The Evolution of AMG: Mercedes Finally Has a Proper Rival for the BMW M3

Not so long ago, AMG was all about sledgehammer performance and little else but with the latest C-E and SLS models, Mercedes is showing that they are now producing incredible alternatives to BMW's end products. But now, with the introduction of the new C63 AMG coupe, Mercedes finally has a proper rival for the BMW M3.

The New C63 AMG: A Game-Changer in the World of Performance Cars

The new C63 AMG coupe is set to retail for £57,000 in the UK, which puts it on par with BMW's M3 automatic. However, this car is auto-only, whereas the M3 comes with a choice of manual and dual-clutch gearbox options. But what really sets the C63 apart is its 450 horsepower engine, which is more powerful than either the BMW M3 or Audi RS5.

A More Gusty but Less Versatile Engine

The engine in the C63 AMG coupe is very different from that of the M3's, with a more aggressive sound and a slightly less frenzied top-end. However, this also means that it lacks the variety and complexity of the BMW's engine, which makes for a less engaging driving experience. Despite this, the C63's engine still delivers on power and performance, making it an exciting drive.

Steering, Handling, and Dynamics: Where the C63 Truly Shines

One aspect where the C63 truly shines is in its steering, handling, and dynamics. The car's steering has a wonderful feel to it, with more feedback than that of an M3. The chassis itself has excellent poise and balance, making it just that little bit easier to turn in. This combination makes the C63 a joy to drive on both amazing roads like the one we're currently driving on, as well as normal roads.

The Track: Where the C63 Really Shows Its Mettle

But the real test of the C63's abilities is on the track, where it gets to show off its true potential. As we make our way onto the Circuit de Monaco, I can feel the excitement building up inside me. The car responds eagerly to my inputs, hugging the corners and devouring the straights with ease. And yet, despite being a road car, the C63 still manages to hold its own against the track-focused Mercedes-AMG GT3 cars.

A Different Car for the Track

But what's interesting is that this particular road we're driving on doesn't actually lead anywhere - it takes us straight into the Circuit de Monaco. I had told you earlier that I would take the C63 out for a spin, but now we're getting ready to hit the track. It seems like fate has brought us here.

The Eagle-Eyed Among You Will Notice

As we get ready to head onto the track, the eagle-eyed amongst you may notice that we're now driving a different car - one of Mercedes' specific track cars. The big change here is that this car is running the standard 18-inch alloy size, which gives it a slightly more progressive response as it starts to slip. And indeed, I can feel the difference right away.

Little Understeer: Just Turn in and Bite

One thing I've noticed about this car is how little understeer it has - just turn in, and it bites hard. Even without much throttle, the C63 will start to slide from the rear, which makes for a thrilling driving experience. And as we accelerate onto the main straight, I can feel the power coursing through my veins.

Braking: A Key Aspect of Track Performance

But how do the brakes hold up on track? I have to say that they are pretty good - with decent pedal response and ABS judgment. Of course, it's not the composite brakes used in the GT3 cars, but for a road car, they're more than adequate.

In Conclusion: Does the C63 AMG Coupe Offer Something New?

So does the new C63 AMG coupe offer something new to the world of performance cars? In short, yes. It may not be as track-focused as some other Mercedes-AMG models, but it's still a fantastic drive on both amazing roads and normal roads. And while it may lose out to the BMW M3 in terms of transmission options, its unique blend of power, handling, and dynamics make it a compelling alternative.

But How Does it Compare to the BMW M3?

So how does the C63 AMG coupe compare to the BMW M3? Well, they're still quite different cars in character - one is a bit more aggressive and performance-oriented than the other. But when it comes down to it, I think I'd prefer the Mercedes for its breadth of ability and overall driving experience.

That's My Opinion: Take the C63 AMG Coupe

So there you have it - my take on the new C63 AMG coupe. It may not be perfect, but it's a fantastic drive that offers something unique to the world of performance cars. And as for whether I prefer it over the BMW M3? Well, I think I do. But hey, that's just my opinion.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: ennot so long ago amgs were about sledgehammer performance and little else but with the latest c e and sls models mercedes is shown that's now producing incredible alternatives to bmw's end products but now with this the new c63 amg coupe mercedes finally has a proper rival for the bmw m3 to find out exactly how it measures up we're fortunate enough to be just west of seville on what i think is one of the best driving roads in the whole of europe so this is one of the curious eu funded roads you find in spain that seems to go to the middle of nowhere but is perfectly serviced and completely empty but enough about the road what about this new c63 amg well it's going to retail for 57 grand in the uk which puts it on the money with bmw's m3 automatic because this c63 is auto only however you do get more power in the merc than either the bmw m3 or in fact the audi rs5 this has got 450 horsepower the engine you got in the c63 is very different in character to the m3s more gutsy but maybe a little less variety to its character and less frenzied at the top end it does however make a fantastic noise get a load of this other aspects i like well the steering is very good i reckon it's got more feel than that of an m3 and the chassis does have very good poise and balance and he's just that little bit keener to turn in the c63 does however lose out to the bmw in terms of transmission mercedes call this the amg speed shift but effectively a seven speed automatic but with a clutch in place of the torque converter but in the bmw you get a choice of a dual clutch gearbox which is both faster and slicker and of course you get the option of a proper manual but what i like most about the c63 is its breadth of ability is fantastically enjoyable on an amazing road like we've got today but it's also just as enjoyable to drive it on normal roads i actually told a bit of a fib earlier on because this particular road doesn't actually lead nowhere it takes us to the circuit monte bianco so i think we better go and have a few laps now the eagle eyed amongst you may notice we are now in a different car mercedes have specific track cars they use on events like this and the big change really is that this car is running the standard 18 inch alloy size which the engineers say just gives a slightly more progressive response as the car starts to slip one thing i have noticed with this is it's very very little understeer you just turn in it bites and even without much throttle it will start to slide from the rear so coming on to the main straight here third gear plenty of seven thousand up to four that's a hundred miles an hour that's 200 clicks i can't do the conversion and hard on the brakes how do they stand up this car is running the standard brakes not the composite brakes and pretty good pedal response and a good abs judgment really how well does it cope on track well you've got to bear in mind it is a road car but taking that into consideration i think it does very well i'd say it runs the m3 pretty close in terms of entertainment but as long as you've got the budget to pay for those rear tyres so in conclusion it comes down to two questions does the new c63 coupe offer something over the existing saloon and a state and the answer to that is yes it's that little bit better controlled and precise to drive and the second question how does it compare with the bmw m3 well they're still quite different cars in character but personally speaking for me now i take the mercedes it's just more amusing more of the time byenot so long ago amgs were about sledgehammer performance and little else but with the latest c e and sls models mercedes is shown that's now producing incredible alternatives to bmw's end products but now with this the new c63 amg coupe mercedes finally has a proper rival for the bmw m3 to find out exactly how it measures up we're fortunate enough to be just west of seville on what i think is one of the best driving roads in the whole of europe so this is one of the curious eu funded roads you find in spain that seems to go to the middle of nowhere but is perfectly serviced and completely empty but enough about the road what about this new c63 amg well it's going to retail for 57 grand in the uk which puts it on the money with bmw's m3 automatic because this c63 is auto only however you do get more power in the merc than either the bmw m3 or in fact the audi rs5 this has got 450 horsepower the engine you got in the c63 is very different in character to the m3s more gutsy but maybe a little less variety to its character and less frenzied at the top end it does however make a fantastic noise get a load of this other aspects i like well the steering is very good i reckon it's got more feel than that of an m3 and the chassis does have very good poise and balance and he's just that little bit keener to turn in the c63 does however lose out to the bmw in terms of transmission mercedes call this the amg speed shift but effectively a seven speed automatic but with a clutch in place of the torque converter but in the bmw you get a choice of a dual clutch gearbox which is both faster and slicker and of course you get the option of a proper manual but what i like most about the c63 is its breadth of ability is fantastically enjoyable on an amazing road like we've got today but it's also just as enjoyable to drive it on normal roads i actually told a bit of a fib earlier on because this particular road doesn't actually lead nowhere it takes us to the circuit monte bianco so i think we better go and have a few laps now the eagle eyed amongst you may notice we are now in a different car mercedes have specific track cars they use on events like this and the big change really is that this car is running the standard 18 inch alloy size which the engineers say just gives a slightly more progressive response as the car starts to slip one thing i have noticed with this is it's very very little understeer you just turn in it bites and even without much throttle it will start to slide from the rear so coming on to the main straight here third gear plenty of seven thousand up to four that's a hundred miles an hour that's 200 clicks i can't do the conversion and hard on the brakes how do they stand up this car is running the standard brakes not the composite brakes and pretty good pedal response and a good abs judgment really how well does it cope on track well you've got to bear in mind it is a road car but taking that into consideration i think it does very well i'd say it runs the m3 pretty close in terms of entertainment but as long as you've got the budget to pay for those rear tyres so in conclusion it comes down to two questions does the new c63 coupe offer something over the existing saloon and a state and the answer to that is yes it's that little bit better controlled and precise to drive and the second question how does it compare with the bmw m3 well they're still quite different cars in character but personally speaking for me now i take the mercedes it's just more amusing more of the time bye\n"