Performance Review: Mercedes C Class 32 AMG - [2001]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes C Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes C Class 32 AMG is the 5 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2001. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2001 Lamborghini Diablo GTR 6.0L V12 and the 2002 Ferrari Enzo 6.0 V12.This particular Mercedes C Class has a 3199cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The C Class shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the C Class's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1635 kgs (3604 lbs) this makes the Mercedes C Class 32 AMG in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes C Class shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 3199cc 18V V6 engine produces 354 bhp (263 kW) @ 6100 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (369 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 332 lb-ft (450.1 Nm) @ 4400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Mercedes C Class you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2017 Dodge Charger SRT 392 (241.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Mercedes C Class.

The Mercedes C Class has a Power to weight ratio of 216.5 bhp per ton and 203.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2001 C Class competing with the 2017 Dodge Charger SRT 392 (241.5 bhp per ton) or the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (241.4 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Mercedes C Class generating around 203.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1990 DeTomaso Pantera GT5 S 4.9 V8 (228.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2020 BMW 3 Series M3 3.0 Bi Turbo G80 (228.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.2 secs, this made the Mercedes C Class 32 AMG as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the or the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs). This Mercedes C Class 32 AMG is also faster than the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (5.10 secs) the and the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the C Class and the 1990 Ferrari Mondial t

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes C Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.75 secs @ 99.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1990 Ferrari Mondial t (13.69 secs), the 1995 BMW 3 Series M3 GT E36 (13.69 secs), and the 1966 Mercury Cyclone 6.4 V8 (13.69 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2001 version of the Mercedes C Class 32 AMG has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2001 C Class equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2001 Mercedes C Class 32 AMG then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2001 C Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison