AMG has made a profusion of performance Mercs over the years, some excellent, some far from convincing, but the C63 falls decisively into the first category. It scores where it counts with performance cars, with its ferocious zest, the sound-track to go with it and handling that's not only capable but addictively entertaining too. Own one of these, and memorable drives will suddenly become a regular feature of your life. But there are downsides, chief of which are a sometimes turbulent ride - turbulent enough that passengers will sometimes wish you'd bought an MPV instead - and a V8 with a worrying thirst for fuel. This is strongly-charactered car whose compromises will sometimes annoy. But the flip side is terrific.
Specification
Make and model: Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG
On sale: Spring 2008
Price: £50,000 est
Engine: 6208cc normally aspirated V8 petrol
Power: 457bhp at 6800rpm
Torque: 443lb ft at 5000rpm
Performance: 4.5sec 0-62mph, 155mph top speed (limited)
Fuel economy: 21.1mpg (combined)
CO2 emissions: 319g/km (combined)
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