More power not the priority for Mercedes-AMG 63

MERCEDES-AMG CEO Tobias Moers says he was not tempted to extract more power and torque out of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine as part of the update to the C63 range.

The German car-maker’s performance arm revealed the facelifted C63 range – which includes the sedan, wagon, coupe and cabriolet – at this week’s New York motor show.

While the update ushered in changes under the skin to improve dynamics, as well as adding new tech and some styling changes, there was no bump in power and torque outputs from the 350kW/650Nm in the C63 and 375kW/700Nm in the C63 S offered in Australia.

Speaking with GoAuto at the New York event, Mr Moers said he was satisfied with the outputs before the update and that it was not necessary given the other changes under the C63’s sheet metal.

“It is ok power,” he said. “It is not always a question about who has the highest power output. It is a well-balanced package. And with the facelift it is even more balanced than before.

“We did the nine-speed (transmission, up from seven speed) for a wider range of gears. You have a better ratio especially, on a racetrack as well. We did some improvement to driving dynamics. The car is more comfortable and faster on a racetrack, which is always a good combination.”

As reported this week, the new C63 benefits from changes to the suspension set up, including an overhauled four-link front axle and multi-link independent rear suspension with AMG Ride Control.

He admitted that AMG could squeeze more power and torque out of the V8 engine, but added that the C63’s rear-wheel-drive layout made that a challenge.

“The engine is always the same, 4.0-litres to 4.0-litres, so we could get more out of the engine, but the problem is it is a rear-wheel driven car. From my perspective that’s great.” When asked whether AMG would introduce some special-edition versions of the C63 down the track, specifically a return of the popular Black Editions, Mr Moers said: “There is nothing. There is going to come up some editions, but not a Black Series.”

Mercedes has previously offered Black Edition versions of models such as the SL65, SLS and previous-generation C63 Coupe, which add power gains and bodykit flourishes over its regular counterparts.

Mr Moers has been reported as saying that the next-gen A45 hot hatch would pump out more than 300kW, an increase over the current model’s 280kW/475Nm output.

When asked what that would mean for the 0-100km/h sprint time and whether it could bring it down below the 4.2 seconds of the current A45, he said it was too early to discuss performance figures.

“It drives great. But it’s too early. I know the numbers. It comes to the market in 2019. In 2018 we will have the A35.”

Mr Moers was again coy on what powertrain the A35 would use, but confirmed that it would be a “different powertrain”, not just a downrated version of the A45’s 2.0-litre turbocharged unit.

Some reports have suggested that the new-gen A45 will use a heavily revised version of the existing 280kW/475NM 2.0-litre turbo four-pot, while the A35 could add a 48-volt electrical system to that unit.

Meanwhile Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific PR, product and corporate communications manager David McCarthy told GoAuto that the company expected the C63 to continue to be the best-selling AMG variant Down Under when the updated version lands in August this year.

He said the C63 sedan was the overall best-selling variant, followed by the twin-turbo V6-powered C43 sedan, then the C43 Coupe, while the A45 was still a strong seller alongside the related CLA and GLA45.