Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG & Rivals (Opinion Piece)

Tuesday, the 2nd of July, was a very important day for Mercedes-Benz fans such as myself. Why you ask? Well, that was the day when Mercedes released its brand new M3 fighter, the C63 AMG.

How do I feel it compares to it's upcoming and current rivals?

BMW M3 vs Lexus IS-F vs Audi RS4 vs Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

As is obvious, I have no real experience with any of these vehicles but I'll happily offer my first impressions.

Design Analysis:

Audi RS4:

I'm happy to say that I've been a fan of the RS4's exterior since the day it was released. Always appreciated the race-car flared wheel arches and while I'll admit to once questioning the need for a such a large front-end grill, it all now seems rather fitting complimenting Audi's new design direction. Nice design with nice selection of hard edged and smooth surfaced lines with the addition of sublime touches like: mesh grills; oval exhausts; chrome polished items; etc.

Positive: Just about everything..
Negative: The lack of coloured plastic through-out the tail lamps. It's all a little too red and doesn't fair to well when it contrasts against a red body.

BMW M3 Coupe:

Hmm, what is there to say about the E92 M3? Honestly, I cannot say that am I'm overly impressed with its exterior design as it all seems rather overly uninspiring, and rather unimaginative. BMW (and its fans) refer to the 3-Series as 'svelte', but personally, this is not an attribute which I feel works well on this vehicle. If anything, it's all a little too svelte for my tastes and while this M3 benefits from a number of so-called body 'improvements', I can't say that I am pleased with any of them.

Positive: Stubby nose and uhh..
Negative: Hood scoop; mirror design; rear airtray/undertray diffuser; lack of hard lines

Lexus IS-F:
Oh God, where do I start? Well, I'll start by saying what I said on GermanCarZone: "The transformation is something like a good-looking chick (the regular IS) who thought that she wasn't good looking and then decided to destroy herself (IS-F) by overtanning, while overusing botox and adding 48DD silicon breasts." I feel that certain aspects of the design are very much disproportioned and bloated. The addition of those front-end flared wheel arches and nose heavy front undoubtedly give the car an unbalanced look. However, one particular aspect of this design that I do appreciate is the rear-end and its quad assembled exhausts. Hopefully the design will look better in the flesh (but I'm not counting on it..)

Positive: Quad assembled exhausts
Negative: Thanks to it's body add-ons and what-not, the IS design now looks frumpy, clumsy & bloated.

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG:
While I'll admit that the standard C-Class didn't do a whole lot for me, I must say that the C63 sure as hell does. The new C63 AMG manages to carry a recent tradition of AMG vehicles: it looks as if it directly came out of Mercedes' motorsport factory. The addition of the wider track at the front end with it's DTM-inspired wheel arches and redesigned front air dam means the C63 portrays a character far more aggressive than the others in this competition. Thankfully, I feel that AMG has been able to retain the smooth and elegant lines of the standard model while adding everything that was necessary (and vice versa). Top notch job

Positive: Just about everything
Negative: Rear-end looks a little short in certain pictures

Head to Head

Engines:
As I have no experience with any of these vehicles, I cannot make judgment to say which of the four boasts the best engine, I will however say that I don't believe there is a 'best' among the four. Let's face it, all four of these vehicles offer excellent engines with great strengths respective of their brands.

Interior:
Unfortunately, this is where I believe the Mercedes-Benz gets trampled. I feel its interior is a step behind the other three and it's not even that bad, but it most certainly could have been better! Ahead of the C63, I'd place the M3 and that of course would indicate that I believe the IS-F and RS4 are dueling it out for the 'best interior award'.

Head to Head

Verdict:

4th: Lexus IS-F

3rd: BMW M3

That all being said, it's down to the Audi and the Mercedes-Benz and my choice is? The C63 please. Sure, its interior is most certainly behind that of the RS4 and it isn't available with a coventional manual (like the RS4). However, you do get: RWD; an agressive DTM inspired body design; an AMG masterpiece for an engine and lastly, but certainly not least, an all-enticing 7-speed AMG automatic transmission with a selectable manual

mode.

Love at first sight? Yup!