Hardcore AMG C63 prototype surfaces at Nurburgring – see video below

October 11, 2016 by Alastair Sloane

Mercedes-AMG appears to be developing a more hardcore version of the C63 coupe, judging by the appearance at the Nurburgring circuit of a prototype with a huge rear wing – and without the usual camouflage.

Could it be AMG’s answer to the BMW M4 GTS? Perhaps an ‘R’ version of the already hot C63 S Coupe? Or a return to the ‘Black Series’ name of the previous C63?

Additions to the C63 prototype pictured here all point to improved aerodynamics and increased downforce, not only through the rear wing – up front there’s a more prominent splitter with winglets.

The wing might also be fixed to a new bootlid, a suggestion that AMG is looking at using more carbon fibre in panels to cut the car’s weight. There are likely to be stiffer springs and dampers for better on-track performance; stickier tyres would help too.

Of course, development wouldn’t end at exterior changes – there would be tweaks to the 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 under the bonnet, perhaps to deliver upwards of the 375kW/700Nm the C63 S puts out. Mercedes-AMG reworked the same engine for the recent AMG GT R, and it’s good for around 430kW.

Will a more track-focused C63 make it into the Mercedes-AMG fleet? There was no mention of such a model in the product catalogue revealed earlier this year, but the prototype in the accompanying video looks pretty close to production.

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