By Peter Couture and Lyra Solochek, Times Staff Writers
Thursday, August 9, 2012
For 2012, Mercedes-Benz rolls out a coupe version of its C63 AMG. Of course, AMG is the German automaker's performance division. So think of this coupe as a Teutonic counterpart to an American muscle car — only with Mercedes luxury.
Appearance: From its gently sloping roof down to its subtle rear-deck spoiler, this low-slung coupe is a study in athleticism and style. The light-alloy wheels seemed to shine against the dark Lunar Blue paint of our tester, and both the LED running lights in the front and rear sparkle. The bold chrome-slatted Mercedes grille is framed by curvy, swept-back headlights.
Performance: The 451-horsepower hand-built, 6.3-liter V-8 rumbles to life when you push the large aluminum ignition button. It's a rush, and even more so when the chrome-finished quad exhaust barks on downshifts. Still, in normal ...