Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Wagon: How a Four-Cylinder Became a Quarter-Mile Titan

Love or hate them, station wagons have an indelible place in automotive history.

They certainly have their dedicated enthusiasts and detractors, and the sheer variety they come in only adds to the mix.

Today, we delve into a clash of titans: three of Germany's finest wagons battling it out over the coveted quarter-mile. Out of them, the latest headliner is the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Performance wagon that has done the unthinkable by swapping its roaring V8 for a more 'earth-friendly' powertrain.

A Four-Cylinder with E-Power: The New AMG C 63 S

The new Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Performance station wagon marks a revolution, shedding its traditional V8 in favor of a seemingly subdued 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine.

Before you write it off, let's delve into the numbers. The four-banger, alongside an electric motor that powers the rear axle, generates a combined 671 horsepower—four more horses than the iconic Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.

Under normal circumstances, the AMG M139l internal combustion engine on its own produces 469 horsepower. When paired with the electric motor, torque figures skyrocket to a staggering 752 lb-ft.

This impressive mix of power does have a caveat; the added hybrid components make this AMG quite heft, tipping the scales at 4,828 lbs.

At a price tag reaching $126,677 in the UK, it’s undeniably a high-ticket item. Switch hemispheres and you’ll pay close to 187,900 AUD in Australia, roughly $125,178 US dollars.

Still Want a V8? You Have Options.

For the purists, Mercedes does offer a shouty V8 option in the form of the 2023 AMG C 63 S Coupe. This classic comes with the handcrafted, 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, churning out 503 horsepower.

This rear-wheel-drive beast accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds.

Priced at $81,850, it sacrifices cargo space for thrills, unlike its estate counterpart. If you’re in the UK or Australia, geography-specific taxes and duties will bring this price even higher.

The Competitors: BMW M3 Touring and Audi RS4 Avant

From Munich, the BMW M3 Touring takes its place among the competitors. Equipped with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six, it produces 503 horsepower, sent to the ground via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Despite packing immense power, it remains relatively light compared to the AMG, weighing in at 4,111 lbs.

For those in Britain, the M3 Touring starts at around $112,771. Then there’s the Audi RS4 Avant Competition—a masterclass in balance and efficiency. Sporting a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6, it generates 444 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, it utilizes an 8-speed automatic transmission. The RS4 is the lightest contender at 3,847 lbs, and it commands a premium of about $107,763 in the US dollar equivalent when bought in the UK.

The Race: Quarter-Mile Showdown

No wagon face-off would be complete without some drag races. In a tightly contested quarter-mile run, the Mercedes-AMG Performance wagon clinched first place, clocking in at 11.5 seconds.

The BMW M3 Touring came a close second at 11.6 seconds, while the Audi RS4 Avant wrapped up at 11.9 seconds. The AMG’s intricate hybrid drivetrain did show a slight hiccup when gear changes involved the rear axle electric motor, temporarily granting the BMW some ground.

Yet, in subsequent half-mile roll races, the Mercedes obliterated its competitors, even without the V8 growl, establishing its dominance in this automotive aristocracy.

A Changing Landscape

Despite initial skepticism, the transition from a V8 to a hybrid four-cylinder has not hindered the new AMG C 63 S Performance wagon. Its quarter-mile victories signal a larger shift in the performance car realm, suggesting eco-friendly doesn’t mean less thrilling.

Mercedes-AMG has effectively taken a risk, and it appears to be paying off gloriously. This battle of endearing estate cars shows that performance, luxury, and eco-friendliness can indeed coexist.

While old habits die hard for purists lamenting the V8 era, the numbers speak louder, and they herald a promising, albeit different, future.

Photo: carwow