Monster Mercedes C63 AMG Comes in Thousands Cheaper than Expected

In what continues to be an ever-evolving enthusiast’s sports-sedan dream, the fire-breathing 451-hp C63 AMG will start at $57,225—about $6000 less than initially expected—when it reaches dealerships this April.

The lower price seems to be in response to the C63’s main competitors—the 414-hp BMW M3 and the 416-hp Lexus IS F—also providing extraordinary bang for the buck. First, Lexus set the IS F price at $56,765, and then, in a surprise to all, BMW priced the benchmark M3 even lower—just $55,875 for the sedan.

The C63’s price would be even thriftier if it weren’t for the hefty $2600 gas-guzzler tax (the M3 carries only a $1300 charge) due to its thirsty 12 mpg city and 19 mpg highway EPA fuel-economy ratings.

Either way, the C63 is a tremendous value. With the same 6.2-liter V-8 found in the $138,425 CLK63 AMG Black Series and big brother $88,225 E63 AMG—as well as most other AMG models—the C63 catapults itself to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds at 116 mph. Those are the quickest acceleration numbers for any AMG with this engine and are ahead of both the BMW and Lexus