A Little Night Music

Mercedes hits a high note with a swift little sedan

Driving home after enjoying a revival performance of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, I realized that the Mercedes C63 AMG is the German automaker’s equivalent of an operetta. Smaller than the operatic CL63 Mercedes, and less thunderous than the CLK63, the new model combines a stirring engine with a lighter, more accessible, C-series sedan. Once free of downtown traffic, I cracked the window, put the C63 in manual mode, clicked a downshift with the paddle-shifter, and put my foot down. Do that, and the AMG’s 6.3-liter V-8 makes a little night music of its own.

When the C-class debuted last summer, I drove it through the mountains of Oregon and came away impressed by its combination of V-6-powered practicality and premium sedan cues, a mix that qualifies it to compete with the likes of the Lexus IS350 and the BMW 3-Series. But Lexus and BMW, as well as Audi and Cadillac, have performance versions of their volume-leading sedans, and to compete with those you need a V-8. Enter AMG.

AMG (Aufrecht Melcher Grossaspach) began tuning Benz engines more than 40 years ago, and the 1995 C36 AMG was the first car formally developed by AMG in partnership with Mercedes. Renowned for its engines, AMG has plunked its excellent 6.3-liter, 451 hp, aluminum V-8 into the new C-class.

Each AMG engine is handbuilt by one technician whose signature sits on a plaque affixed to the intake manifold. The one in my C63, built by a fellow called Timo Bamberg, can propel the car from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, on its way to an electronically limited 155 mph. It sounds marvelous, with a NASCAR-like growl, and provides instantly available, prodigious torque. Well done, Herr Bamberg.

To go with the engine, the C63 has a seven-speed auto/manual transmission that taps its power well and rev-matches downshifts brilliantly, though occasionally it feels like it’s got too many gears, particularly when automatically downshifting at slow speeds off-throttle. AMG adds its own shocks/springs to the car’s multilink independent suspension, and a redesigned front axle for better steering. Oddly enough, the front track is actually wider than the rear.

On the road, it’s an impressive, grin-inducing combination. There is just so much power, you can turn the C63’s rear Pirelli tires to melted Hershey bars any time you want — except when the stability control intervenes. Mash the go pedal at a stoplight and Mercedes’ Electronic Stability Program (ESP) cuts power, causing the car to stumble momentarily. But cheer up — this can be cured.

The C63’s transmission has three modes (comfort/sport/manual), each with progressively faster shifts. There is also an ESP button on the center dash, just below the navigation/audio/video display. Press it once and you activate ESP sport, which allows some wheelspin before stepping in. Press and hold it for a couple of seconds, and you get the ESP-off mode. Then you’d better wake up. With the transmission in manual mode, you can select first gear and you’re off to the races.

Kudos to Mercedes/AMG for the steering feel: the sedan’s Audi-like flat-bottom steering wheel telegraphs a drift (this car loves to drift) and other handling conditions with aplomb. I didn’t drive the car on a racetrack, where I hear its handling balance is not as good as BMW’s M3. But on the street, the differences are minimized, and the good sightlines, large interior volume, comfortable seats, and relatively big trunk of the Benz make it the practical choice.

The exterior, replete with a new front fascia, rocker panel extensions, various grilles, and AMG badges, is a bit over the top. Benz has also hidden the hood release so far under the dash that one presumes they don’t expect AMG owners to ever pop the hood. And, of course, 12 mpg city/19 mpg highway isn’t award-winning fuel economy.

However, if you want entertainment in your four-door, the C63 won’t disappoint. It’ll even provide the music.