NEW Mercedes-AMG C63 S vs BMW M3 vs Audi RS4 | Why hybrid’s spoiled the AMG C63

#C63 #M3 #RS4
Mercedes-AMG has launched its new C63 S E Performance to a flurry of controversy. Going from eight-cylinders to four and packing it with electric assistance was always going to be a bold move, but how does it stack up in the real world against its closest rivals. Ben Barry drives the C63 S E Performance Estate, M3 Touring and RS4 Avant to find out.

Chapters:
0:00 – Intro
2:23 – Merc-AMG C63 S E Performance Estate
12:07 – BMW M3 Touring
19:38 – Audi RS4 Avant
26:08 – Verdict

Want to stay up to date with CAR's videos? Subscribe here:

Get the latest reviews and news from CAR magazine here:

Follow us at:

Twitter: @CARmagazine
Instagram: carmagazine
Facebook: CAR Magazine

@BenBarryCars

CAR is the online edition of CAR magazine, Britain's oldest monthly motoring mag. It's the UK's best and fastest online motoring news service, providing a constant stream of scoops, first drives and official pictures of new cars.

[CARmagazineTV]

Which would you choose?

C63 S, M3 or RS4?

[philippebeinaerts]

So the AMG uses MORE fuel than the non-hybrid BMW. They’ve absolutely ruined it … for nothing. Baffling

[ShogunsDojo]

That 4cyl hybrid Merc is just depressing. What were they thinking.

[asalazar]

If Merc thinks brand loyalty is enough to keep the c63 going, they are sorely misinformed

[shuaibshariff]

Good grief. What were Mercedes thinking? Owner of 3 V8 C63s, now in an M3 and eagerly awaiting my new M3 CS.

[rootsmanuva]

Absolutely Nobody: “I love the 503 bhp V8 in my C63 but it would be better if it were a 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid to save the environment”.

[aaronhussain]

I'm really interested to see how the Merc sells. It seems like such a blatant cock-up ditching the V8 - which is what attracted AMG clientele - to a grim 4 cyl hybrid unit, while adding more weight to rub more salt into the wound.

BMW are laughing all the way to the bank with the new M3. Its ugly, but it still maintains the good stuff which its customers like.

[AndrewL]

MB should have tried a 6 cylinder hybrid not a 4. It’s just too much changing from a V8. The main reason someone got the C63 was the V8 so I really don’t understand why they went with a 4 cylinder.

[gw]

So Mercedes have removed the one advantage the C63 had over an M3/M4 - the nicer engine. Smart move if their aim is to sell less.

[andreus]

What they didn't mention in the video (that they mentioned in the magazine article) is that they ran the 0-100km/hr times (0-62mph) and the C63Se did 3.4sec (as MB says), but the M3 did 3.3sec (under the 3.6sec advertised time) and the RS4 did 3.7 (under the 3.9 sec advertised time)

[BavariaR]

Before I went to order the BMW M3 Competition Touring I also configured the new C63s with typically comparable options. On the Merc I cam out 30.000€ more then with the M3... I also sure that the M3 will keep much better its Price Levels when getting old where as the Merc will be at 50% of its value just after 3 Years due to the Hybrid stuff... after 5 Years probably not sellable anymore. I desperately wanted to buy the Merc as I love this F1 type of technologies but my guts said NoNoNo get the M3 instead....

[PixelVogue]

The M3 Touring killed off the RSx division, the Merc killed itself off 😅

[payartz]

For anyone interested in where the scenes of the m3 and c63 were shot: Sudelfeldpass Bavaria

[lindaskhosana]

The M3 remains the benchmark, the AMG's futuristic drive train has done more damage to this car's heritage and image. For all the effort at AMG, the BMW is faster. The Audi is somewhat sublime in a way that it's not trying to make a statement, still a punchy piece of kit though, don't underestimate RS badge.

[Cslcsl]

There can only be one King and that’s the M3 and I’m getting one in about 3-4 weeks🙏🏻😇

[mayormsuthu]

I like the BMWs design it has so much presence when you see it in person or in car if theres anything like that. I know that a lot of people do not like the grills of the M3 and M4 but for me they've nailed it and it looks even better on this M3 touring. I'd choose the M3 Touring than its competitors.

[Kelveron]

Excellent and beautifully produced comparison by Car magazine. Ben Barry is a really good motoring journalist. The M3 Touring just feels so special, in a way that the overcomplicated C 63 S doesn't. V8 to V4, 1.8 tonnes to 2.2 tonnes, is not progress in my book.

[zaydnavaz]

M3T was destined to be the winner from the start. BMW's engineers knew that it would be now or never to make an M3 Touring. The M3 is the best in class already, making an estate version just brings in that extra level of emotion. RS4 has always been the sensible choice and it has held up really well against the competition. I would definitely consider an RS4 for daily driving duties along the Autobahn.

The C63Se on the other hand is a majot letdown and disappointment. The car as clearly said in the review is unfinished. I love the way the new C class looks and it would have been a great car if AMG developed the 6 cylinder engine from the E53. At least the emotional element will still be there and the car would feel more special to drive. Instead, they take the 4 cylinder already developed for A45s and throw that into the C63 thinking that giving it nearly 700 horsepower will not make owners care.

The C63 was never great dynamically. What was attractive about it was the engine and how the car made people feel. The C63 now has lost its main appeal. What's more, values of hybrids are gonna drop through the roof, especially on a car that only has 8 miles of range.

What a missed oppertunity. I think Mercedes know it

[herme]

400kg heavier than the Audi! Manufacturers are making these cars easier to drive fast in a world where driving fast is increasingly not a thing that is easy to do or considered socially acceptable. A good noise is a substitute for speed.

[augustortiz]

The AMG One and this seem to have real issues with powertrains. Overcomplicated, excessively heavy and dead. After 10seconds you are stuck with a 4 cylinder on a 2300kg+ car. Id take the other two in a heartbeat over the “AMG”