2014 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Edition 507

Mercedes-Benz Safety Dual front airbags, dual side and curtain air bags, front pelvic air bags, driver's knee airbag

I hate goodbyes, especially when it means handing back the keys to a 507-horsepower Mercedes.

The 2014 C63 AMG “Edition 507” takes a good thing – specifically the 451-horsepower C63 – and makes it better, thanks to extra fettling and finessing from the engineers at AMG.

The Edition 507 Package boosts engine output to 507-hp and 457 lb.-ft. of torque, which allows this (relatively) understated performance machine to lay down some stunning performance stats.

Punch the gas pedal – or use the launch-control – and this Benz accelerates its way from 0 to 60 mph in about 3.8 seconds. As acceleration times drop, the car’s top speed rises, to a license-shredding 174 mph.

There is more going on here than a few engine tweaks, of course. The Edition 507 also includes performance brakes with red calipers, 19-inch alloy wheels, gloss black rear spoiler and side mirrors, and the lighter aluminum hood with functional vents, as used on the similarly hardcore C63 Black Edition.

Inside you’ll find black leather with “Porcelain DINAMICA” inserts – it sounds silly, but it looks fantastic – and AMG steering wheel, Edition 507 badge on the dash, along with tasteful inserts of gloss black trim. That’s a lot of equipment, and it helps to explain this performance package’s steep , 750 price.

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The C63 AMG Edition 507 is actually a pretty petite sports machine - a Honda Accord Coupe is about 4 inches longer.

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If you're in a hurry, it's worth noting the Edition 507 package bumps top speed to 174 mph. Not that we're endorsing that kind of driving behavior, of course.

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The body is relatively understated, at least when you consider this wild coupe can run from 0 to 60 mph in less than 4.0 seconds.

Our test car was also fitted with a limited slip differential ($1, 000), Parktronic parking guidance ($970), and a multimedia package ($2, 950) that includes a 7-inch touch-screen, navigation, rear-view camera, voice controls, SiriusXM Traffic and Weather, along with Mercedes' "mbrace2" suite of in-car apps, amongst other features.

Safety was taken care of by a Driver Assistance Package ($2, 950), featuring items such as active blind spot assist, lane keep assist, and Distronic Plus cruise control with the Pre-Safe braking system. All told, the normal , 750 base price of the C63 AMG swelled to , 885, once everything was tallied – including destination charge and a whopping , 700 for the car’s gas guzzler status.

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Our test car was finished in "Magno Platinum" matte finish paint, a costly (but uber-cool) , 950 option.

and G63 AMG, and the 4.0-liter biturbo V-8 in the new AMG-GT is absolutely stunning in design and performance.

But this grumbling and rumbling naturally-aspirated engine is something different, and all the more special for it. If Mercedes-Benz ever collaborated with Ford, Chevrolet or Dodge on a muscle car project, this would be the motor they’d throw in the beast.

Power is seamless, thanks in no small part to the lightening-quick reflexes of the 7-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes always adds paddle-shifters to this gearbox but, to be honest, they might as well save a few bucks and forget them. This transmission doesn’t need to be coaxed to get everything out of this snarling engine, or the car’s solid rear-wheel-drive chassis.

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The Edition 507 package adds a black and white duotone cabin, complete with a suede-covered AMG steering wheel and gloss black trim on the dashboard.

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Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 7-speed AMG Speedshift automatic transmission.

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We'll miss revving that hulking 6.2-liter V-8 engine - yes, despite the name, this isn't actually a 6.3-liter V-8. Strange, but true.

After the glamor of the SL63 AMG, and the absolute wildness of the G63 AMG sport-utility, I have to admit, the C63 arrived in the NY Daily News Autos fleet with some very big shoes to fill. The surprise was that, out of these three, the C63 AMG 507 Edition ended up being my personal favorite – of course, I’ve yet to personally drive the slippery AMG-GT!

The steering is firm and intuitive, even if it falls slightly more on the luxury side of the spectrum. You could say the same thing about the suspension, which did an excellent job of coping with city driving and longer hauls on the highway. This is an incredibly quick car, but I like the fact that’s it’s also incredibly comfortable, too. The firm ride can get jittery over rough tarmac; though I think the added tautness is worth it, considering how playful this C63 can be.

The naturally-aspirated 6.2-liter V-8 delivers 507-horsepower and 443 lb.-ft. of torque.

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Upgraded brakes are fitted to cope with the power of this C63 AMG Coupe.

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