By Camilo Alfaro

If you attended the recent Chicago Auto show, I’m sure you noticed the fifth generation 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG on display. The C63 looked like a C-Class with 6.3 gallons of steroids. It is one tuff looking machine with huge quad exhaust hanging from the rear, 18-inch five star aluminum wheels and ground effects only unique to AMG. AMG is a high performance division of Mercedes Benz that soon will operate under their on brand. Based on the awesome C-Class (if you haven’t driven the new C-Class, go check it out, it is great), the C63 takes performance to another level. I can just see the AMG engineers sitting around in Stuttgart having a beer and asking themselves, how about shoe-horning our signature 6.3-liter V8 into the C-Class? Ahhhh yezzzz thatz a GREAT idea! And it sure is, the C63 is powered by a 6.3-liter V8 that produces 451 horsepower and 443 pound/feet of torque. Power is transferred via a seven speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT automatic transmission. In order to fit the 6.3-liter, the engineers had to increase the front-end by 53 millimeters. Each engine is hand built by an individual AMG engineer under the AMG philosophy of “one man-one engine” and signed with a nameplate on each engine identifying the builder. The C63 accelerates from 0-60 mph in a neck-snapping 4.3 seconds. This is faster than a Porsche 911, Corvette and a Ferrari F430 only that it has seating for five. As it comes with a performance engine, so are the rest of the components like the suspension and braking system. In order to properly test this car, I went to Firebird International Speedway in Phoenix. On the track, the C63 loves to be pushed to the limits. It was nice to see that the AMG transmission hold a gear in place while driving, without up-shifting, which made coming in and out of curves that much better. I don’t know about you, but I get a mild heart attack when I am in the middle of the apex and the transmission decides to up-shift. The C63 comes with three ESP modes (traction controls) in order to give the driver more freedom. Buyers looking for even more performance will have the option of a P30 AMG Performance Package ($3900) on 2009 vehicles. This package deactivates the factory electronically controlled top speed of 155 mph and unleashes the 6.3-liter V8 to reach an earth shattering top speed of 186 mph. It will also include an Alcantara steering wheel, composite brakes, and a locking rear differential.
The C63 starts at $53,800. It is the gateway to the AMG lineup and promises to deliver exceptional performance and value. That’s a lot of ponies for under $60k especially considering that in order to buy this type of German or Italian performance you would have to pay twice as much.