The decision by Mercedes-Benz to do away with V8 power and opt for four cylinders in the latest Mercedes-AMG C63 has been contentious, to say the least, but forty years ago, the first C-Class AMG model ironically also came without a burbling V8, initially having to make do with a six-cylinder unit, albeit quite special and highly tuned.
First shown at the 1993 Frankfurt Motor Show, the C36 AMG (in the W202 series) was also the first vehicle jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and AMG after Stuttgart acquired a majority stake in the Affalterbach outfit. Based on the W202 C280 with Sport equipment line, the bore and stroke of the 2.8-litre in-line six-cylinder engine in the C280 were increased by AMG to give a displacement of 3.6 litres.
With special pistons, a modified crankshaft and a higher compression ratio, the six-cylinder’s output was increased to 206 kW, enough to take on the M3 from BMW. Even so, styling modifications were subdued, consisting of a modified front and rear apron, side skirts and larger wheels, and a chassis lowered by 25 mm.
Even with only six pistons, the C36 AMG accelerated from a standstill to 100 km/h in under six seconds, and its top speed was electronically limited to 250 km/h (unlimited, its top speed was recorded at 272 km/h). As a real “sleeper” sedan, the C36 AMG was a great success, with a remarkable 5,221 examples produced from late 1993 to June 1997 before it was superseded by the V8-powered C43 AMG (also the first C-Class to be powered by a V8 engine).
Report by Ferdi de Vos/Supplied | Images © Mercedes-Benz
