Mercedes-AMG’s decision to substitute mighty V8 muscle with turbocharged four-pot power in the latest C63 S E Performance model was not well-received by all pundits. However, like it or not, this super saloon has come full circle. Its original forerunner also used four-cylinder clout and was linked to AMG.
Blame the rapid evolution of the automotive landscape toward electrification and carbon neutrality for the shift in focus of performance brands such as Mercedes-AMG. These brands are forced to pursue innovative power solutions to stay compliant with ever-stricter emission standards.
It probably took some heated boardroom debates before Mercedes-Benz executives sacrificed their signature V8 engine in some models, favouring hybrid technology and turbocharged four-cylinder power. Although some view this as sacrilege, as it dilutes the brand’s essence, they forget that before AMG became a fully-owned Mercedes company, and before Stuttgart officially introduced the C-Class, its iconic W201 “Baby-Benz” performance antecedent paved the way for smaller, high-powered Mercs, which were endowed with four-cylinder power.
THE COSWORTH CONNECTION
The history of the four-pot performance powerplant started in the late 1970s, when Mercedes wanted to take the small 190 E rallying. They approached British engineering company Cosworth to develop a four-cylinder engine (Project WAA) to deliver 239 kW for the rally car.
Unfortunately, Stuttgart’s rally plans were scuttled when Audi introduced the Quattro with all-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine. Mercedes-Benz then turned to the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) series, where the rules stipulate that participating cars must be based on a road-legal model. So, Mercedes commissioned a production 190 model with a detuned version of the Cosworth engine.
This performance model, the 190 E 2.3-16, was officially introduced in September 1983, only a month after three 190 Cossie models had set three world records at the Nardo testing track in Italy, recording a combined average speed of 247.94 km/h over the 50,000 km endurance test and establishing 12 international endurance records.
In the road car, the 2.3-litre 16-valve engine generated 136 kW at 6,200 rpm and 236 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm, easily revving up to 7,000 rpm. It could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in less than eight seconds and reach a top speed of 230 km/h – remarkable figures for a sports sedan four decades ago.
AMG POWERPACK
The road car also had an AMG connection, as the Affälterbach company introduced an optional power pack for the 2.5-16 (and Evolution I) models. The AMG 16V pack increased power to 167 kW and torque to 245 Nm, pushing the top speed to 250 km/h.
In race trim, the Cossie engines produced up to 261 kW, but as the DTM competition with BMW’s M3s heated up, even this was not enough. In 1988, the 2.3-litre engine was replaced by an enlarged 2.5-litre version, which increased peak power output by 14 kW (150 kW without catalytic converter) and slightly increased torque.
The standard equipment in the Cosworth derivatives differed significantly from other 190 models, as was evident in the two first-rate and completely original examples belonging to Cape Town-based Mercedes-Benz aficionado Ismael Royker, aptly registered as COS 23 and COS 25.
Besides a bespoke body kit that reduced drag to 0.32 Cd, the 2.3-16 and 2.5-16 had smaller steering wheels and a quicker steering ratio than other 190s. The Getrag five-speed manual gearbox with notchy dogleg first gear was unique to the 16-valve models.
The 2.3-16-valve model came with a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) as standard. In turn, the 2.5-16 was available with an ASD system as standard – an electronically controlled, hydraulically locking differential which activates automatically.
The suspension on both 16-valve models was lower and stiffer than on standard W201 models, with a hydraulic self-levelling suspension (SLS) on the rear. An engine oil cooler and a larger fuel tank (on the 16-valve models) were also introduced.
The interior, with tartan-cloth upholstery for the side-bolstered sport seats and wood veneer trim on the front panel and centre console, is strictly four-seat only and can be distinguished from standard models by three extra dials on the centre console: an oil temperature meter, a stopwatch, and a voltmeter.
RACING PEDIGREE
In addition to the world records set at Nardo, the standard 190 E 2.3-16 was used in the 1984 Nürburgring Race of Champions, held at the inauguration of the new, shorter Nürburgring. Current and former F1 drivers were at the wheel, and an unknown Ayrton Senna won the race.
Although none of the 16-valve models were available in South Africa (the highest local specification was the 190 E 2.3 Sportline), we did see the racing versions on the racetrack in 1990 when AMG-prepared DTM-spec Evo IIs – driven by DTM aces like Roland Asch and Klaus Ludwig – participated in the Yellow Pages 200 DTM invitation race at Kyalami.
Asch took the overall victory and the race also represented a milestone for Mercedes, as his Evo II was the first works test car equipped with an anti-lock braking system for racing.
UNDERSTATED STYLING
Parked next to its four-cylinder Cosworth predecessors, the new C-Class AMG performance star looks decidedly understated given the punch that it packs. The C 63 S E Performance also differs from regular C‑Class models with more muscular proportions, including a wider track and 10 mm longer wheelbase.
Another distinguishing feature is the narrow air outlet in the centre of the bonnet, and a round AMG crest replacing the bonnet star. AMG-specific elements include vertical struts and air panels for the radiator grille, a jet-wing design for the front apron and flics, and large inlets and air curtains to direct airflow.
Matching side skirts, a rear apron with a large diffuser and two trapezoidal, externally ribbed dual tailpipe trims, and a special airflow breakaway edge on the boot lid, round off the styling.
Inside, comfortable AMG sports seats with Nappa leather and embossed AMG crest in the front head restraints greet you, and the MBUX multimedia system includes various AMG- and hybrid-specific displays and functions.
All essential driving functions and modes can be controlled from the twin-spoke steering wheel, including the regeneration levels of the hybrid drive. It takes time to get used to all the different options and views, though, more so when you dive into the AMG-specific Supersport and Race options that include an AMG Track Pace data logger.
MODERN F1 TECHNOLOGY
Following in the footsteps of its four-pot forebears with their F1-grade Cosworth engines, the latest Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance uses technology derived from the multiple championship-winning Mercedes Formula One car to produce power equivalent to that of a big turbo V8…
This combines the clout of the M139l engine, the most potent production 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo in the world (developing 350 kW and 545 Nm of torque) with a belt-driven starter generator (RSG), a 150 kW synchronous electric motor, a high-performance 400V battery with a capacity of 6.1 kWh, continuous output of 70 kW, peak output of 150 kW for 10 seconds, and fully variable AMG Performance 4Matic+ all-wheel drive.
The combined system output of 500 kW and a whopping 1,020 Nm of maximum torque enable impressive performance figures, as the C63 S E Competition sedan and estate can scoot from zero to 100 km/h in only 3.4 seconds, attaining an electronically governed top speed of 280 km/h (with the optional AMG Driver’s Package).
The electric motor on the rear axle is integrated with an electrically shifted two-speed transmission and electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential in a compact electric drive unit (EDU). This setup ensures full torque to the rear wheels when accelerating, and prodigal grip on all four wheels when cornering.
A ROAD MISSILE
It may lack four cylinders and that mighty V8 roar of its bigger siblings, but man, don’t underestimate the shove from the electric system with Race Start assistance, accompanied by the acoustically induced and enhanced screech from the turbo four-pot, when the compact-sized sports sedan takes off.
That initial boost shoves you back into the sports seat, and you can only hold on and watch as the dials twirl upwards and the AMG Speedshift nine-speed auto transmission rushes through the gears…
However, as forceful as this performance hybrid can be when enticed, so docile and silent it can be in city traffic in Electric (available up to 125 km/h), Comfort, or Battery Hold mode – out of a choice of eight modes, including Sport, Sport+, Race, Slippery, and Individual.
Another plus is the AMG battery concept, which offers high recuperation efficiency. Designed for fast power delivery and draw, not for range, one still can do about 13 km in Electric Mode. Four different energy recuperation levels are available, with Level 1 as default. This was our favoured setting, although we sometimes used Level 2 (virtually negating any braking) in city traffic.
The C63 S E’s AMG Ride Control steel suspension and Adaptive Damping System combine sporty driving dynamics with good long-distance comfort. Three different damping maps (Comfort, Sport, and Sport+) are available, although the Sport+ setting is too harsh for poor road surfaces.
Even so, with all-wheel drive and standard rear-axle steering, the sports sedan’s handling was exemplary in all conditions. For added fun, Mercedes-AMG has now also included Drift Mode in the dynamic system setup.
LAST WORD
Although the locally built W206 Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance (and the special F1 Edition) is now available only with four-cylinder power, it does not detract from its lofty muscle car aspirations. Still, the blueblood burble of a bespoke V8 exemplifies the spirit and ethos of AMG, and this is sorely missed in the newcomer.
Yet, this performance model has come full circle, picking up where its original compact super sedan predecessor left off, and the lack of brawny big-block power should not detract from the performance hybrid’s strong points.
We thank Ismael Royker from Cape Town for making his exemplary examples of the 190 E 2.3-16 and 190 E 2.5-16 available for our photo shoot.
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © RYAN ABBOTT
