Mercedes previews 2016 C63 AMG, C63 AMG S

Mercedes-Benz has published the first official images of the 2016 C63 AMG. The Stuttgart-based firm’s next sports sedan will debut at the Paris Motor Show next month.

Aimed squarely at the BMW M3/M4 duo, the next C63 is powered by a new 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that it shares with the AMG GT coupe. While the GT boasts 503 horsepower in its most powerful configuration, the V8 is tuned to generate approximately 470 ponies when bolted in the standard C63′s engine bay, enough to send the sedan from zero to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds and on to an electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph.

Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a seven-speed automatic transmission controlled by shift paddles. Whether or not a six-speed stick will be available is up in the air, but Mercedes has previously confirmed it is not planning on offering a dual-clutch gearbox for a multitude of reasons ranging from cost to customer demand.

Buyers after more power can opt for the C63 AMG S which packs the same 503-horsepower V8 as the AMG GT. It stands out from the regular C63 thanks to gloss black accents all around, model-specific 19-inch alloy wheels, beefier brakes and dynamic engine mounts.

Looking the Part
The C63 boasts a muscular-looking front end accented by a twin-slat radiator grille and sizable air dams with mesh inserts. Earlier reports indicate the C63 will eventually be offered as a sedan, a coupe, a convertible and a station wagon, though the latter body style will not land on this side of the pond. All models sit lower than their more humble non-AMG counterparts thanks to an adjustable sport-tuned suspension setup.

Inside, the C63 packs a performance-focused cockpit with sports seats upholstered in a combination of leather and Alcantara, a meaty three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel and an AMG-specific instrument cluster with carbon fiber inserts. A Burmester audio system is available at an extra cost.

Additional pictures and full details about the 2016 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and the C63 AMG S will emerge in the coming days. After debuting in Paris, the sedan variant will go on sale across the United States next year as a 2016 model, while the coupe and convertible models will follow shortly after.