• Performance hybrid with technology transfer from Formula 1™
• 0-litre engine at the front and electric motor on the rear axle with 500 kW system output for a superior driving experience
• World’s most powerful four-cylinder engine with an output per liter of 176 kW
• Fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive and active rear-axle steering for the first time in the Mercedes-AMG C-Class

The Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE is a real game changer: the hybrid powertrain is designed for maximum performance. It combines the AMG 2.0-litre turbo engine with an Electric Drive Unit (EDU) on the rear axle for a completely new driving experience. In addition to the clearly noticeable immediate thrust, the independent layout also ensures a balanced weight distribution – which benefits driving dynamics and handling in equal measure.

Depending on the driving mode, the electric motor boosts power and torque according to the situation, for a particularly comfortable or performance-oriented driving experience. All-electric driving is also possible. The electric powertrain and the high-performance battery with 400 volts are AMG exclusive, in-house developments. Just like in Formula 1™, the battery is specifically designed for fast power output and draw with innovative direct cooling of the cells. The electric range of 13 kilometers allows a practical operating radius, for example in the city or in residential areas. The combined system output is 500 kW, the combined maximum system torque 1,020 Nm. These are new peak values for the C-Class.

For the first time in a C 63, the fully variable all-wheel drive system AMG Performance 4MATIC+ is used to transfer the drive power to the road and includes a Drift Mode for even more driving pleasure. Added to this is active rear- axle steering as standard, another unique feature in this segment.

“The automotive landscape is changing and once again Mercedes-AMG is at the forefront of innovation with the latest C 63 S E PERFORMANCE. Technology derived from our multiple championship winning Formula 1 team has made its way into this street legal motorsport derived performance saloon. What I am proud of is that this performance phenomenon is locally produced at our East London production plant for the world.”  Mark Raine co-CEO Mercedes-Benz South Africa

Expressive design with striking front apron

Form follows function: the design of the new C 63 S E PERFORMANCE differs from the Mercedes‑Benz C‑Class in its more muscular proportions. The Saloon and Estate models are both based on an extensively modified AMG body-in-white. The front end is 50 millimeters longer and the front wings are wider. All in all, the overall exterior dimensions differ considerably from those of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. In terms of length, the Saloon measure an extra 83 millimeters. The larger track width at the front axle results in 76 millimeters more overall width at the front. And the wheelbase has grown by ten millimeters. All in all, the new C 63 S appears powerful and stretched.

A new distinguishing feature and exclusive to the C 63 S E PERFORMANCE is the narrow air outlet in the center of the bonnet, which transitions elegantly into the two power bulges. For the first time on a Mercedes‑AMG production model, a round badge with black AMG crest replaces the Mercedes star with laurel wreath on the bonnet. Hallmark elements continue to be the AMG-specific radiator grille with vertical struts and the AMG front apron in jet-wing design. Flics, large inlets and air curtains direct the airflow specifically to its various functions. Two electronically controlled AIR PANELS (behind the radiator grille and in the front apron) allow the air to be regulated as required.

Matching side skirts, the rear apron with large diffuser as well as the two trapezoidal, externally ribbed dual tailpipe trims round off the design. Exclusive details at the rear include the special airflow breakaway edge on the boot lid the plug-in charging flap and the model designation set against a red background. The “E PERFORMANCE” badge on the wings indicates the hybrid drive. The C 63 S E PERFORMANCE runs on AMG light-alloy wheels and 19-inch mixed tyres as standard. Optional wheel and tyre combinations are available in 20-inch size, likewise with mixed tyres, among them a new forged wheel.

Numerous paint finishes and equipment items are also available to provide further individualisation. The AMG matt graphite grey magno paint finish is available exclusively for the C 63 S E PERFORMANCE. The exterior design can be further accentuated with the AMG Exterior Carbon Fibre Packages I, the AMG Night Packages I and II or the AMG Aerodynamics Package.

Stylish interior, new generation of the AMG Performance seat

In the interior, AMG sports seats with a special upholstery layout and a distinctive stitching pattern add to the refined impression. There are also many individual choices available for the interior. Exclusive colours and various nappa leather upholstery with embossed AMG crest in the front head restraints emphasise either the sporty or the luxurious side of the C 63 S E PERFORMANCE.

The completely redesigned second-generation AMG Performance seat is available as an option. Its special feature is the seat side bolsters with weight-saving openings that also allow better ventilation. If nappa leather upholstery is selected, these also feature a contrasting colour as an extra highlight. The shape of the backrest tapers towards the bottom. The AMG logo is now placed between the matt chrome openings under the integral head restraint.

MBUX multimedia system with hybrid-specific displays

The MBUX infotainment system includes various AMG- and hybrid-specific displays and functions. These include the displays in the instrument cluster, on the multimedia central display in portrait orientation in the centre console and the optional head-up display.

The instrument cluster view can be personalised with different display styles and individually selectable main views. The AMG-specific Supersport style offers the option of displaying various contents via a vertical menu structure. These include a menu with hybrid-specific temperatures or a set-up menu that displays the current settings for the suspension or transmission. In addition, the driver can also have a navigation map or consumption data displayed in the Supersport style.

The head-up display also offers AMG-specific display styles such as Race and Supersport. These can be accessed via the main menu in the instrument cluster. High-quality graphics on the multimedia display also visualise the power flow of the entire drive system, speed, power, torque and temperature of the electric motor as well as the battery temperature in an AMG-specific manner. The time can be shown on an analogue IWC chronograph.

AMG TRACK PACE, the data logger for use on the racetrack, is also integrated. The software records more than 80 vehicle-specific data such as speed, acceleration, steering angle and brake pedal actuation ten times per second while driving around a racetrack. In addition, the lap and sector times are displayed.

Track-based boost strategy for the racetrack

New in the C 63 S E PERFORMANCE, it is possible in TRACK PACE to intelligently distribute the use of electric energy over a racetrack lap in order to optimise the lap time with the targeted use of the electric motor’s power. This track-based boost strategy is already stored for 30 well-known racetracks. It is to be expanded gradually to a total of 70 circuits via download.

Before driving, the driver only has to select the track on the central display, for example the German Hockenheimring, and then switch on the boost strategy with a slider. Then they activate the RACE driving mode and are ready to go. The vehicle then displays an upcoming boost sector in the instrument cluster and on the head-up display. When boosting (via kick-down with 150 kW electric power), a countdown and a horizontal bar count down the boost seconds. As soon as the indicator shows the end of the boost sector, the driver should release the kick-down. Two options are available: a strategy for a particularly fast single lap (“Hot Lap”) and another strategy for several consistently fast laps in succession (“Endurance Mode”). In a further expansion stage, the individual boot sectors are also to be shown on the multimedia display in the track view.

AMG Performance steering wheel in twin-spoke design

The standard-fit AMG Performance steering wheel with its distinctive twin-spoke design and seamlessly integrated function buttons offers a tangible and visible everyday benefit. The round AMG steering wheel buttons impress with brilliant displays and their intuitive turn-and-push operating logic. This allows important driving functions and all driving modes to be controlled without the driver having to take their hands off the steering wheel. As a new feature, it is possible to select the regeneration levels of the hybrid drive via the steering wheel buttons.

The AMG-specific E PERFORMANCE hybrid drive: combustion engine in the front, electric motor in the rear

In the new Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E PERFORMANCE, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine is combined with a permanently excited synchronous electric motor, a high-performance battery developed in Affalterbach and fully variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive. The system output of 500 kW (680 hp) and the maximum system torque of 1,020 Nm enable impressive driving performance: the Saloon and Estate accelerate from a standstill to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Acceleration only ends at an electronically governed 280 km/h (with optional AMG Driver’s Package). The 150 kW (204 hp) electric motor is positioned at the rear axle, where it is integrated with an electrically shifted two-speed transmission and the electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential in a compact electric drive unit (EDU). Experts refer to this layout as a P3 hybrid. The lightweight high-performance battery is also located in the rear above the rear axle. This compact design has numerous advantages:

• The electric motor acts directly on the rear axle and can therefore convert its power more directly into propulsion – for that extra boost when moving off, accelerating or overtaking.
• The inherent design of the electric motor means that its power can kick in straight away at full torque, making particularly agile starting possible.
• In addition, the driver immediately experiences a noticeable performance increase thanks to the integrated, electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential: the hybrid model accelerates out of bends with great agility.
• If slip occurs at the rear axle, the drive power of the electric motor is also transferred to the front wheels as needed for more traction. The mechanical connection of the fully variable all-wheel drive makes this possible by means of a propeller shaft and the drive shafts of the front wheels.
• The positioning on the rear axle improves the weight and axle load distribution in the vehicle. This forms the basis for the compelling handling.
• The AMG concept offers very high recuperation efficiency, as the system allows only minimal mechanical and hydraulic losses from the engine and transmission.
• The automated two-speed transmission at the rear axle with its specially calibrated gear ratio ensures the spread from high wheel torque for agile starting to safe continuous output at higher speeds. An electric actuator engages second gear at around 140 km/h at the latest, which corresponds to the electric motor’s maximum speed of around 13,500 rpm.
• With the increase in performance due to the additional electric motor, the development team was also able to improve the efficiency of the entire vehicle in parallel – and achieve lower emissions as well as lower consumption.