German engineering is a world leader but, says Michael McAleer, Motoring Editor, with the Mercedes C63 AMG they've absolutely excelled themselves
IT MUST give the Germans a good chuckle to see Citroën's ad campaign for the new C5, openly indicating that German engineering is its benchmark. For their neighbours in France to do such a thing must have them slamming their beer steins. Yet, in many ways it's just a recognition of reality.
National pride aside, the Germans do have an impressive record in automotive engineering. Aside from the big brands that everyone knows, it seems like every little hamlet has a shed full of Formula One race engineers. Oa recent visit to a sleepy suburb of Munich, we came upon at least two family operations who convert already powerful Porsches and BMWs into racing titans.
It's no surprise, then, that the likes of Mercedes had several options when they decided to create a high performance arm for their business. It could have done it in-house of course, but why compete with fellow engineers only too willing to co-operate. So it was back in the 1990s that Mercedes opted to subsume the privately operated race engineers at AMG into their firm. Even then the abbreviated brand was well known amongst car fans. It had all the street cred of BMW's legendary M Division.
What AMG has done for Mercedes is remarkable. For a firm more reputed in current generations as the badge of choice for fat builders and ego-driven politicians, these under-bonnet experts have reinstated some real pedigree to the brand.
Regular readers will know that all of us at Motors have a soft spot for what are colloquially known as "stealth cars". These are the sort of cars where you can sit the children in the back and then launch them into outer space.
These cars ask you to make no compromise in daily life that you wouldn't make driving a regular family saloon. Take this glorious C63 AMG. There's a big boot, larger than rivals at BMW or Lexus. There's plenty of legroom in the back, certainly enough for two adults to sit in comfort.
There's the usual array of cubbyholes and cupholders, the stereo and satnav is standard C-Class fare - well, high-specification fare in any event - and though the front seats are AMG-styled with very snug side bolsters that means you wear the seats rather than sit in them, every element is electronically adjustable. When discussing this car, it's hard to avoid wandering into the rosy garden of praiseworthy motoring metaphors and flowery adjectives. This car is that good, and to find fault is necessarily to nit-pick or miss the point.
Yes, a 6.3-litre V8 petrol engine is probably too big for most of us and certainly too thirsty in these chastened financial times. Yes, we did pay a lot more attention to the nearby petrol stations during our drives. And yes, in a country where the top speed limit is 120km/h, the C63 AMG is barely getting into its stride than you are pulling back at the reigns.
In reality, all of those points relate to all stealth cars. Taking for granted that you have the financial wherewithal to withstand the fluctuating future market in oil that's causing fuel prices to spike, and the imminent tax changes that will push the price of this powerhouse up by several thousand euro, then what you care about is whether it's better than the competition. We hate to give the ending away so early - but it is.
This is simply a phenomenal barnstormer. We've driven our share of wild ride supercars in our time, but this has all that power but in a package that's stylish but practical. Our fondness of this car starts from the fact that we like the new look C-Class. Previous versions were rather poor relations compared to the current offering. That meant AMG were starting from a good foundation. They've added some significant changes to it nonetheless. Along with the potent 6.3-litre V8 squeezed under the front bonnet, they've actually changed most of the underpinnings, from suspension through to new brakes.
Front brakes now have six piston callipers, with four at the rear. Larger dampers on the rear axle complement a newly developed front axle, and the AMG speed sensitive steering system is a joy. It's something we hope will one day work its way into the regular car.
The end result offers up awesome power that far exceeds what you expect from the figures. Not that 457bhp for a family saloon car doesn't send a shiver down your spine before you turn the key.
In this job we have a tendency to drop figures around like confetti, so perhaps it's worth reminding ourselves of some simple comparisons: a smart handling Ford Mondeo 1.8 TDI offers up 99bhp; a punchy VW Golf Gti offers 197bhp; a Porsche 911 Carrera offers an impressive 327bhp. Even if horsepower sounds like something to do with our equine friends - and in a way it does - the fact that you can own a Porsche 911 and still need to add the engine of a Ford Mondeo to your powertrain to come close to the C63, says it all.
There is, of course, that constant attention to the speedometer in front of you, and the rearview mirror for blue lights behind. Dab the pedal in overtaking and suddenly the Arctic Circle looks that bit closer, and the traffic behind an indistinguishable dot. The last time we came upon this sort of pace was in a stripped-down rally car. At least with it the pace is expected, the helmet, the overalls, the roll cage prepares you for the pace. Here you have a regular family car - albeit with very smart appendages.
Our car featured the standard 18" alloys and for Irish rural roads and urban streets littered with speed bumps, these are the best buy. They look great, the four spokes leaving plenty of space to show off the shining AMG branded callipers. Besides, the ride is firm enough - arguably more so than its rival M3 - so you need to compensate for the pin-point handling with a little comfort.
The C63 is not shy to stick its bum out in corners, unsurprising given the power going through those back wheels. In most instances the stability control steps in to keep everything in line, so most drivers will notice nothing more than the flicker of a yellow light in the instrument cluster. Turn it off and the safety net is removed, allowing the wheels to spin and the rear to slide. The beauty is that it's incredibly controlled and balanced, a smooth slide that's easily caught or held, depending on what you need for the track drive.
To accompany all that power is a set of brakes that seem to defy physics. They're not grippy or biting, but give the pedal a punch and you car seems to become glued to the spot. It's the sort of confidence builder you need when you're trying to control 457 untamed horses under the bonnet.
The C63 AMG is the best Mercedes we've driven in our time behind the wheel. It's incredibly well balanced, yet has all those stealth qualities that we love about super saloons. It's incredibly spacious inside, with a hypnotic engine note and incredibly powerful. The pricing is also very competitive, not something you'd expect to say about a Mercedes.
However, the entry price of €99,505 does not include items like metallic paint (€1,620), leather upholstery (a hefty €4,324) or even the audio/satnav command system (€4,607). So while it might look better priced than some rivals, once you start to add in some features you would expect as standard fare - and that you certainly need to protect the car's used price - you end up with a final figure closer to €120,000.
We've always loved the M3, admire the Lexus effort with IS-F and adore the RS4, but this car takes the throne. From practicality - not something that crops up very often in this class but welcome nonetheless - through to performance, it has got it all.
Is it the best stealth car out there? Not quite. BMW's larger M5 - particularly in estate format - is still king of all it purveys. The new prince, however, carries a three-pointed star. It also comes with a glorious estate version for the ultimate in stealth.
In the super saloon market - up against M3, RS4 and Lexus IS-F - this car takes the prize. It's an engineering masterpiece that leaves you with nothing but admiration for German engineering know-how. No wonder even the French now honour their ability.
FACTFILE
Engine:6208cc V8 petrol engine developing 457bhp @ 6,800rpm and 600Nm of torque @ 5,000rpm. Seven-speed AMG Speedshift Plus automatic gearbox
Specification:Three-stage ESP system; AMG high-performance braking system; speed sensitive steering; larger dampers on rear axle; AMG front apron, bonnet, radiator grille, front wings, 18" five-spoke AMG alloys; LED lights; AMG three-spoke flat underside steering wheel. Options incl: tinted bi-xenon headlamps; 19" alloys; leather upholstery
L/100km (mpg):urban - 20.9 (13.5); extra-urban - 9.2 (30.7); combined - 13.4 (21.1)
CO2 :319 g/km
Tax:Pre-July: 30 per cent VRT and €1,491 annual road tax: from July 1st - 36 per cent VRT and €2,000 annual road tax
Price: €99,505 basic price (extras on test car brought price to €116,412)