Arguably, the first Mercedes-Benz saloon built with a focus on high performance was the W124 500E. Its engine is a 5-litre V8 with 322bhp at 5700rpm and 480Nm at 3500rpm – good enough for 260km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 5.5 seconds. That was in 1991! The 500E is, by all counts, the true spiritual ancestor of Mercedes-AMG.
Why is this Teutonic tidbit important? Because Mercedes-Benz has just launched the first car in its “soft” junior range of AMG models. The C450 AMG has an engine that produces 367bhp (5500-6000rpm) and 520Nm (2000-4200rpm). It is not a V8, nor does its engine displace close to 5 litres. But in terms of horsepower and torque, the numbers are curiously similar to the 500E’s. In fact, they’re a little better.
Technology has moved on quite a bit since 1991, so the similarities between the two engines end with the power and torque figures. To begin with, the C450 AMG is based on the smaller C-Class range. The engine is a V6 displacing 2996cc, with two turbochargers that boost induction efficiency and 21st century electronic engine-control systems that manage everything from intake to exhaust. The specific power output (bhp per litre) is up by nearly 90 percent compared to the 500E.
The C450 is slotted between the standard C-Class models (C180, C200, C250 in Singapore) and the C63 super saloon. But the C450 is meant to be more AMG than merely sporty, so its powertrain and suspension have been tuned for performance, while its exterior/interior design elements are pure sports saloon.
The bodystyling enhancements are less flamboyant than those of the C63. But far from subtle are the enhancements in question – a front bumper with huge air-intake openings, new wheel patterns, plus a redesigned rear bumper with aerodynamic slits and a pair of double-slot tailpipes. Most unsubtle is the grille, which has an array of tiny matt silver hexagonal buttons spread evenly around the tristar badge.
Much of the interior has been modified by AMG. The upgrades are torso-hugging electrically adjustable sports seats, a thick-rimmed three-spoke AMG steering wheel, lots of red stitching, a special instrument pack and trim choices available only in the AMG catalogue. It is a fine environment to be in, one that promises dynamic excitement.
The 3-litre turbo V6 of the C400 (and E400 in other markets) is the basis for the C450 AMG. With slightly higher boost pressure, the engine’s power has been increased by a modest 10 percent. The performance figures, on the other hand, are anything but modest – a maximum speed of 250km/h and zero-to-100km/h in 4.9 seconds. “OMG” enough to justify the “AMG” tag.
Unfortunately, the C450 doesn’t get AMG’s terrific Speedshift MCT. Often misunderstood to be a dual-clutch system, the MCT is actually a clever combination of automatic gearbox with a multi-plate clutch in place of the torque converter. What the C450 gets instead is the 7G-Tronic autobox, which has gained an AMG-mapped ECU for sportier gearchanges and, during downshifts, engine speed-matching.
Before we get to the suspension setup, it’s important for me to mention that this car’s full model name is C450 AMG 4Matic. Yes, the drivetrain is a full four-wheel-drive system that takes one-third of the engine torque and sends it to the front wheels. For now, this is the only AMG C Class with 4Matic.
AMG Dynamic Select allows the driver to choose between Eco, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ to change the car’s engine and gearbox characteristics. Let me just call it four levels of dynamism.
Eco mode or level 1 is for lazy, low-speed city driving with reduced throttle sensitivity and activated stop/start function. Switch to level 4 or Sport+ and the C450 adopts a more aggressive nature. Transmission shift points occur higher up the rev range, downshifts are accompanied by delicious crackles from the exhaust, and the engine reacts sharply to throttle input.
Separately, the driver can also choose from three different suspension settings, switch off the ESP (electronic stability programme) or select fully manual gear-selection and use the steering wheel-mounted paddles. Pity there is no proper gearlever.
On the winding roads in Portugal’s Algarve region, I experienced real-world high-performance driving situations. The roads are narrow, winding and undulating. After some three hours of driving in these conditions, it became clear to me that the AMG lads did a terrific job creating the C450 4Matic.
Sure, it doesn’t possess the absolute thrust to catch the more powerful C63 on the straights, but around the bends, the gap is much less clear.
The 33:67 front:rear torque split (instead of the usual 50:50 that isn’t necessarily the most ideal) of the C450’s 4Matic drivetrain proves immensely useful in accelerating early out of corners. With traction also at the front wheels, there is barely any electronic intervention to interrupt the constant power flow.
This, in combination with the compact C-Class dimensions, direct steering (electrically assisted) and instant power from the smooth V6, makes it easy to drive this car very rapidly through the mountain roads. Quite likely, in wet conditions, the C450 AMG 4Matic might scare the wits out of the new C63.
There’s no doubt the C450 AMG is a hugely capable sports saloon. Beyond its finely crafted interior and snazzy bodywork, this junior AMG saloon has a surprising breadth of talent to satisfy the hot-blooded motoring enthusiast. Everything about its grip, poise and power delivery will satisfy him.
The C63 AMG makes a better track-day car for sure, but at all other times and on regular roads, the C450 4Matic is the more balanced AMG. All it needs to succeed in Singapore is a “balanced” price tag, I guess.
SPECIFICATIONS
DRIVETRAIN
TYPE V6, 24-valves, turbocharged
CAPACITY 2996cc
BORE X STROKE 88mm x 82.1mm
COMPRESSION RATIO 10.5:1
MAX POWER 367bhp at 5500-6000rpm
MAX TORQUE 520Nm at 2000-4200rpm
POWER TO WEIGHT 227.2bhp per tonne
GEARBOX 7-speed automatic with manual select
DRIVEN WHEELS All
PERFORMANCE
0-100KM/H 4.9 seconds
TOP SPEED 250km/h (governed)
CONSUMPTION 13.2km/L (combined)
CO2 EMISSION 178g/km
SUSPENSION
FRONT Multi-link, coil springs, electronically controlled dampers, anti-roll bar
REAR Multi-link, coil springs, electronically controlled dampers, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
FRONT / REAR Ventilated discs
TYRES
TYPE Michelin Pilot Super Sport
SIZE 225/45 R18 (front),
245/40 R18 (rear)
SAFETY
AIRBAGS 7
TRACTION AIDS ABS with ESP
MEASUREMENTS
LENGTH 4702mm
WIDTH 1839mm
HEIGHT 1440mm
WHEELBASE 2840mm
KERB WEIGHT 1615kg
TURNING CIRCLE 11.22m
BUYING IT
PRICE INCL. COE To be announced
WARRANTY 3 years/100,000km
WE SAY
+ 4Matic grip, solid power, serious performance, great cockpit upgrades
– Less crazy than C63, likely to be stuck with “poor man’s C63” label
