Mercedes-AMG C63 Edition 507 V-8 History

Tick Talk · 2015-12-07T18:27:54Z

Is the Mercedes-AMG C63 Edition 507 the last great V-8? Explore its history, M156 engine, and driving experience.

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Tick Talk's exploration of the Mercedes-AMG C63 Edition 507 delves into what many consider the pinnacle of naturally aspirated V-8 performance from AMG. This post provides a rich historical context, tracing the lineage of Mercedes-Benz's high-performance V-8s from the iconic 300SEL 6.3 to the M156 engine. It offers enthusiasts a detailed look at why this particular model holds such a significant place in automotive history, especially as the era of large-displacement, naturally aspirated engines draws to a close.

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.

Key Points from the Discussion

The M156/9 engine is highly praised for its free-revving nature, speed, and eagerness, making any vehicle equipped with it a pleasure to drive, despite its high fuel consumption.
The author clarifies that the M156/159 was the last V-8 "six point three," distinguishing it from the newer bi-turbo M157 and questioning the existence of a "63" designated V-12, which were typically branded as "65s."
The M137 E63, a naturally aspirated V12, is proposed as the "Best 63 / 6.3" engine, offering superior throttle response, smoothness, and sound compared to later V8s, despite being less known.
The C63's engine sound is described as glorious, with a distinctive "bark" on startup and throttle blips during downshifts, creating an exciting aural experience that contributes significantly to the driving pleasure.
The 457 hp C63 with its automatic gearbox was highly enjoyable to drive, and the 500 E from the past is remembered as an amazing car.
The AMG C63 is noted for its impressive engine roar during acceleration, which is captivating and contrasts with the car's sober body design, though it comes with high fuel consumption and tire wear.

The Discussion

vitalsigns

Dec 7, 2015

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

amanico

Dec 7, 2015

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 sobriety of the body, which seems the only thing to be sober, in this car. Indeed, the few owners I spoke with all confirmed me that the gaz station owners companies were his " best friends ", but that they didn't care, as the pleasure was as high

KMII

Dec 7, 2015

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 the sledgehammer torque of its 55 Kompressor predecessor, so perceptions change The noises it made were glorious and the acceleration brisk but not scary (the Nissan GT-R was definitely in the scary camp). A fun car for today\'s environment, whe

patrick_y

Dec 8, 2015

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 prodigious amounts of fuel though. What's the best car out there with the 63 engine? C63? W211 E63? W212 E63? SLS AMG?

KMII

Dec 8, 2015

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

KMII

Dec 8, 2015

But the V8 in the E92 was quite bad.

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