Merc'd: C63 AMG Black Series

Under the hood

The Mercedes C63 AMG Black Series isn't your average car. It’s a fire-breathing, asphalt addict that’ll break your ribs if you don’t give it the respect it deserves.

Like the standard C63 AMG, the Black Series runs Merc’s colossal 6.2-litre V8 unit. Not content with 451bhp, however, the AMG boys have armed the ‘Black’ with 510 horses thanks to engine tech taken from the SLS.

All this means that yes, the Black Series is a devastatingly brutal weapon, not only on paper - 0-62mph in 4.2sec, 186mph – but also out on track; handy when you’ve got the latter.

Behind the wheel

... We wish we still were. Turn the key – windows down, of course – and AMG’s familiar V8 AMG thrum is dialled up to 15; it’s bassier, louder and even more promising of performance.

And boy, does it have the bollocks to back up its bark. Knock the seven-speeder into drive, flatten the car throttle and the ‘Black’ has the ability to transport you into next year; provided you can get all that V8 twist on the tarmac, that is.

Yup, this is another Mercedes AMG with a chronic tyre smoking addiction. Where the standard C63 AMG is a ten-a-day motor, however, the ‘Black’ will easily nail through a pack an hour.

But you know what they say: ‘power is nothing without control’.

Luckily, Merc’s most hardcore model has that one down, too. Thanks to carbonfibre winglets up front, a snowboard-sized wing at its rear-end and adjustable suspension, the Black Series is grippier than physics should allow.

It also steers quickly and accurately and corners like it’s never heard of body roll, only kicking its Pippa-perfect ass out when you exploit the accelerator. Give it too much, and the ‘Black’ will bitch-slap you round so you’re facing the wrong way. But that only happened once. Okay, three times…

Splash the cash?

Including the optional aero kit, AMG track package, carbonfibre trim inside and a few other bits and bobs, we’re talking £115,000. That’s a lot of money for something with an engine and two seats.

But this isn’t any engine; it’s one of the greatest units currently on sale. And for that reason, you wouldn’t want to sit anywhere else. Mercedes, we salute you. And we also want another go...