S is a monstrous and delightful 4.0-litre V8 engine pumping out 503bhp and 700Nm of torque
Good news, bad news
So, it's all good news then? Well, objectively, yes. The car has been improved in many ways. It's got more creature comforts and technology, it's more refined to drive, and is more dynamically capable than before.
That said, the car is still hilariously and ridiculously good fun. It's louder, faster and slide-ier than anyone really needs a car to be, but that's AMG in a nutshell, no?
But, and it's a big but, I am struggling to love this new C63. It does so many things better, but there's one aspect that's been slightly tempered - it's sheer outrageous stupidity.
The 'Master' AMG Dynamic setting delivers maximum slipperiness
See, the old car was nigh undriveable. It was out to kill you every time you hit the ignition button. It made you swear profusely, scream loudly, breathe so hard your lungs might collapse. It was fundamentally ridiculous and childish.
The new car… doesn't quite do that to you. Yes, it's a thoroughly capable high performance sedan, more capable than before in fact, but to do that it has sacrificed some of its savage recklessness.
Getting sideways in the C63 S is all too easy
And with the C63, that just doesn't seem right. The simple thought that it could sort of even begin to be a sensible car, doesn't sit well with me. It's a bit grown up, this car, and I want my C63 to appeal to the insolent child who refuses to grow up.
And for that reason alone, I don't love this car quite the same. Mercedes has objectively made the car better, but I can't help but feel like that's made it worse.
With notable improvements across the board, the C63 S is a more grown up car now
That's my tempered love affair with this car. Pity, because it's a bloody fantastic car.
Too many options? Probably.
The car is also more civilised than before, when you do decide to switch off loud mode (rarely, in our case). It's more usable daily, with the suspension offering a tad more suppleness than before.
And of course, switch all the nannies off and it's still a tyre-shredding maniac. Take any corner at 40% throttle and you best be ready to throw on some opposite lock. There is a reason this particular setting is called 'Master' - you better know what the hell you are doing, because no one's going to save you.
Good news, bad news
So, it's all good news then? Well, objectively, yes. The car has been improved in many ways. It's got more creature comforts and technology, it's more refined to drive, and is more dynamically capable than before.
That said, the car is still hilariously and ridiculously good fun. It's louder, faster and slide-ier than anyone really needs a car to be, but that's AMG in a nutshell, no?
But, and it's a big but, I am struggling to love this new C63. It does so many things better, but there's one aspect that's been slightly tempered - it's sheer outrageous stupidity.
See, the old car was nigh undriveable. It was out to kill you every time you hit the ignition button. It made you swear profusely, scream loudly, breathe so hard your lungs might collapse. It was fundamentally ridiculous and childish.
The new car… doesn't quite do that to you. Yes, it's a thoroughly capable high performance sedan, more capable than before in fact, but to do that it has sacrificed some of its savage recklessness.
And with the C63, that just doesn't seem right. The simple thought that it could sort of even begin to be a sensible car, doesn't sit well with me. It's a bit grown up, this car, and I want my C63 to appeal to the insolent child who refuses to grow up.
And for that reason alone, I don't love this car quite the same. Mercedes has objectively made the car better, but I can't help but feel like that's made it worse.
That's my tempered love affair with this car. Pity, because it's a bloody fantastic car.
Facelift (What's New)
More aggressive front end with new Panamericana grille
Larger display, new interface and digital dashboard
New nine-speed AMG Speedshift MCT gearbox
AMG Dynamics with four different settings
Ample new ways to tweak the car's dynamic character
More comfortable for daily use than before
Confession: I love the Mercedes-AMG C63 S. More than just the car, it's the concept alone that enthrals me - stupid amounts of power, ear-bleeding noise, tyre-shredding madness. It's a combination that's sure to get under anyone's skin (for better or worse). It's a gratuitously childish car for those of us who are, deep down, just an insolent kid looking for a laugh.
Now, Mercedes has updated the C63 S, so is this facelifted model still as bonkers as before?
The C63 S has always enthralled with its aggressive looks, riotous engine and sheer outrageousness
A new look
The first thing you'll notice about this car is the new Panamericana front grille, first debuted in the hardcore AMG GT-R. At the rear, there are two remodelled twin tailpipe trim elements in high-gloss chrome, a more expressive diffuser, and a diffuser board on this S model, all adding up to a more aggressive and muscular design.
The aggressive new front fascia is headlined by the Panamericana grilleThe interior also features a host of improvements. The central infotainment display has grown significantly, while the dashboard has gone fully digital. There's a new steering wheel, with a rotary knob on the right (we'll get to that later) and two additional buttons on the left side.
The facelift helps bring the car up to date with the rest of its C-Class brethren, while also improving everyday quality of life for the driver and passengers too.
A renewed sharpness
Dynamically, there's a lot to love about the new car. An AMG is still (in our opinion) fundamentally defined by its engine, and this one cannot disappoint. The handcrafted 4.0-litre powerplant is world-class. It shoves out 503bhp and 700Nm of torque, capable of sending the C63 S from 0-100km/h in four seconds.
The dashboard now features a fully digital 12.3-inch displayBut more importantly, it's full of character - menacing and growly at low revs, full of violent anger and rage at higher revs. Unlike an M engine, which is more a precision tool, this AMG engine is a personality all to itself.
All that urgent power is accompanied by an ungodly noise. The car is already so obnoxiously loud, but the noise ratchets up another notch when you cross 5,000rpm. It's so deeply intoxicating that you just want to hold a lower gear and let the rev-hungry V8 rush all the way to the 7,000rpm redline, fuel consumption be damned.
The AMG Performance seats offer outstanding lateral supportThe new AMG Speedshift MCT 9G gearbox is also a notable improvement from before. It reacts much quicker, and has shed the downshift hesitancy that used to plague the previous one.
The engineers have also made the C63 S more dynamically capable than before (and added a ton more modes too, while they were at it). An electronically controlled rear-axle limited-slip differential and dynamic engine mounts come as standard. The steering is urgent, direct and meaty, egging you on to wring the car hard through corners.
The AMG Track Pace data logger uses various sensors to deliver key information about your driving performanceIt also delivers more dynamic malleability, thanks to the ample different dynamic settings available. The aforementioned rotary knob can be used to select the various drive modes (six in total), as well as to choose from nine different traction control settings.
Now, Mercedes has updated the C63 S, so is this facelifted model still as bonkers as before?
A new look
The first thing you'll notice about this car is the new Panamericana front grille, first debuted in the hardcore AMG GT-R. At the rear, there are two remodelled twin tailpipe trim elements in high-gloss chrome, a more expressive diffuser, and a diffuser board on this S model, all adding up to a more aggressive and muscular design.
The facelift helps bring the car up to date with the rest of its C-Class brethren, while also improving everyday quality of life for the driver and passengers too.
A renewed sharpness
Dynamically, there's a lot to love about the new car. An AMG is still (in our opinion) fundamentally defined by its engine, and this one cannot disappoint. The handcrafted 4.0-litre powerplant is world-class. It shoves out 503bhp and 700Nm of torque, capable of sending the C63 S from 0-100km/h in four seconds.
All that urgent power is accompanied by an ungodly noise. The car is already so obnoxiously loud, but the noise ratchets up another notch when you cross 5,000rpm. It's so deeply intoxicating that you just want to hold a lower gear and let the rev-hungry V8 rush all the way to the 7,000rpm redline, fuel consumption be damned.
The engineers have also made the C63 S more dynamically capable than before (and added a ton more modes too, while they were at it). An electronically controlled rear-axle limited-slip differential and dynamic engine mounts come as standard. The steering is urgent, direct and meaty, egging you on to wring the car hard through corners.
Also new to the C63 S is AMG Dynamics - a four-stage system that controls relevant parameters including engine response, the rear diff, torque vectoring and the stability control. 'Basic' is somewhat benign, 'Advanced' a little livelier, 'Pro' for ample agility, and 'Master' is for, well, fools.
Too many options? Probably.
The rotary knob on the steering wheel can be used to adjust the nine-stage traction controlThe car is also more civilised than before, when you do decide to switch off loud mode (rarely, in our case). It's more usable daily, with the suspension offering a tad more suppleness than before.
And of course, switch all the nannies off and it's still a tyre-shredding maniac. Take any corner at 40% throttle and you best be ready to throw on some opposite lock. There is a reason this particular setting is called 'Master' - you better know what the hell you are doing, because no one's going to save you.
The beating heart of this C63 S is a monstrous and delightful 4.0-litre V8 engine pumping out 503bhp and 700Nm of torque
Good news, bad news
So, it's all good news then? Well, objectively, yes. The car has been improved in many ways. It's got more creature comforts and technology, it's more refined to drive, and is more dynamically capable than before.
That said, the car is still hilariously and ridiculously good fun. It's louder, faster and slide-ier than anyone really needs a car to be, but that's AMG in a nutshell, no?
But, and it's a big but, I am struggling to love this new C63. It does so many things better, but there's one aspect that's been slightly tempered - it's sheer outrageous stupidity.
The 'Master' AMG Dynamic setting delivers maximum slipperinessSee, the old car was nigh undriveable. It was out to kill you every time you hit the ignition button. It made you swear profusely, scream loudly, breathe so hard your lungs might collapse. It was fundamentally ridiculous and childish.
The new car… doesn't quite do that to you. Yes, it's a thoroughly capable high performance sedan, more capable than before in fact, but to do that it has sacrificed some of its savage recklessness.
Getting sideways in the C63 S is all too easyAnd with the C63, that just doesn't seem right. The simple thought that it could sort of even begin to be a sensible car, doesn't sit well with me. It's a bit grown up, this car, and I want my C63 to appeal to the insolent child who refuses to grow up.
And for that reason alone, I don't love this car quite the same. Mercedes has objectively made the car better, but I can't help but feel like that's made it worse.
With notable improvements across the board, the C63 S is a more grown up car nowThat's my tempered love affair with this car. Pity, because it's a bloody fantastic car.
Too many options? Probably.
And of course, switch all the nannies off and it's still a tyre-shredding maniac. Take any corner at 40% throttle and you best be ready to throw on some opposite lock. There is a reason this particular setting is called 'Master' - you better know what the hell you are doing, because no one's going to save you.
Good news, bad news
So, it's all good news then? Well, objectively, yes. The car has been improved in many ways. It's got more creature comforts and technology, it's more refined to drive, and is more dynamically capable than before.
That said, the car is still hilariously and ridiculously good fun. It's louder, faster and slide-ier than anyone really needs a car to be, but that's AMG in a nutshell, no?
But, and it's a big but, I am struggling to love this new C63. It does so many things better, but there's one aspect that's been slightly tempered - it's sheer outrageous stupidity.
The new car… doesn't quite do that to you. Yes, it's a thoroughly capable high performance sedan, more capable than before in fact, but to do that it has sacrificed some of its savage recklessness.
And for that reason alone, I don't love this car quite the same. Mercedes has objectively made the car better, but I can't help but feel like that's made it worse.
Photos by Desmond Chan and Low Fai Ming
Also read our comparison article on:
Jaguar XE vs Lexus IS vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Car Information
Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon C63 S AMG (A)
CAT B|Petrol|9.9km/L
Horsepower
375kW (503 bhp)
Torque
700 Nm
Acceleration
4sec (0-100km /hr)
This model is no longer being sold by local distributor
All Used Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saloon
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