The new Mercedes C 63 AMG Coupe is the cherry on top of the C-Class AMG range. No prizes for guessing that ‘63’ refers to the huge AMG 6.3-litre V8 sat under the bonnet. The engine produces 451bhp and this propels the car to 62mph in just 4.5 seconds. The top speed has been limited at 155mph, which is probably for the best as most cars leaving AMG these days seem to be a tad unforgiving in the handling department.

The car has been fitted with an AMG Speedshift MCT 7 speed sports transmission that has a ‘Controlled Efficiency’ mode; which is a relief because the 6.3-litre V8 is unlikely to be frugal.

For just over 6k you can add the AMG Performance Pack that does…very little.

The 30hp increase is very welcome but you only see a 0.1 sec reduction in the 0-62 time. Forged pistons, connecting rods and lightweight crankshaft make the car three kilograms lighter which no one except a racing driver will notice.

The C 63 AMG Coupe has also borrowed a baffling array of driver assist technology from cars like the S-Class. In fact, Mercedes seem to think that we’re all incapable of driving our cars safely. There’s software for blind spots, keeping you in lane, keeping you awake, keeping you facing the right way, keeping you within the speed limit; just in case you decide to read a book or watch a DVD whilst going down the M25. There’s also something called DISTRONIC PLUS, which sounds like something found in a medicine cabinet, but apparently has something to do with proximity control.

Needless to say we think this car will be hugely popular, especially with a certain Top Gear presenter. The M3 will be tough competition and history suggests that the BMW will probably be quicker than the Coupe on the track, but the Mercedes will be the most fun to drive…terrifying, but fun.

The C 63 AMG Coupe will be launched in July 2011 to compete with (no surprises) the BMW M3 and Audi RS5. Expect to pay around £63,000 for the Coupe and about £67,000 for the Edition 1 (The Edition 1 has prettier bits inside and out).

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