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2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 Wagon spy shots: More power, fewer cylinders

Mercedes-Benz in February unveiled its redesigned 2022 C-Class and once again the nameplate will offer a high-performance C63 developed by the Mercedes-Benz AMG skunkworks.

We’ve already spotted prototypes for the C63 sedan, and now we have our first spy shots of a prototype for the wagon, or Estate as Mercedes likes to call the body style. The regular C-Class wagon has already been shown, and no, it isn’t coming to the United States.

2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The prototype is heavily camouflaged but from what we can see, there will be flared wheel arches, large intakes in the front fascia, a pronounced rear diffuser, and four square-shaped exhaust tips.

We can confirm that the current C63’s 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 won’t make into the new generation. Instead, the powertrain will consist of the 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 found in the latest generation of AMG’s compact cars, but with even more power than those cars’ maximum 416 hp, and it will also receive a boost from hybrid technology similar to what’s used in Formula One as well as the upcoming AMG One hypercar.

Mercedes-AMG E Performance

In the new C63, an electric-aided turbocharger will help boost output from the 2.0-liter engine to 442 hp. There will also be an electric motor integrated with the engine in mild-hybrid configuration, to power ancillary features as well as serve as a starter motor. On top of this, there will also be a much more powerful motor (up to 201 hp) at the rear axle to take combined output to a maximum 643 hp. This rear motor will be mated to its own 2-speed transmission.

The 643-hp figure will likely be reserved for a C63 S. Expect the regular C63 to have around 550 hp, which is still up significantly on the 503 hp of the outgoing C63 S.

Mercedes-AMG E Performance hybrid electric drive unit

There will be a weight penalty due to the complex powertrain, however. Expect the hybrid technology to add about 550 pounds to the car and bring its curb weight to almost 4,410 pounds. Part of the hefty load is due to a big battery that should provide a small electric range. One weight-related benefit of the system will be an ideal 50:50 weight distribution thanks to less weight over the front axle compared to the outgoing C63 due to the smaller engine.

Conventional elements like a 9-speed automatic, mechanical all-wheel-drive system, adaptive suspension and drift mode will also likely feature in the new C63.

2023 Mercedes-Benz AMG C63 Wagon spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

Performance estimates include 0-62 mph acceleration in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 181 mph. That top speed matches the outgoing C63 but acceleration is about half a second quicker.

Look for the new C63 to debut late this year or early next. A new C43, which may end up being badged a C53, is also coming. Stay tuned.

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May 26, 2021
1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda 440-6 heads to auction

A rare 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda is scheduled to cross the block at Mecum Auctions’ Tulsa, Oklahoma, sale, which runs June 11-12. No, it doesn’t have a Hemi, but this ‘Cuda is still highly collectible.

That’s because this ‘Cuda is a V-Code car, meaning it has the other legendary Mopar engine from the golden age of muscle cars. It’s a 440-cubic-inch V-8 with 6-barrel carburetion, or “440-6” in Mopar jargon. It makes a factory-rated 390 hp, and drives the rear wheels through a 3-speed automatic transmission.

This car was used as a dealer demonstrator, according to the listing. It’s also heavily optioned, boasting power steering, power brakes, a Shaker hood, and the A36 Performance Axle Package. The configuration makes it more valuable, as does the thorough documentation, including two window stickers and four binders of files, according to the listing.

1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda (Photo by Mecum Auctions)

The Plymouth Barracuda (performance versions got the shorter ‘Cuda name beginning in 1970) was a competitor for the Ford Mustang, although it actually launched just before the Ford. The Mustang made the idea stick, though, which is why we still call cars like this pony cars rather than fish cars.

The 1970 model year marked the debut of a new Barracuda/’Cuda body style, twinned with the first-generation Dodge Challenger. This was also the last generation of the Barracuda, as the car was discontinued after the 1974 model year. Rumors of a Barracuda resurrection occasionally circulate, but with the Plymouth brand now dead as well, that seems unlikely.

Today, the ‘Cuda is one of the most collectible muscle cars, with pristine examples regularly fetching millions of dollars at auction. Mecum doesn’t provide an estimate of what this car will go for, so it should be interesting to learn the final figure.

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May 24, 2021
Live your Group B dreams with this 1980 Lancia Rally SE 037 prototype

The early 1980s Group B era of the World Rally Championship produced some legendary cars, with the Lancia 037 among the most revered. Now a prototype of the championship-winning rally car is scheduled for a RM Sotheby’s auction.

Conceived as a successor to the Lancia Stratos, the 037 retained that car’s mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The 037 was the last two-wheel-drive car in the WRC, beating the Audi Quattro, the car that introduced all-wheel-drive to the sport.

Group B regulations were announced in 1979, and 1982 was the latest year that cars from the previous Group 4 rule set would be eligible. That didn’t leave much time to develop a new car, so Lancia started with the Beta Montecarlo Turbo from the Group 5 sports-car category, itself loosely based on the Lancia Montecarlo sports car (badged Scorpion in the United States to avoid clashing with the Chevrolet Monte Carlo).

1980 Lancia Rally SE 037 prototype (Photo by RM Sotheby’s)

This car—chassis SE037-001—was the first prototype. It made its first test runs in 1980, followed by a full testing program throughout 1981. Even after production cars were built and supplied to the rally team, Lancia continued using SE037-001 as a development mule, and it was also used as a reconnaissance or “recce” car at the 1982 Acropolis Rally, according to the listing.

The 037 won the WRC manufacturer’s championship in 1983, and Lancia built 200 cars to satisfy homologation requirements, but the car’s moment in the spotlight was brief. Audi had shown that all-wheel drive was the future, and the 037 was soon replaced with all-wheel-drive versions of the Lancia Delta hatchback. The 1986 deaths of driver Henri Toivonen and co-driver Sergio Cresto in a Lancia Delta S4 helped bring about the end of Group B, although Lancia continued through the following Group A era.

Chassis SE037-001 was slated to be scrapped in 1983, but it was saved by its designer, Sergio Limone, who restored the car to its original configuration. It’s now in the hands of a Lancia collector, who is offering the 037 prototype for sale with complete documentation attesting to its authenticity, according to the listing.

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May 23, 2021