The first official shots of Mercedes' new high-performance C63 AMG sedan have been released showcasing Stuttgart's new sledgehammer that's set to compete with the upcoming BMW M3 and Audi's RS 4.

Sporting the familiar hand-built 6.2-liter AMG V-8 engine, the C63 churns out 457 horsepower, down on the 507 horsepower in the E63 sedan but still a significant leap in performance over its rival’s offerings. Max torque is a very healthy 600 Nm, with more than 500 Nm from 2,000 all the way up to 6,250 rpm. The 0-62 mph dash is completed in just 4.5 seconds and top speed is an electronically controlled 155 mph.

The C63 AMG features a new sports suspension setup with an all-new three-link front axle design. The stiff configuration of the springs and gas-pressure shock absorbers ensures optimal road contact and low body movements when cornering. This is enhanced further by the 35mm wider track that ensures lower dynamic wheel loads when cornering. Other goodies include 18-inch wheels as standard with optional 19-inch light alloys housing 360-mm brakes up front.

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