New Car: 2012 Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series Coupe

Can’t stretch to the £157,000 SLS AMG? A new, slightly more attainable supercar has joined Mercedes’ ranks – and the C63 AMG Coupe Black Series has its sights set on the BMW M3 GTS.

Dominating the headlines is the 510bhp 6.2-litre V8 engine. Hooked up to Merc’s 7G-Tronic paddleshift semi-auto gearbox, it puts out 59bhp more than the standard AMG Coupe. This helps shave three-tenths of a second off the 0-62mph time, taking it to only 4.2 seconds. And that’s a mere four-tenths down on the SLS supercar. The engine note is incredible, too.

At a private preview event, we had the opportunity to listen to the eight-cylinder powerplant explode into life. And thanks to its freer-flowing and amplified exhaust system, the roar had more in common with a piston-engine fighter plane than a road-legal car.

On paper, however, this is the most sensible Black Series Mercedes ever. In the past, the label has been reserved for two-seaters, but bosses have caved in to demand and made the C63 the first fettled AMG model to be offered with the option of four full seats. The penalty? If you want rear passenger space, you can’t have the fixed racing buckets up front you see here. That aside, it looks every bit as insane as previous form would suggest.

A wider front and rear track, plus race-derived suspension, gives the coupé a lower and more muscular stance. This is enhanced by a bodykit, 19-inch multi-spoke alloys and blistered wheelarches. There’s also a pair of air scoops on the bonnet, plus quad exhaust pipes and body-coloured brake calipers.

The interior of the two-seater, shown here, is identified by its shell-like bucket seats and bright red seatbelts. There’s a useful parcel shelf in the back, but it does without the roll cage seen on its more extreme M3 GTS rival. The dash is awash with carbon trim and AMG Black Series logos.

Plus, buyers can add an AMG Track Package, to make the car even more focused for circuit work. This includes competition-spec tyres, extra transmission cooling and an adjustable rear spoiler.

Prices are expected to be in the region of £100,000 when the car goes on sale later this year. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express