Before we get to the just-announced conventional pricing for the 2015 Mercedes-AMG C63, are you wondering what that asterisk in the title is for? Well, that’s there because while, yes, each of the Mercedes-AMG C63 sedan’s horsepower costs just $138, for each the higher-output C63 S-model’s ponies, you’ll need to shell out $144. Of course, neither figure is a deal-breaker, especially given how the regular C63 packs 469 horsepower and the S-model a hearty 503.
Crunching the numbers, that means the C63 starts at $64,825 and the S-model begins at a rich $72,825. That’s a lot of money, and close observers will note that even the base C63 is dearer than the $62,950 BMW M3 sedan. A couple of caveats, however: The C63 comes standard with significantly more horsepower (the M3 makes do with “just” 425 ponies), and the C63 arrives in U.S. dealerships with a heaping helping of standard content.
Mercedes-AMG has stocked its newest autobahn-storming sedan with LED headlights (part of a $1900 option package on the M3), an adaptive suspension ($1000 on the M3), and a high-end Burmester sound system (the M3’s Hardon-Kardon sound system costs an additional $875). Other standard kit includes heated power front seats with memory, a mechanical limited-slip rear differential (the S-model uses an electronic unit), and AMG’s dynamic exhaust system that opens the audio taps when you really dip into the throttle. The more-powerful C63 S-model adds Nappa leather, 19-inch wheels in place of the C63’s 18s, and red-painted brake calipers.
Buyers can add Benz’s Parktronic parking helper (with a self-parking feature), a panoramic sunroof, 19-inch forged-aluminum wheels, an AMG performance exhaust system, red or silver seat belts, AMG performance seats, a head-up display, and carbon-fiber exterior doo-dads. C63 S-model customers are also given the choice of optional carbon-ceramic brakes.
Having driven the C63 and thoroughly enjoyed it, we’d say that at the very least the sedan’s base price seems worth it. But our assessment may soon change—after all, Audi is re-doing its A4 soon, which means a new RS4 will surely follow, and Cadillac’s ATS-V hits the streets soon, too. Yep, a comparison test is definitely in order.
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