New 550-HP Mercedes-AMG C63 Will Have Insane Performance

The covers have just come off the 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class. This posh sedan will do battle with the BMW 3 Series, but so far, we’ve only been privy to the outputs and performance figures of the base C300. Most enthusiasts will be more interested in the high-performance AMG C63. We already knew it would be powered by a four-cylinder engine with electric assistance, but new details have emerged of this powerplant.

Gleaned from the UK’s Car Magazine, the upcoming C63 will have the goods to compete with the BMW M3 and with its V8-powered predecessor. Let’s dig into the juicy details.

At the heart of the new C63 will be the 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged M139 engine already used in the viciously quick A45 S hatchback. Things get considerably more complicated after that.

Along with an integrated starter-generator, the C63 will use an electrically-assisted turbo which is said to eliminate any hint of lag, while there will be a rear-mounted electric motor. This electric motor makes 200 horsepower on its own and will complement the 420-hp turbo-four. Together, peak outputs will be 550 hp and 590 lb-ft.

By comparison, the existing C63 V8 produces 469 hp and 479 lb-ft, while the more powerful C63 S has outputs of 503 hp/516 lb-ft. The four-cylinder C63’s outputs also exceed those of the BMW M3 and M4 Competition, which both produce 503 hp and 479 lb-ft.

A 0-62 mph time of only 3.5 seconds is anticipated, making it quicker than the car it will replace, and it will be able to reach 181 mph. In short, the upcoming C63 is certainly not underendowed. The engine will be paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and the brand’s 4Matic+ all-wheel-drive system. Apparently, the e-module functions independently from the gearbox.

Along with all of this, a Drift mode will be standard. At the back, expect bigger tires than those in front, boosting traction when blasting out of corners. A new 400-volt electrical architecture means that an all-electric range of about 40 miles will be possible if you drive the new C63 like you’re in an entry-level A220 sedan.

The downside to all this electric wizardry is that the new C63 won’t be an especially light car, despite the lighter four-pot. In total, it’ll weigh around 4,409 pounds, but at least that weight is evenly balanced; a 50:50 weight distribution has been made possible by the lighter four-pot nestled in front. Expected to first go on sale early next year, it’ll sell for around £76,000 ($106,201). Whether or not you embrace Merc’s downsizing strategy, the next C63 seems ready for a heck of a battle with the M3.