On the outside, The 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 S looks like a pure evolution of the long series of pre-existing models. The basic design of the brand-new C-Class is still there but flared fenders, abrasive air dams, and other features mark the change into one of the AMG’s most exuberant hot rods. But underneath things aren’t as they were in the past. The C-Class’s most popular models have been powered by V8 since 1997 But not anymore. In lieu of the previous 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, in 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 S is a hybrid plug-in that incorporates the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, as well as the electric motor.
2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Changes
It was previously driven by its rear axles, this hybrid will drive via an all-wheel drive (AWD). Some V8 fans may be wailing however, probably not until they can test the product. While the most popular 2021 C63 S V8 produced 503 horsepower, this new version will have an overall total of 680 horsepower (a 35% increase) however it’ll also be heavier because of all the latest hardware.
That thrust is delivered almost instantly thanks to its electrically-assisted turbocharger and direct-cooled 6.1 kWh battery pack, both informed by similar tech on Mercedes’ Formula One cars. AMG superfans might recognize a few of the equipment utilized in this new machine, but it’s identical to any of its corporate cousins. It’s probably the cheapest of the E Performance models, though it’s not going to be with a price tag that isn’t too expensive. It’s likely that the C63 S’ systems will influence those of the upcoming AMG-based Mercedes-Benz CLE coupe, due to replace the C C-Class and E-Class two doors in 2024.
Mercedes-Benz plans to be all-electric by 2030. AMG’s contribution to that is already taking shape as well, with the AMG EQS available this year, and the battery-electric AMG.EA platform is scheduled to go live in 2025. In the meantime, plug-in hybrids are now popular and AMG presented its first plug-in hybrid vehicle, its AMG GT63 S E Performance in the year 2000. At the heart of that nearly $200,000 supersedan are the same 6.1-kWh battery pack and electric drive unit (with a two-speed transmission) as the new C63 S, and the same electrically-assisted turbocharging technology derived from the Formula 1 cars.
“The real secret of this battery,” Hermann explained to Forbes Wheels, “Is its 70-kW continuous power. This level of power allows you to reinvest the energy stored in the battery in a short time.” The pack that is liquid-cooled, with 557 lithium-ion cylindrical cells with the same 2170-sized format Tesla utilizes, is designed to be swift to draw while hitting the hammer instead of being made to be optimized for the range. “It’s copy-pasted from the Formula 1 car, but with different dimensions,” Hermann said. In many PHEVs, Hermann adds, drivers recharge the battery over night before using the electric range. This is difficult to replenish with the regenerative brake alone. “In this car,” Hermann explained, “Depending on how you drive, there are situations where you could deplete the battery and fully charge it twice in a 20 or 30-minute drive.” In spite of this, the C63 E Performance is capable of driving for around 8 miles in electric mode, and up to 81 mph.
The electric drive unit’s dual-speed transmission is designed to keep the power ready for rocketship launches off of the line, but it also allows for extending maximum speed and shift to a higher speed at 140 km/h (87 miles per hour). Placing the pack and drive unit back in the rear helps distribute weight, Hermann said, and the car can carry 52 percent the weight of it on its rear wheels. The drive unit is electric and has an in-built limited-slip differential due to its ability to transmit and is mechanically connected to driveshafts, this is a full-wheel drive when it’s in hybrid or fully-electric modes. It is also able to recover power from the four wheels and AMG has created four different levels of regenerative brake and altered the driving modes to ensure more efficient energy management, but it’s not clear the amount of energy that anyone can be able to recover from the “drift mode.”
Those who love the new C-Class will recognize a lot of this interior. However, AMG has an exclusive steering wheel, as well as various other modifications that make it feel more athletic (sport seats are designed to keep the driver in place on the track) and also look more modern (tweaks on changes to the MBUX Interface). Mercedes-AMG
Engine
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 will use a version that uses that 2.0-liter “M139” four-cylinder engine found in the CLA45 as well as GLA45 models. However, it is rotated to run north-south, instead of the transverse layout that is used in the front-drive-oriented models. It could have half as many cylinders as the original V8 however, the M139 is the most powerful production car four-cylinder engine in the world due to its turbochargers that are electric.
Conventional turbos make use of the exhaust gasses of engines to spin a motor that is then rotated by a compressor, forcing air to the intake manifold. This builds up pressure that pushes greater air in the. The problem with Turbos is that they can take a while for the exhaust gas to accumulate to boost the amount. AMG’s electronic version utilizes an electric motor that is tiny to speed up the process, and maintains the highest level of boost, resulting in rapid throttle response.
“The concept is very much like the Formula 1 car,” Hermann explained that the car had a lock on the F1 championship from 2014 until 2020. AMG was the very first business to offer production vehicles with this kind of system. Both AMG models of the C-Class and C63 S as well as the more mild C43 (arriving in 2023 and packing 402 horsepower) will receive the latest technology. For the C63 S, the engine will produce four69 horsepower as well as 402 pounds-feet of torque. The electric drive unit provides an additional 236 pound-feet of torque and 201 horsepower but it is able to maintain these levels for a period of 10 minutes. After that, the engine drops to a constant of 94 horsepower.
The combination of the electric turbo and the instant torque generated by an electric motor could result in acceleration that is more reminiscent of the acceleration of a performance electric vehicle as well as no doubt AMG is keeping an eye at cars such as those of Tesla Model 3 Performance and Audi e-tron GT, which could appeal to buyers. There aren’t Nurburgring lap time estimates to boast about (yet) however, the company claims that the C63 S Performance will accelerate to 60 miles per hour in 3.3 seconds, and when ordered correctly, accelerate to speeds of 174 mph.
Specs
Although the modifications to the engine might appear more dramatic, AMG has also extensively altered the design of the car and has redesigned it to match its athletic purpose. 3.3 inches overall, the majority of the stretch is located ahead of the A-pillar, and the front of the car is constructed and stretched over the 3.0-inch longer front track that is wider over the regular C. Its wheelbase is also growing by just a tiny bit.
The new, beefed-up shell Hermann informed Forbes Wheels, is 20 to 30% more robust than the previous V8 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63. Like all good things in the case, a more rigid shell will mean more limits for the racetrack and improved handling, however, some aspects of the new design were not entirely focused on performance. “We added a larger size of the dampers to provide more comfort and when you drive in electric mode, you can truly feel the softness. The ride comfort is different than the old model.”
Like similar AMGs, the C-Class has interior changes, such as the AMG steering wheel as well as different images for the software of the car. The only thing that does differ from the standard C-Class is in the cargo space because of the massive battery pack and the electric drive unit. However, only a handful of enthusiasts of performance will be concerned. Weight is rising obviously, but thanks to all the new technology it’ll boost the car’s mass to 2100 kg (4,600 pounds ), up from about 4,000 pounds for the V8 model of the past) However, AMG hasn’t disclosed a specific amount.
2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Price & Release Date
There’s no price yet to be announced to date for this 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 and, considering the previous model from 2021 having begun at about $78,000, a figure that’s in the mid-$80,000 region is expected. This is a few thousand over the price of 2022’s BMW M3 Competition, but it’s just a fraction of the cost for its predecessor, the AMG GT63 S E Performance, and is expected to be just as thrilling as the ride. AMG will officially launch its 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 later this year and the first vehicles will be available for German buyers in the summer of 2019 but it’ll be a twenty-fourth-year model before it is available in the US.