There are certain combinations in the automotive world that enthusiasts hold sacred — a big V8, rear-wheel drive, and a sport sedan body. Mercedes-AMG built its entire reputation on exactly that formula, and for years it seemed untouchable. But the twin pressures of tightening emissions regulations and rapid electrification have forced even the most stubborn performance brands to change course. AMG is no exception, and the era of the thunderous, smoke-producing, rear-driven V8 machine has quietly come to an end, or so we thought. AMG recently unveiled the CLE 646 Spezialanfertigung, which has a twin-turbo flat-plane V8 and RWD, but it will only be made in limited numbers.
So, for now at least, the Mercedes-Benz below remains the last of its kind until AMG can bolt this new flat-plane engine underneath the hood of more sporty cars.
The Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe Is The Last Old-School AMG Model
White 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe frontMercedes-AMG
The vehicle in question is the 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe, which outlasted its sedan sibling and the AMG GT coupe by a year. While the sedan moved towards a turbocharged inline-four engine when the W206-generation C-Class arrived for 2023, Mercedes elected to keep the C63 S Coupe in production for one additional year. The AMG GT retained its large V8 engine option, though it was revised to feature Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive for 2023 and beyond.
The C63 S Coupe enjoyed a lengthy production run, having first been unleashed in 2016 as the sleeker, more stylish counterpart to the four-door C63 sedan. It shared the same platform and drivetrain as its sibling, with the defining difference being its two-door coupe silhouette.
A Used C63 S Coupe Is Still Worth A Fortune
White 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe side viewMercedes-AMG
The used values for the final-year 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe are defying standard luxury depreciation curves, proving that enthusiasts will pay a premium for end-of-an-era mechanics. As the absolute last iteration to pair AMG’s twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with pure rear-wheel drive, low-mileage examples consistently trade near, at, or even above their original ~$82,000 to $100,000+ MSRPs.
Clean models with under 10,000 miles routinely command $85,000 to $95,000 on auction platforms, while rare Final Edition specs easily crest six figures. Well-driven higher-mileage examples still hold firmly in the $65,000 to $75,000 floor.
Market demand is driven by pure purist backlash against the heavy, four-cylinder hybrid powertrain in the newer generation. Buyers are treating the 2023 C63 S Coupe not just as a used performance car, but as an appreciating modern classic and the definitive end of unrefined German V8 muscle.
The C63 S Coupe Brought The Muscle
Black 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe rear endMercedes-AMG
That meant it retained the formidable 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged M177 V8, which sent its power to the rear wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission. This was the formula Mercedes-AMG had followed since the early 2000s across its lineup, having moved on from the inline-six engines it specialized in during the 1990s.
Those big V8s gave AMG its tire-shredding reputation, making its cars feel more like muscle cars than the precision-focused machines coming out of BMW. That wild character helped AMG stand apart from its German rivals and arguably gave the brand a more lovable, unhinged persona than the more buttoned-up Audis and BMWs of the world.
The 2023 C63 S Could Really Shift
2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe V8 engine topMercedes-AMG
While being rear-wheel drive made it easy to get those rear tires lit up like a chain-smoking race driver from the 1960s, the real weapon was the C63’s V8. It produced 503 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque — supercar-grade grunt made possible by its two hard-working turbochargers. Switching off the traction control opened the door to some spectacular tail-out moments, but keeping it engaged unlocked the car’s breathtaking straight-line capability. With the rear wheels kept in check, the C63 S could crack 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds, placing it among the quickest luxury cars available at the time.
2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe
Engine
4.0L Twin-Turbo V8
Transmission
9-Speed Auto
Power
503 hp
Torque
516 lb-ft
0-60 mph
3.7 seconds
Average Used Value
$105,500
Don’t Count The C63 S Out As Purely A Drag Racer
Black 2023 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Coupe drifting from frontMercedes-AMG
While the C63 S Coupe goes like a muscle car, don’t assume it handles like one. For starters, it features AMG’s Ride Control suspension setup, which uses an active damping system capable of reading the road ahead and adjusting in a split second to deal with whatever surface it encounters. This can make the ride feel firm, but a comfort mode lets you soften things up when the situation calls for it. The steering was also recalibrated relative to the standard C-Class, with a quicker, more precise rack to help you place the nose accurately on a winding road.
It also benefits from an uprated composite braking setup that inspires real confidence when you need to haul the car down from speed. The discs are ventilated, slotted, and perforated for optimal heat management under sustained hard use. Just be cautious with the dedicated track mode — it dials back most of the electronic safety nets, and if you get carried away, you may find yourself shopping for a fresh set of rear tires before you’ve even left the circuit.
Sources: Classic.com, Mercedes-AMG.
