When the facelifted Mercedes-Benz C-Class range launched in South Africa at the end of July 2018, there was one thing missing from the line-up: the V8-powered big daddy. But now we’ve stumbled across local pricing for the refreshed Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupé (no word yet on the sedan version’s sticker-price).
How much, you ask? Well, the base price you’re looking at is R1 522 338, although adding an obligatory CO2 emissions tax figure of R13 915 takes that number to R1 536 253. Interestingly, this represents a (fairly restrained) R2 656 increase over the price of the pre-facelift model. The C43 Coupé, meanwhile, will set you back R985 836 (including CO2 tax).
As a reminder, the updated C63 S – which is expected to launch in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2018 – gains a fresh look (note the new AMG-specific grille and the remodelled twin tailpipe elements) and an upgraded transmission with added ratios.
Yes, while the untouched twin-turbo 4,0-litre V8 engine still churns out 375 kW and 700 N.m (for an unchanged claimed 0-100 km/h time of 3,9 seconds in the case of the coupé), the seven-speed gearbox of the pre-facelift model has been replaced by an AMG Speedshift MCT 9G transmission with wet start-off clutch.
Inside the renewed C63 S Coupé, you’ll find a new optional fully digital instrument cluster with a 12,3-inch screen diagonal, while a media display measuring seven inches (with a resolution of 960 x 540 pixels) comes standard. An alternative here is the 10,25-inch media display (with a resolution of 1920 x 720 pixels), which comes standard in conjunction with the Comand Online system.
There’s also a new steering wheel design that Mercedes-AMG describes as “extremely sporty”, with a heavily contoured rim. Trimmed in Nappa leather, the flat-bottomed tiller features “touch control” buttons and is complemented by galvanised steering paddles.
Read our first drive (from the international launch in Germany) of the C63 S sedan here…
