Performance Review: Mercedes C Class 63 AMG Saloon - [2011]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Mercedes C Class Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Mercedes C Class 63 AMG Saloon is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Mercedes C Class has a 6208cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The C Class shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. 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 1730 kgs (3813 lbs) this makes the Mercedes C Class 63 AMG Saloon in the same weight category as the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Mercedes C Class shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 6208cc 32V V8 engine produces 450 bhp (335 kW) @ 6800 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 443 lb-ft (600.6 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (443 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 2008 Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 R230 (284.9 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 260.1 bhp per ton and 256.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2011 C Class competing with the 2008 Mercedes SL Class 65 AMG V12 R230 (284.9 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG Coupe 507 Edition (284.8 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 256.0 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 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 (280.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Jaguar F Type R Convertible 5.0 V8 Supercharged (280.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.4 secs, this made the Mercedes C Class 63 AMG Saloon as fast as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the or the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs). This Mercedes C Class 63 AMG Saloon is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the and the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the C Class and the 1968 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 6.3 V8 383

When talking about the performance of the Mercedes C Class on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.92 secs @ 105.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1968 Dodge Coronet Super Bee 6.3 V8 383 (12.87 secs), the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Biturbo (12.88 secs), and the 1970 Ford Torino 2nd Gen Cobra SportsRoof Boss (12.89 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2011 version of the Mercedes C Class 63 AMG Saloon has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 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 2011 Mercedes C Class 63 AMG Saloon 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:

2011 C Class Rivals List.

A Brief History of Mercedes

Car Comparison