BMW
Head 2 Head: Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance vs BMW M3 Competition
The 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 now features a plug-in hybrid, instead of a loud twin-turbo V8. However, rival BMW doesn’t offer any form of electrification on its M3 Competition. So, how does it compare with Stuttgart’s latest sports sedan?
Style
The styling of the 2024 Mercedes-AMG C63 has just the right amount of sportiness and elegance. We prefer the restrained look of the C63 over the polarizing design of the M3.
The C63 can be a great sleeper car thanks to subtle design tweaks like the Panamericana grille, revised inlets on the front bumper, a carbon lip spoiler and a diffuser with quad exhausts. This high-performance version of the C-Class also gets bespoke AMG wheels and other minor changes.
The interior of the car is pretty straightforward and is based on the cabin of the latest C-Class. You get a large touchscreen in the centre and a floating digital instrument cluster. Being the high-end version, it gets the AMG 3-spoke steering wheel as well.
Performance
The Mercedes-AMG C63 packs a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo-petrol engine paired with an F1-derived hybrid setup. The result is 671 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque. The internal combustion engine alone develops 476 hp, making it the most powerful 2.0-litre engine in the world!
The hybrid powertrain is hooked up to a 9-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system. Mercedes claims a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 174 mph.
Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance – Technical Specifications
| Engine | 2.0-liter Turbocharged 4-cylinder |
| Power | 671 hp |
| Torque | 752 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 9-speed dual-clutch automatic |
| Acceleration (0-62 mph) | 3.3 seconds |
The C63’s main rival is the BMW M3 Competition. Unlike the Merc, it packs a 3.0-liter twin-turbo 6-cylinder engine that develops 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This single-clutch unit is pretty quick and helps the car accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 180 mph.
While the C63 S E Performance, with its plug-in hybrid powertrain packs 168 hp more than the M3, its biggest disadvantage is the weight. The Merc tips the scales to over 2 tonnes courtesy of its 6.1 kWh battery and other hardware like the all-wheel-drive system and rear-axle steering.
BMW M3 Competition – Technical Specifications
| Engine | 3.0-liter Twin-Turbo 6-cylinder |
| Power | 503 hp |
| Torque | 479 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Acceleration (0-62 mph) | 3.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | 180 mph |
On paper, the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance trumps the BMW M3 Competition. However, maybe it won’t be as nimble and exciting to drive as an M3. We will have to wait for the first reviews of the AMG C63 to reach a conclusion.
Price
Mercedes-Benz is yet to announce the price for the new AMG C63 S E Performance. However, given the kind of punch it packs under the hood, we can expect it to be a bit more expensive than the M3. Besides, at $80,800, the latter isn’t cheap.
