2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series

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  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series gallery image
  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series gallery image
  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series gallery image
  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series gallery image
  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series gallery image
  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series gallery image
  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series gallery image
  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series gallery image
  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series gallery image
  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series gallery image
  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series gallery image
  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series gallery image
  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series gallery image
  • 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series gallery image

The C63 AMG Black Series is the ne plus ultra of Mercedes-Benz’ C-Class range. Based on the C63 AMG Coupe, the Black Series adds more power, a stiffer suspension, unique styling elements and an upgraded interior to create a sports coupe that can run with a Corvette Z06 on the track and then pamper its occupants with luxurious appointments on the ride home.

The heart of the Black Series is its fire-breathing 6.2-liter V8. Like AMG Development Package-outfitted C63 AMGs, the Black Series borrows its pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft from the SLS AMG supercar, while a new engine control unit helps to bring output up to 510 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque.

With meaty 255/35 R 19 and 285/30 R 19 tires (up from 235/40-18s and 255/35-18s on the C63 AMG) to put the ample power to the pavement, the zero-to-60 mile per hour sprint takes well under four seconds, placing the car’s performance in supercar territory. Fuel economy is rated at 13 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway.

Aiding the Black Series’ accelerative efforts is a seven-speed automatic transmission dubbed the SPEEDSHIFT MCT that utilizes a wet clutch pack in place of a traditional torque converter. The result is gear changes that can occur in just .1 second in the transmission’s sportiest shift mode. The transmission features smooth rev-matching during downshifts and has a launch mode for stoplight racing; if drivers want to take control into their own hands, aluminum paddle shifters situated behind the well allow them to do just that.

To accommodate the cooling airflow necessary to keep the big 6.2-liter V8 happy, the Black Series’ front fascia features a massive central air intake flanked by two black-mesh covered intakes where bumpers normally reside on the C-Class. Two hood mounted apertures allow hot air to escape from the engine compartment.

The car’s wide tires necessitate fenders that are 2.2- and 3.3-inches wider at the front and rear, respectively. Interestingly, the vents behind the front wheels and ahead of the rears serve not a functional but an aesthetic purpose.

Performance on curvy roads is enhanced by a motorsports-inspired AMG coil-over suspension that features a range of settings for individualized set-up. A limited-slip differential is standard equipment and helps to ensure that the Black Series has the traction to make the most of its horsepower.

The Electronic Stability Program offers a variety of settings suitable for a wide range of driver skill levels. In "ESP ON" mode, the onset of handling instability leads to braking intervention at one or more of the wheels, accompanied by a reduction in engine torque. Briefly pressing the ESP key activates "ESP SPORT". In this mode the braking intervention to counter oversteer or understeer, as well as the accompanying reduction in engine torque, allows a higher dynamic threshold. The truly brave should take note that that prolonged pressure on the ESP key activates "ESP OFF," whereby there is no intervention.

Inside, the Black Series is finished in black leather with red accents. Two AMG sport seats provide high levels of lateral support, while the black DINAMICA microfiber upholstery on the center panels of the seats and doors is a new type of synthetic fiber characterized by its high fade resistance. The omission of the rear bench underlines the vehicle's sporty character and reduces its weight, though the rear seats can be had as an option if the buyer is willing to downgrade the front seats to the units used on the C63 AMG.

Behind an aggressive 3-spoke steering wheel (featuring a flattened bottom AND top) lie deeply recessed tubular gauges featuring a 4.5-inch color display in the center of the speedometer, which can call-up numerous screens and functions related to audio, telephone, navigation and vehicle settings.

A fixed 5.8-inch central display screen is surrounded by a stepped hood that flows across from the instrument cluster and continues into the passenger side through a subtle character line. The head unit includes a Bluetooth interface for wireless audio streaming and hands-free phone operation, an FM phase-diversity twin tuner, MP3 compatible CD drive, HD/AM/weatherband and a USB port in the center console.

Notable standard features include Mercedes’ COMAND system (an iDrive-like interface) with hard-drive navigation including 40 GB of storage 14-way adjustable power seats, dual zone climate control and Bluetooth audio streaming.

AMG has made available two special packages to further fortify the Black Series for performance driving and track use.

The AMG Track package comprises 255/35 R 19 front and 285/30 R 19 rear sports tires from Dunlop. They were developed specially for the Black Series and dramatically increase grip. Active cooling on the rear-axle drive unit improves performance under tough race-track conditions with a cooling module located in front of the diffuser insert in the rear valance for optimum airflow.

The AMG Aerodynamics package includes exterior winglets made from genuine carbon-fiber on the front valance. There is also a fixed carbon-fiber spoiler at the rear with adjustable aerofoil. Both components not only increase the downforce at the front and rear axle, but also optimize the vehicle's aerodynamic balance.

Occupant Safety
Mercedes-Benz has long been known for its safety features, and the Black Series will only add to that reputation. In addition to ABS and ESP stability control, the car boasts nine supplemental restraints including two-stage front air bags, a knee air bag for the driver and pelvic air bags which work together with curtain and side air bags to provide extra protection for front occupants in dangerous side-impact collisions.

Also standard is an “ATTENTION ASSIST” system that can alert the driver to the first signs of drowsiness, a factor that causes more than 100,000 accidents a year in the U.S.A steering sensor is coupled to smart software that uses 70 parameters to establish a unique driver profile during the first 20 minutes of driving. Between 50 and 112 mph, the system identifies the erratic steering corrections drivers make as they begin to get drowsy and triggers an audible warning and a "Time for a Rest?" message with a coffee cup icon in the instrument cluster.

Key Competitors
Notable competitors include the brutish Cadillac CTS-V coupe, the razor-sharp BMW M3 Coupe and the stylish Audi RS5, all of which the C63 AMG Black Series Coupe should have no trouble keeping up with in a straight line or on a curvy race course.

    • General
    • Body Style: Coupe
    • Size: Compact
    • Market Segment: Luxury, Sports, Performance
    • Weight: TBD
    • Exterior
    • Length: TBD
    • Width: TBD
    • Height: TBD
    • Wheelbase: TBD
    • Ground Clearance: TBD
    • Front Track: TBD
    • Rear Track: TBD
    • Weight Distribution: TBD
    • Drag Coefficient: TBD
    • Interior - General
    • Seats: 2
    • Passenger Volume: TBD
    • Cargo Volume: TBD
    • Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD
    • Interior - Front Row
    • Volume: TBD
    • Leg Room: TBD
    • Head Room: TBD
    • Shoulder Room: TBD
    • Hip Room: TBD
    • Propulsion
    • Fuel Type: Gas
    • Engine Type: 6.2L V8
    • Power: 510 hp @ 6800 rpm
    • Torque: 457 lb-ft @ TBD rpm
    • Transmission: 7-Speed Automated Manual
    • Highway Fuel Economy: TBD
    • City Fuel Economy: TBD
    • Forced Induction: None
    • Direct Injection: No
    • Chassis
    • Layout: Rear Wheel Drive
    • Front Suspension: Strut-Type
    • Rear Suspension: Multi-Link
    • Wheels
    • Front: 19" Aluminum
    • Front Tires: 255/35R19
    • Rear: 19" Aluminum
    • Rear Tires: 285/30R19
    • Trailering & Hauling
    • Trailer Weight: N/A
    • Payload: N/A
    • Tongue Weight: N/A

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