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Spied! 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63

Refreshed entry-level muscle sedan spotted with minimal camo, clean look

Elliot Alder, Driving
Oct 20, 2021  •  October 20, 2021  •  1 minute read  •  Join the conversation
2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde

A spy photographer has spotted the upcoming Mercedes-AMG C63 testing on public roads. Veiled in thin camo, the new vehicle appears to advance the existing design incrementally, carrying a sculpted new fascia but similar profile to its predecessor. It’s a positive improvement, but there is trepidation in the air.

The C63 is something of an enthusiast darling, taking the pedestrian C-Class platform and turning it into a usable but hoonable commuter. In recent years’ V8 guise, the C63 has offered some of the segment’s best horsepower for the dollar, challenging the crass Charger SRT with dignified European refinement. 

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  1. 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
    2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde
  2. 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
    2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde
  3. 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
    2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde
  4. 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
    2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde
  5. 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
    2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde
  6. 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
    2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde
  7. 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
    2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde
  8. 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
    2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde
  9. 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
    2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde
  10. 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
    2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde
  11. 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
    2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde
  12. 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
    2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde
  13. 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
    2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde
  14. 2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing
    2022 Mercedes-AMG C63 spied in testing Photo by Spiedbilde

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The 2021 model drove the rear wheels with a gnarly 4.0 L twin-turbo V8 pushing 469 horsepower (503 hp in ‘S’ trim), and with an exhaust note to match. It was silly and obnoxious, but we were glad it existed. That era may be at its end, however — word is that the new model will halve this with the 2.0 L turbocharged four that makes 416 hp in the current A45 AMG. The difference in power would likely be made up for by a hybrid powertrain — par for the course, these days — with delivery likely now coming through all four wheels. 

On paper, such a high-torque, low-centre-of-gravity, high-traction setup should yield better performance numbers than ever before. Still, the C63’s brash spirit was the heart of its charm, and whether this new car can live up to that sensory joy is yet to be seen. It’s sure to thrill either way, but time will tell what is to come of Stuttgart’s silly sedan. 

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