The rivalry between Mercedes-AMG and BMW M continues with the 2023 AMG C63 S E Performance, a super sedan that has undergone a major transformation. The new model has dropped its V8 engine and rear-wheel-drive layout in favor of a plug-in hybrid four-cylinder engine with 4Matic. The M3 Competition xDrive, its main competitor, has a clear advantage in terms of its combustion engine, as its inline-six, twin-turbo 3.0-liter unit produces 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. However, the AMG C63 has the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine ever put into a series production car, producing an astounding 469 hp and 402 pound-feet of torque.

The AMG C63 has an electrically assisted exhaust turbocharger derived from Formula 1 which eliminates the dreaded turbo lag. The engineers have mounted a small electric motor between the exhaust turbine and the compressor wheel to spin the turbo and provide a virtually instant boost. The C63 also uses a rear-mounted electric motor which increases output to a staggering 671 hp and 752 pound-feet of torque. This gives the new C63 a significant power advantage over the M3 Competition xDrive.

The C63 is also quite heavy for a C-Class, weighing in at 4,654 pounds, which is 730 pounds more than the M3 Competition xDrive. However, the extra power compensates for the additional weight, at least when it comes to straight-line acceleration. Mercedes claims the new AMG C63 S E Performance can do 0 to 62 mph in 3.4 seconds, which is a tenth of a second quicker than the M3 Competition xDrive. Although it can reach a top speed of 174 mph, which is slightly lower than the 180 mph of the BMW.

In terms of design, the C63 has a more subtle look compared to its competitor from Munich. It has wider front fenders to accommodate a beefier track and is three inches wider and two inches longer at the front than the regular C-Class. The wheelbase has been stretched by 0.4 inches and the overall length has increased by 3.3 inches. AMG has also fitted bigger air intakes, a larger trunk lid spoiler, a more menacing quad exhaust system, and a choice of 19- or 20-inch alloys including new forged wheels.

The C63 is also a plug-in hybrid, which means it has a battery pack with a capacity of 6.1 kWh. This gives it enough juice for a maximum electric range of 8 miles in the WLTP cycle. It’s worth noting that the hybrid component was developed for performance rather than efficiency.

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