2024 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance: Everything You Need to Know

The Mercedes-AMG C 63 is finally back, and now, it's a hybrid. There's a two-speed electric motor at the rear axle to promote stunning acceleration and grip, as well as standard AWD and four-wheel steering. Gone is the V-8, replaced by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making an astonishing 476 hp on its own. Total output is an eye-watering 680 hp.

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At the heart of the C 63 sits the company's incredible M139 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which here uses electric turbocharging to eliminate lag, improve efficiency, and generate more power. For the C 63, it gets a larger turbocharger, resulting in a claimed output of 476 hp at 6750 rpm and 402 lb-ft of torque between 5000 and 5500 rpm.

In addition to the engine, a 400-volt electrical system with an AMG-designed 6.1-kWh battery powers a permanently excited synchronous electric motor integrated into the rear axle with its own two-speed transmission and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential.

The motor delivers instant torque to the rear wheels, and spins at up to 13,500 rpm, with peak outputs of 204 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. According to Mercedes-AMG CTO Jochen Hermann, the battery tech is a copy/paste design from the company's Formula 1 cars.

There's a two-speed gearbox inside the electric motor that allows "the spread from high wheel torque for agile starting to safe continuous output at higher speeds," according to Mercedes. It doesn't engage second gear until 87 mph for optimal acceleration.

Total output for the C 63, combining the ICE and hybrid motors, is 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque. The combined output dwarfs every other AMG on sale, save the GT Black Series. This, in a C-Class! And as a reminder, the old C 63 offered "just" 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.

The Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance is able to sprint from zero to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, according to the manufacturer. That's 0.4 seconds quicker than the outgoing model.

The Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, or 174 mph if you check the right option boxes. Interestingly, the previous C 63 had a top speed of 180 mph.

If the car senses a loss of grip at the rear, the electric motor can actually send torque back through the AWD system to the front wheels, even in EV mode.

The Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance has a dedicated drift mode that sends all the torque to the rear rubber for pure sideways enjoyment.

The C 63 comes standard with AMG RIDE CONTROL steel-sprung suspension with adaptive dampers. The front axle sports specially developed steering knuckles and supporting joints for the spring link, as well as by the rear axle, which also comes with elastokinematics designed for dynamic handling.

The C 63 S E Performance gets rear-axle steering as standard, with a maximum steering angle of 2.5 degrees in either direction. At 62 mph and under, the rear wheels will turn in the opposite direction from the front wheels. Over 62 mph, the rear wheels will turn in parallel to the fronts, up to 0.7 degrees.

Up front you'll find fixed six-piston calipers, with one-piston floating calipers in the rear. They grip AMG-specific iron rotors with aluminum top hats.

The 2.0-liter inline four is connected to an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G transmission, fancy wording for the company's nine-speed automatic. Unlike the C 63's closest competitors, the M3 and M4, there's no manual gearbox available.

At first glance you might not see much difference in the C 63 versus the normal C-Class. But look a bit closer and the changes are obvious. The AMG gets a handful of muscular changes to the exterior, including new fascias and a wider track.

Up front you'll find an AMG-specific grille with vertical slats and an oversized Mercedes tri-star symbol. There are two electronically controlled air panels behind the bumper that open and close to allow air to be regulated as required for cooling and aerodynamic improvements.

The 2024 C 63 has no less than eight drive modes in its AMG DYNAMIC SELECT system: "Electric," "Comfort," "Battery Hold," "Sport," "Sport+," "RACE," "Slippery," and "Individual." Each is tailored to deliver a unique driving experience.

The 400-volt battery system in the C 63 S E Performance uses coolant that flows around all 560 individual cells. AMG promises this design will keep the battery in a "consistent, optimal, operating temperature window, no matter how often it is charged or discharged."

The 2024 AMG C 63 S E Performance gets 19-inch black-painted alloy wheels as standard, sporting a staggered setup front to rear. A forged 20-inch wheelset is available as an option.

The C 63 gets a host of aerodynamic tweaks to ensure it can cut through the air in a more efficient manner versus its standard C-Class sibling. Side skirts, a diffuser, and a rear lip spoiler are only some of the additions.

Unlike last year, the 2024 C 63 S E Performance will be offered solely as a sedan. That means you'll have to wait if you want a coupe or a convertible.

Despite the drop in cylinders, the C 63 retains AMG's iconic quad-exhaust exits, with squared-off tips.

Mercedes claims a curb weight of 4654 pounds for the C 63 S, a massive jump of over 300 pounds versus the outgoing model. While the number is shocking, it's not entirely surprising given all of the new hybrid tech onboard.

The inside of the C 63 is vastly similar to its non-sporty counterpart. You'll find a thick-rimmed steering wheel backed by a digital display, along with a massive portrait-oriented infotainment screen in the dashboard.

For the front row, there's AMG's second-generation AMG Performance Seats. Designed to mimic a full bucket-type racing seat, they have side bolsters with weight-saving openings that also provide additional ventilation.

The infotainment is run by Mercedes-Benz's MBUX operating system, here with a handful of AMG- and hybrid-specific functions for a vast range of available adjustments.

The rest of the interior is much like the normal C-Class as well. There are real back seats for your family, so you don't have to give up driving something fun to take the kids to school.

AMG uses loudspeakers at the rear to "modulate" sound coming from the engine. Additionally, real exhaust noises are "enriched" by the cabin speakers before they reach the driver.

Charging for the onboard 6.1-kWh battery takes place via an onboard 14-volt charger with alternating current at a charging station, wallbox, or household outlet, according to Mercedes.

Mercedes has yet to release official fuel economy numbers for the new C 63, though with the hybrid drivetrain and lack of V-8, we expect a sharp increase versus the prior car, which is rated at 17 mpg city and 26 mpg highway,

There's no word on official pricing for the U.S. just yet, though Car and Driver expects the C 63 to start at $85,000 and go up from there based on trim levels, packages, and options.