In keeping with the morning's review theme, our friend Shiv sent us a tidy grouping of articles which analyze two of the latest models to make their way out of Affalterbach: the C63 AMG and the SL63 AMG.  This, of course, means it time for yet another Review Roundup installment, and we are more than happy to oblige.  As is the case with all our Review Roundups, you can find the full collection of reviews along with highlights from each immediately below.

Enjoy.


Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (via The Truth About Cars)
Reviewer's rating: 

"Toggle the AMG’s transmission from C (for Comfort) to M for (Manubetterbereadyforthis), grind the gas pedal into the carpet and the C63 parachutes into Afghanistan with the Tenth Mountain Division, all guns blazing. As you’d expect from a combat-ready sedan, time suddenly slows down. The C63’s massive meats shriek and hop around as they desperately try to do something, anything with 443 ft.-lbs. of torque (torque is more modest 369 lb ft from 2000-6250 rpm). You can hear the V8 nuking gasoline; the mega-motor is screaming like a pissed off bear with a megaphone.

There's so much power lingering about, it's a wonder the C63 AMG doesn't simply implode when you nail the throttle. The only problem: trying to power out of corners in third or fourth gear. With the torque closer to its peak, the wheels can't deal with all the activity. Yes, we're going sideways– in spite of an optional $4k limited slip differential. Lift a little off the gas and everything is jake again. You can absolutely massacre corners at arbitrarily chosen speeds.

The suspension is miraculous. If every car was like this, we'd never bother to fix potholes. I swear you cannot feel them, in spite of the low profile tires and 18" wheels. And the huge brakes scrub off enormous speed in less time than it takes to yell 'radar!'"

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Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG (via Automobile)
Reviewer's rating:  Unspecified

"Although the SL63 AMG is a compelling mix of sprinter and long-distance runner, in some ways it's overshadowed by the SL55 AMG it replaces. After all, the high-revving, normally aspirated V-8 can't quite match its predecessor in terms of torque (465 lb-ft at 5200 rpm versus 531 lb-ft at 2600 rpm) or claimed acceleration (0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds versus 4.5 seconds). Then again, the SL63 performs over a wider rev band and responds more eagerly to throttle orders.

Credit is due to the magical transmission, which automatically blips the throttle during downshifts and can drop directly from seventh gear to fourth gear, or from fifth to second. Praise also goes to the neatly balanced ABC suspension, the reassuringly powerful and yet easy to modulate fourteen-inch brakes, and the meaty steering that's stoic enough to hold course at 155 mph and quick enough to catch the car's wayward tail.

Friday's lunch is al fresco in Monte Carlo, and we're keeping a watchful eye on our SL63, which hums an end-of-journey curbside tune - exhaust crackling lightly, engine sizzling, leather and plastic audibly expanding and contracting at random. The sixteen-second folding hard top is still a great roof, because it anoints the SL with instant Grand Touring status. But as soon as the panels disappear into the trunk, the AMG version in particular morphs into a hard-core roadster that's ready to snap at the heels of any supercar whose path it might cross. Quite frankly, we could have done without this face-lift for both the SL63 and the lesser SL models, and we can't quite forget the SL55 and its 5.4-liter supercharged V-8, which was a breakthrough car for AMG, finding some 21,000 buyers. But on aggregate points, on all-around talent, and on universal appeal, the SL63 AMG once more marks a step forward in the colorful history of the iconic two-seat Mercedes-Benz sports car."

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Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG (via Autocar.co.uk)
Reviewer's rating: 

"Although it still feels natural enough to lament the passing of the SL55, there’s no denying the SL63 is a better car in almost every respect. The engine is extremely flexible and is finally matched to a gearbox whose response and intellect allow its potential to be fully exploited. The drivetrain is so good that, rather than notice that there is less torque than before, you simply find yourself in the right gear more often.

The rest of AMG’s take on the SL remains similarly impressive, so long as you know what to expect: the gearbox’s abrupt step-off and the unsettled low-speed ride mark this car out more as a sports car than a boulevardier. But the SL has retained its ability to crunch through miles with the minimum of fuss.

Being picky, we’d like it to use less fuel and cost less to buy, but even with these things taken into consideration it is excellent."

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And before I go, a special thanks to Shiv for the multiple tips.  As always my friend, we sincerely appreciate it.