Mercedes-AMG C63 S pricing revealed

Order books have opened for the new Mercedes-AMG C63 S, with the sedan asking $154,900 and the estate a $2500 premium.

This is exactly the same price as the previous C63, $14,500 less than the final C63 Edition 507, and undercuts its main rival, the BMW M3, by $1530. The estate, however, carries a $6000 premium over its closest rival, the Audi RS4 avant.

The price has remained static despite the comprehensive standard specification chosen for the new model by Mercedes-Benz Australia.

A full list of standard equipment can be found at the bottom of this article, but the good news for MOTOR readers is that most of the mechanical option boxes have been ticked for Aussie cars.

Most obvious is the 'S' package, which lifts the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8's outputs from the 350kW/650Nm of the standard C63 to a GT S supercar-matching 375kW/700Nm.

With 80 per cent of previous C63 buyers ticking the 'Performance Pack' option, M-B Australia has decided not to offer the standard car.

With so much grunt on offer, thankfully the electronically-controlled locking rear differential is also standard, along with 19-inch wheels with 245/35 (front) and 265/35 (rear) rubber and adaptive suspension.

The net result is 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.0sec for the 1655kg sedan, with the estate's extra 70kg costing it a tenth of a second in the benchmark sprint. Both models are electronically-limited to 250km/h.

One clever bit of tech lifted from the GT S supercar are active engine mounts, able to continually adjust their stiffness in the name of improving refinement while cruising or handling while at maximum attack. Most buyers, however, will be more interested in the sports exhaust, which hopefully offers plenty of that trademark AMG rumble.

Of course, all the equipment in the world is of little use if it doesn't drive brilliantly, so check back Tuesday for our first fang of the new C63 S.

Standard equipment list for the Mercedes-AMG C63 S:

• 19-inch wheels
• AMG ride control sports suspension
• Electronic locking rear differential
• AMG Dynamic Select drive programme
• Active dynamic engine mounts
• AMG instrument cluster with TFT multi-function display and RACETIMER
• Night package
• Performance exhaust system
• Performance front seats with memory function
• Performance steering wheel in black nappa leather
• Burmester 13-speaker surround sound stereo system with nine-channel DSP amplifier
• COMAND online
• Digital TV tuner
• Head-up display
• Heated front seats
• LED intelligent light system with adaptive high beam
• Metallic paint
• Nappa leather upholstery
• Panoramic glass sunroof
• Automatic climate control