Automotive - Mercedes-AMG C63 Edition 507

Mercedes-AMG C63 Edition 507 - Last of the Best V-8?

Dec 07, 2015,18:27 PM

I'm a lover of brawny V-8 engines and solid German cars, so it was natural to be attracted to Mercedes-Benz. But after fifteen years enjoying a cultish W124 sedan discretely named 500E, it came time to part ways. Separation was made easier knowing my liebling was going to the home of another enthusiast, while I was now flush and free to seek out a replacement with even better road and track potential. That opportunity came most serendipitously with a local For Sale ad. "C63 Edition 507" was a brief enough title but to the cognoscenti it was quite sufficient; this may be the last of the best Mercedes V-8 cars! Let me explain...

The numerals “63” refers to AMG’s M156 V-8, the first production engine developed by this in-house tuner from scratch rather than an adaptation of an existing Mercedes-Benz power plant. Introduced in the famous DTM German road racing series, this motor went on to motivate a great many AMG factory hot-rods from 2008 onwards.

But this engine “only” measures out to a hair over 6.2 liters, so what gives? Perhaps an industry-tolerated rounding-up factor? Not really, the stretch was made in homage to a legendary Mercedes motor car; the 300SEL 6.3 sedan of 1968. With that beast, affectionately known simply as the “6 point 3”, M-B took their biggest M100 engine from the 600-series Grosser limousine and dropped it into a sedan normally powered by a six cylinder. The result was highly entertaining and surprised more than a few Mercedes-Benz traditionalists. The model soldiered on until replaced by the “six point nine” in 1975, but that’s another story.

Up to now it had been strictly a Mercedes-Benz story, but AMG was to get involved in up-gunning M-B cars in a similar fashion with a creation we’ve come to know as “the Hammer”. Founded in 1967, AMG was an independent tuner company run by a couple of ex-factory geniuses; Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher. In 1968 they stuffed a tuned version of the factory’s M117 V-8 engine, upon which they had grafted their own quad-valve twin-cam cylinder heads, into the mid-sized E Class sedan and stood back while the automobile press discovered it could out-accelerate most exotic cars of the day.

AMG also gained an appreciation for the M100 by racing a 300SEL 6.3 in the Europe. It was through racing that stronger bonds were forged when the factory turned to the nimble and creative AMG team to help with their own racing efforts.

Competition for sales was another matter so, not to be upstaged, Mercedes-Benz released their own V-8 powered E Class sedan in 1990 with the redoubtable M119 5.0 liter engine borrowed from the SL roadster. Discretely offered in the catalog at an eye-watering price, they went on to sell 10,000 examples of the 500E worldwide until the final E500 Limited model of 1995. Still independent, AMG bumped up their game by boring out the engine and offering an AMG E60. The grail version was appropriately titled AMG E60 Limited.

Mercedes-Benz and AMG began as competitors but evolved into collaborators with the C36 sports sedan in 1993, then cohabitants when Mercedes-Benz acquired controlling interest of AMG in 1999.

This brings us back to discussion of the “six point three”. While they started the marriage by massaging existing Mercedes-Benz power plants with forced-air superchargers and turbochargers, AMG was also working away on its very own creation. When it was revealed in 2006, the naturally-aspirated 6208 cc M156 V-8 engine could only be called one thing; the 6.3 AMG. This modern “six point three” was to reach its apogee with the M159 version dedicated to the SLS AMG supercar.

The new 6.3 engine was featured in no less than ten different AMG models, generating from 451 hp up to 622 hp in SLS trim. As a free-revving naturally-aspirated engine of large displacement, it exhibited the favorable characteristics of instant throttle response, waves of torque, and glorious sound. These features combined to have the “six point three” christened by the motoring press as the best engine ever offered by Mercedes-Benz and perhaps the finest V-8 ever made. More importantly, it attracted the attention of a significant number of buyers, young and old.

On the down-side, the engine also had a prodigious thirst for fuel and passed far too many noxious hydrocarbons. These limitations were to cause Mercedes-Benz to abandon the V-8 and relegate AMG back to the practice of adapting existing engines. Going forward, their prime motivator will be the M157 5.5 liter bi-turbo motor based on their regular production M278. Proving the relationship between marketing and myth-making, this power plant will also be called “63”.

The King is dead, long live the King! For most AMG models, availability of the naturally aspirated “six point three” ended with the 2014 model year. The huge popularity of the C63 and its fame on the track in the hands of weekend warriors surely justified one last hurrah and this came with the C63 Edition 507. Offered for sedan or coupe, the Edition 507 presented a hybrid of M156 motor upgraded with M159 internals to kick the power up to, you guessed it, 507 hp. With this and other tweaks, the Edition 507 offered a practical alternative to AMG’s boutique Black Series iteration.

For 2015, the new 63 bi-turbo AMG swept the board except for a couple of lonely hold-outs; the C63 Edition 507 Coupe and SLS. Alas, by November even these were gone and the connection with the original “six point three” was extinguished. My original statement; “Last of the best?” still remains to be adjudicated. Perhaps it is not for us to determine but rather, like the Hammer and E60 Limited, for posterity to declare if this is truth or boast.

More posts: AMGBlack SeriesMercedes-BenzSLS

Comments: view entire thread

Great write-up. Thanks for taking the time.

By: vitalsigns : December 7th, 2015-20:07

I am mourning the demise of high-performance NA engines, for me mostly in the form of BMW's M-series engines. But it is also sad to see the great NA AMG series engines phased out. Cheers, John

Superb article.

By: amanico : December 7th, 2015-22:43

When you are on the road, most of the time, you are furtively behind this car. I had, several time,s the opportunity to be behind this AMG, and to hear the impressive engine roaring during the acceleration. Captivating. And totally contrasting with the so...

Possibly the last hurrah of the big NA engine in a European production sedan

By: KMII : December 7th, 2015-23:08

I had the opportunity to try the 63 (in CLS guise) both on track and on the road. And while the chassis is adept, the whole concept was fully revolving around the engine. I remember car tests of the day praising it as much for its NA character as missing ...

Fuel and tires are not the main concern, I agree. I can't imagine how " heavy " may be the taxes here in France for such a car. ;) [nt]

By: amanico : December 7th, 2015-23:22

An aural delight to be sure

By: Tick Talk : December 8th, 2015-06:37

Nowadays engine sound is engineered into the package and is somewhat manipulative as the right sounds excite emotions independent of actual performance. Nevertheless, this car literally "barks" to life when started, which usually results in wide eyes and ...

I had fond memories of that melody. And very impressed, too. [nt]

By: amanico : December 8th, 2015-07:50

On the subject of tires

By: Tick Talk : December 8th, 2015-06:46

A pet peeve is the use of staggered and directional tires. This makes tire rotation an impossibility unless you are willing to go to the extreme of dismounting, flipping, and remounting them once a year and also accept the risk of damage to the rims!

I guess at this performance level and with RWD staggered tires are a given

By: KMII : December 8th, 2015-07:17

Whether they need to be directional is another matter. Here you would switch to winter tires in fall anyway, so at least changing sets is a given (but most people would have a separate winter tire & rim set).

My favorite Mercedes Benz engine ever...

By: patrick_y : December 8th, 2015-00:36

I have a car with the M113K engine (55K AMG). And I love the gobs of torque the car has. But the M156/9 engine is just amazing, so free revving, so fast, and eager, it's a pleasure to drive any vehicle with the 6.2 liter engine! Certainly does drink prodi...

But then again the M products are not known for low fuel consumption, either

By: KMII : December 8th, 2015-00:41

Remember a friend having the V10 M5 and that had a murderous thirst. In fact no matter how efficiently he drove it, he\'d never get the fuel consumption as low as with his NSX in full attack mode

Depends... The M3 is quite reasonable, given its performances. [nt]

By: amanico : December 8th, 2015-01:20

Not sure about the I6 ones

By: KMII : December 8th, 2015-01:25

But the V8 in the E92 was quite bad.

Sorry, I meant the 6 Cylinders. [nt]

By: amanico : December 8th, 2015-01:29

I like the E92 M3 V8, my favorite M3 thus far...

By: patrick_y : December 8th, 2015-09:01

But there's just not enough torque. You hit the gas and there isn't that torque sensation. Turns very well, superlative handling.

I understand the sentiment

By: vitalsigns : December 8th, 2015-17:46

But make sure that when you hit the gas, you are at 4,500+ RPM...will make a big difference. The engine at 8,400 RPM is quite the experience.

I believe it!

By: patrick_y : December 8th, 2015-09:00

My friends who have it in the States seem to average 14 miles per US Gallon. That's pretty abysmal. I actually average around 16 mpg in my E55 AMG. Furthermore, the fuel tank on the E55 is larger too, necessitating less fill ups.

Depends I suppose on the meaning of "best"

By: Tick Talk : December 8th, 2015-06:26

Those who track the engine seem to agree that it is most lively in the W204 C-class chassis, but for pure panache its hard to dispute the gullwing SLS.

I agree...

By: patrick_y : December 8th, 2015-09:03

I'd like to add a M156/9 engine to my stable to join my M113K engine. Just can't seem to figure out which one it's going to be... I'm thinking CLK63 Black series would be nice.

The Black Series would be juicy

By: Tick Talk : December 8th, 2015-11:14

The Edition 507 "borrowed" the hood and the engine puts out the same power, but the BS definitely is randier and wide as a bus. IIRC there were 3 options to configure the C63 Black Series depending on type of driving, but none were oriented for the street...

The C63 Black Series vehicles are nice...

By: patrick_y : December 8th, 2015-11:35

But I was thinking the 2008 CLK 63 Black Series, as it's the first official Black Series car for US Distribution, there was an earlier one (an SLK) but wasn't homologated for US. It'd be nice to have a historical car.

Ah, I understand

By: Tick Talk : December 8th, 2015-12:59

Choices, choices

By: Tick Talk : December 8th, 2015-13:12

It would certainly tick the right box and perhaps be an investment in the long run. If I won the lottery I might opt for the CLK GTR, a wonderful beast that brings back memories of the C9, or the ultra-rare 300SL AMG which mated a salvaged vintage Gullwin...

Thank you for the wonderful article! I share your love for the star, and the engine. But

By: Horology411 : December 8th, 2015-01:34

There is an omission in the history of the 6.3, and one that I consider to be significant. While the M157/9 may be the best V8, I disagree with these engines earning the title of "Best 63 / 6.3" For me, that title goes to a little known variant only five ...

Thanks for adding a V-12 postscript

By: Tick Talk : December 8th, 2015-06:20

I've never experienced a car with this engine which is a shame. Although my subject was limited to the V-8 engines, your comments relating to a "63" designated V-12 have me puzzled as I recall the M275-based V-12 AMG motors as 65's, ie, CL65, SL65, S65. P...

My mistake, I meant M156/9

By: Horology411 : December 8th, 2015-13:18

I did not mean to troll your thread or bring it on a tangent with the V12. I should probably not write when mental capacity is limited by exhaustion. I must have misunderstood the OP to propose the M156/9 as the best "63" designated engine / model. Back t...

Very interesting!

By: Tick Talk : December 8th, 2015-17:13

Thank-you, its very exciting to learn about the 2001 special "63" V-12 models. I understand from Mr. Google that it was offered in Europe and Japan only, which explains my ignorance :-(

Coolest AMG engine ever i think.

By: bimbeano : December 8th, 2015-11:05

I had the opportunity to drive the 457 hp C63 a couple of years ago and i loved it a lot, a whole lot. The automatic gearbox didn't bother me at all . I've been in some newer ones with the 5.5 BiTurbo 570 hp and last week i drove a 2004 E55K 476 hp ... al...

LOL, I get it

By: Tick Talk : December 8th, 2015-12:50

Porsche is obviously proud of it as there one in the museum at Zuffenhausen ...

The contract manufacturing was one of the elements of saving Porsche

By: KMII : December 8th, 2015-13:31

Both the 500E and the Audi RS2 actually helped get Porsche back from the brink. Hard to imagine these days but they were in quite a bad shape back then. The 500E is definitely a car I would like to own at some point.

A 500E or the Cosworth ...

By: bimbeano : December 9th, 2015-00:40

Preferably the EVO II but a nice dogleg-boxed standard 2.5-16 would fit the Bim equally well ! I'll have the Almandine Red please Dreamin' dreamin' ... Bim

Great write-up Dean.

By: jtodd : December 30th, 2015-06:04

Glad I finally made time to come here to the Automtive forum to find this. As a fellow V8 lover, albeit with the Bavarians, I feel your pain. I have the e92 M3 coupe with the "bespoke" V8 and also the 2015 M4 coupe with the twin turbo V6. The V6 is faster...

Good to hear from you Jamie

By: Tick Talk : January 1st, 2016-07:56

Happy New Year!