Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG 2012

The only Black Series type of treatment that really grabbed and wrung out our hearts and minds so far was the ultra-hot CLK DTM AMG back in 2005, which – technically – was pre-Black Series. Fine. All the Black Series models that came after should have been more hardcore instead of the mildly up-done aesthetic exercises versus their standard AMG-badged counterparts.

Then, we got our first glimpse at the newest Black Series hotness during our recent drive day in southern France with the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG lineup. It's the C63 AMG Coupe Black Series – the most powerful Vitamin C ever from Stuttgart and Affalterbach – that will do all it can to make us forget about our holy experiences in the BMW M3 GTS and Audi Quattro concept. Tough acts to follow, Herr Daimler.
While the C63 AMG Coupe Black Series starts deliveries in western Europe in January 2012, both China and the United States have to wait for the until March of next year. Somehow, that just doesn't seem right.

The thundering M156 6.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 gets 510 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque here, in a car that weighs 44 pounds less than the coupe on which it is based. Someone will no doubt break the four-second 0-60 barrier.

 The Black Series sits lower than the standard C63 AMG and gets nicely widened tracks – an additional 1.6 inches in front, 3.1 inches rear – due primarily to the special 9.0-by-19-inch front and 9.5-by-19-inch rear AMG forged wheels. Shift mapping with the AMG Speedshift MCT sport auto seven-speed has been modified, meaning gear changes in Sport+ and Manual modes take just one tenth of a second. The steering rate has also been tightened up versus than the stock C-Class AMG cars.

Most exciting of all is that Mercedes has finally realized that the oil temperatures on its AMGs get way too hot too soon (especially on track days), and that jumping into crawl-home mode just doesn't fly with aficionados craving a full day of hot laps. Thus, the Coupe Black Series gets an oil cooler with a 50-percent larger surface – just like the SLS AMG. Also like the SLS, the Black Series gets forged pistons and connecting rods, plus a harder and lighter weight crankshaft. Basically, this throttle pops now.

 Brake discs are vented and perforated compound aluminum-lead units purported to avoid brake fade during rough treatment. (We'll wait and see on this part.) Their size is considerable, at 15.4-by-1.4 inches front and 14.2-by-1.0 inch rear. Carbon ceramic discs are not being made available for the C Coupe track terror.

Looking further inside, the cabin makes it clear that this is going to be a Formula 1 safety vehicle or pace car faster than you can say "Bernie Ecclestone's locker." The competition seats with leather and special Dinamica fabric feel swell on our backside and all the glitzy sport touches in there smack our awareness of all this just in case we didn't get it already.