stevebgt1
Active Member
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- Audi R8 V10 Plus . MRC Tuned 655BHP Larini Exhaust.
Hmmmm…so in 12 months you'll pick up a used one for £ 36k !!
Red C220
MB Enthusiast
Looks like a lot of value of money to me.
I see it as 90% of a C63, with 4WD and better fuel economy but still big grin factor.
The Chinese tax import regulations are currently driving engine capacity. Anything over 4.0 litre has punitive tax. That's why it's all downsized recently.
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Red C220
MB Enthusiast
No grey in your world then, very black and white!
The point is though... does it matter?
I have never really understood all this true AMG, fake AMG stuff.
Surely what matters is how the car looks and drives not what badge it has stuck to it.
My car is an AMG yet I have no badges on it .... how does that work?
JBD
MB Enthusiast
Great! It sounds really good too. I love the sound of a V6.
I really think it struck a good balance between performance and comfort. The C63 is too hard and aggressive for a lot of people. I think the 450 will sell well
renault12ts
MB Club Veteran
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- Mar 5, 2009
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- 2005 W215 CL500.
But, if you are being that precious, couldn't it be argued that the current crop of AMGs are not not AMGs...compared to what an AMG was in, say, the 80s or 90s?
Is an A45 really an AMG?
It will sell extremely well. I'm a snob and therefore one day when I pull up to the lights and next to me will sit a proper AMG C63 and I will think darn I wish I had bought the real thing. Not some imitation with badges stuck all over it to keep the accountants happy at MB. The one redeeming thing is 4wd though.
If I was buying a normal C class I would for sure but the C450. Don't insult my intelligence as a customer by placing an AMG badge on it and saying its hand crafted though!
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- Volvo XC90 T8 Polestar c500bhp
My car is an AMG yet I have no badges on it .... how does that work?
Could be worse - you might have yellow calipers or summat...
.No mate your CLA45 is every bit an AMG that the 63 is. It has a hand built engine by AMG and following the one man, one engine philosophy this makes it very special indeed.
renault12ts
MB Club Veteran
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- 2005 W215 CL500.
But...which part of your car is handcrafted as compared to lesser C Classes?
The engine
Google: One man, one engine.
This is the basis for every AMG model, except the C450 which ultimately isn't an AMG.
Red C220
MB Enthusiast
If you want a sneak preview try and grab a drive in an E400 Coupe or SL400. It's the same engine but with another 30 or so hp in the 450.
When we went to order an SL I was fully expecting to go with the SL500.
The SL400 we got a test drive in was just great and more power than I'd ever use so we immediately discounted the 500.
It's a great engine the pops and bangs on over run, sounds great and is very responsive.
MancMike
New Member
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- Jul 29, 2014
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Why are some struggling with this?
There's AMG, and there's AMG Sport. If yours happens to have the word sport on the end, it's not an AMG, it's AMG Sport like it says... If someone asks what you drive, you either say a C220 CDI, or if you must a C220 CDI AMG Sport. You don't say C220 CDI AMG as you'd just sound like a dreamer.
There's AMG, and there's AMG Sport. If yours happens to have the word sport on the end, it's not an AMG, it's AMG Sport like it says... If someone asks what you drive, you either say a C220 CDI, or if you must a C220 CDI AMG Sport. You don't say C220 CDI AMG as you'd just sound like a dreamer.
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renault12ts
MB Club Veteran
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- 2005 W215 CL500.
The engine
Google: One man, one engine.
This is the basis for every AMG model, except the C450 which ultimately isn't an AMG.
No need to Google, it's been discussed here many times. I think however, you mean hand assembled...from a kit...by one man. Not hand crafted...the assembler does nothing re: machining etc.
I'm still at a loss to understand why this is a better way. Where's the consistency given that different human beings are responsible for different engines...it stands to reason, some will be better than others. Florian Brader being one of the best.
Whereas machine assembly should be consistent. Even then...are other engines totally machine assembled?
The _Don
MB Enthusiast
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- Jul 11, 2010
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- Mb
FIRST DRIVE: 2016 MERCEDES-BENZ C450 AMG 4MATIC
Tester says it annihilates the c63 amg -
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/2016-mercedes-benz-c450-amg-4matic-first-drive/
Tester says it annihilates the c63 amg -
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/2016-mercedes-benz-c450-amg-4matic-first-drive/
renault12ts
MB Club Veteran
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- 2005 W215 CL500.
I say Mercedes.
Red C220
MB Enthusiast
2016 Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG 4MATIC First Drive ? Review ? Car and Driver
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/mercedes-benz/mercedes-c450-amg-4matic-2015-review/
This is the Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG 4Matic, a high-performance C-class that sits a rung below the range-topping C63, just as the Audi S4 tucks below RS4. The basics are this: a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 pairs with a seven-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive.
A choice of saloon and estate body styles are available. Left-hand-drive markets get the C450 from June 2015. UK sales, however, don’t start until June 2016. Why? Because this is the first 4Matic C-class, and engineering the application for right-hand drive is responsible for the delay.
So is this a real AMG, or just a trim level?
It’s a proper AMG, albeit AMG-lite. This is the only V6 in the C-class line-up, and it makes 362bhp and 384lb ft. There are carryover C63 suspension components, the seven-speed ’box shares C63 programming logic and, just like the C63, the electro-mechanical steering ditches the base car’s variable-rate ratio for a more natural fixed ratio.
But where AMG says there are no plans for an all-wheel-drive C63, the C450 comes only with the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. It’s specially fettled for C450 duties, with a more driver-focussed 33/67 front-to-rear torque split.
Does the drive merit the AMG badge?
It does. This is a neatly positioned vehicle, with a large portion of the driving flair that elevates the C63 so far beyond its C-class siblings, without stepping on big-brother’s toes – and, of course, all-wheel drive adds a further level of separation and a significantly altered character
There’s a different character to the V6 too, with none of the explosiveness that defines the V8 AMG. After the C63, it’s a little disappointing when you first turn the key, but it’s smooth, refined, fast and flexible and, actually, when you up the ante, a keener soundtrack comes to the fore – a really engaging warble that’s comparable to a slightly dialled down Jaguar XE 3.0 S. There’s a tiny delay between accelerating and all that torque coming on tap, but it’s very small and, ultimately, inconsequential to driving enjoyment.
There are five driving modes to choose from: Efficient, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and the driver-configurable Individual; they tailor the steering weight, throttle response, gearbox logic and engine sound. Select Sport Plus and there are some properly engaging thunderclaps on the overrun
The electric steering has a nicely weighted consistency and is a marked improvement over lesser Cs, but a more natural self-centring action would be welcome. Really, though, it works very well with the C450’s impressively tied down and very consistent feeling front end.
The gearbox is swift and obedient, if lacking the absolute incisiveness of dual-clutch units and Jaguar’s eight-speed auto.
What about that all-wheel-drive chassis?
It’s very, very good. Our test route flowed up into the Portuguese hills over some pretty challenging terrain, and the C450 delivered a brilliant balance of composure and engagement. The front end grips hard, and when you get on the throttle you can really feel the rear bias pushing you through the corner. In some ways it’s actually more satisfying than the C63, because you can deploy most of the power most of the time. It’d be fascinating to compare lap times on a wet circuit.
In Comfort mode the chassis feels very, well, comfortable, with the obvious trade-offs in absolute handling finesse. Perhaps Sport Plus will feel like overkill in the UK, but on these test roads it worked brilliantly: excellent body control, meatier steering, telepathic gearbox logic and that more exciting soundtrack.
And all – on these roads at least – without completely destroying the ride quality.
Verdict
The C450 AMG neatly fills a fairly yawning gap between the comfort of mainstream C-class models and the outlandish excesses of the C63. The V6 engine, gearbox, steering and all-wheel-drive chassis make this car a great drive in all conditions, with little apparent trade-off in comfort compared with lesser models. It’s a compelling alternative to the Audi S4, though the new rear-wheel-drive Jaguar XE 3.0 S remains a dynamic benchmark – and an all-wheel-drive XE should hit the UK market at a similar time to the Merc.
I drove the C450 only in saloon body style, but the idea of a car this well-rounded in everything-but-the-kitchen-sink estate guise could be a dream combination.
Specs
Price when new: £40,000
On sale in the UK:
Engine: 2996cc 24v twin-turbo V6, 362bhp @ 5500-6000rpm, 384lb ft @ 2000-4200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed MCT automatic, all-wheel drive
Performance: 4.9sec 0-62mph, 155mph, 37.2mpg, 178g/km CO2
Weight / material: 1615kg/aluminium and steel
Dimensions (length/width/height in mm): 4702/2020/1440
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-reviews/mercedes-benz/mercedes-c450-amg-4matic-2015-review/
This is the Mercedes-Benz C450 AMG 4Matic, a high-performance C-class that sits a rung below the range-topping C63, just as the Audi S4 tucks below RS4. The basics are this: a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 pairs with a seven-speed automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive.
A choice of saloon and estate body styles are available. Left-hand-drive markets get the C450 from June 2015. UK sales, however, don’t start until June 2016. Why? Because this is the first 4Matic C-class, and engineering the application for right-hand drive is responsible for the delay.
So is this a real AMG, or just a trim level?
It’s a proper AMG, albeit AMG-lite. This is the only V6 in the C-class line-up, and it makes 362bhp and 384lb ft. There are carryover C63 suspension components, the seven-speed ’box shares C63 programming logic and, just like the C63, the electro-mechanical steering ditches the base car’s variable-rate ratio for a more natural fixed ratio.
But where AMG says there are no plans for an all-wheel-drive C63, the C450 comes only with the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. It’s specially fettled for C450 duties, with a more driver-focussed 33/67 front-to-rear torque split.
Does the drive merit the AMG badge?
It does. This is a neatly positioned vehicle, with a large portion of the driving flair that elevates the C63 so far beyond its C-class siblings, without stepping on big-brother’s toes – and, of course, all-wheel drive adds a further level of separation and a significantly altered character
There’s a different character to the V6 too, with none of the explosiveness that defines the V8 AMG. After the C63, it’s a little disappointing when you first turn the key, but it’s smooth, refined, fast and flexible and, actually, when you up the ante, a keener soundtrack comes to the fore – a really engaging warble that’s comparable to a slightly dialled down Jaguar XE 3.0 S. There’s a tiny delay between accelerating and all that torque coming on tap, but it’s very small and, ultimately, inconsequential to driving enjoyment.
There are five driving modes to choose from: Efficient, Comfort, Sport, Sport Plus and the driver-configurable Individual; they tailor the steering weight, throttle response, gearbox logic and engine sound. Select Sport Plus and there are some properly engaging thunderclaps on the overrun
The electric steering has a nicely weighted consistency and is a marked improvement over lesser Cs, but a more natural self-centring action would be welcome. Really, though, it works very well with the C450’s impressively tied down and very consistent feeling front end.
The gearbox is swift and obedient, if lacking the absolute incisiveness of dual-clutch units and Jaguar’s eight-speed auto.
What about that all-wheel-drive chassis?
It’s very, very good. Our test route flowed up into the Portuguese hills over some pretty challenging terrain, and the C450 delivered a brilliant balance of composure and engagement. The front end grips hard, and when you get on the throttle you can really feel the rear bias pushing you through the corner. In some ways it’s actually more satisfying than the C63, because you can deploy most of the power most of the time. It’d be fascinating to compare lap times on a wet circuit.
In Comfort mode the chassis feels very, well, comfortable, with the obvious trade-offs in absolute handling finesse. Perhaps Sport Plus will feel like overkill in the UK, but on these test roads it worked brilliantly: excellent body control, meatier steering, telepathic gearbox logic and that more exciting soundtrack.
And all – on these roads at least – without completely destroying the ride quality.
Verdict
The C450 AMG neatly fills a fairly yawning gap between the comfort of mainstream C-class models and the outlandish excesses of the C63. The V6 engine, gearbox, steering and all-wheel-drive chassis make this car a great drive in all conditions, with little apparent trade-off in comfort compared with lesser models. It’s a compelling alternative to the Audi S4, though the new rear-wheel-drive Jaguar XE 3.0 S remains a dynamic benchmark – and an all-wheel-drive XE should hit the UK market at a similar time to the Merc.
I drove the C450 only in saloon body style, but the idea of a car this well-rounded in everything-but-the-kitchen-sink estate guise could be a dream combination.
Specs
Price when new: £40,000
On sale in the UK:
Engine: 2996cc 24v twin-turbo V6, 362bhp @ 5500-6000rpm, 384lb ft @ 2000-4200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed MCT automatic, all-wheel drive
Performance: 4.9sec 0-62mph, 155mph, 37.2mpg, 178g/km CO2
Weight / material: 1615kg/aluminium and steel
Dimensions (length/width/height in mm): 4702/2020/1440
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