The Mercedes C-Class family welcomes a new member today – the C 63 S E Performance, coming soon to the showrooms in sedan and wagon flavors. The car runs on hybrid power provided by a 2.0-liter turbo four-pot.
The engine is none other than the famous M139 equipped with a top-of-the-line turbocharger, allowing Mercedes to call it the world’s most powerful four-cylinder engine in production. This rings true when you consider that the block alone pumps out 476 PS (469 hp / 350 kW) and 545 Nm (402 lb-ft) of torque. Carrying the momentum to the four wheels is a nine-speed, wet-clutch, epicyclic auto gearbox.
As for the hybrid add-on, it is essentially the same as in the latest AMG GT 63 S E Performance, contributing up to 204 PS (201 hp / 150 kW) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque to the mix. The combined output maxes out at 680 PS (671 hp / 500 kW) and 865 Nm (638 lb-ft), but your all-electric range is pretty severely limited at just 13 kilometers (8 miles).
Other noteworthy features include rear-wheel steering, new body panels, a standalone AMG logo on the front grille, 19-inch wheels (upgradable to 20 inches), a ventilated hood, gill-like air vents in the front fenders, and bucket seats in the cabin.
The new C-Class will hit the showroom floors in 2023, with the starting price rumored to exceed €100,000.