The 2012 C63 Coupe Black Series. Image: Mercedes-Benz
The AMG Black Series cars have always been the “anti-Mercedes” Mercedes Benz automobiles. Mercedes is known for its subtlety, refinement and good taste, while the Black Series cars have traditionally been loud, brash and in-your-face. Take the last one released, for example: the SL65 AMG Black Series came with a biturbo, 6.0-liter V-12 engine, good for 661 horsepower and 738 ft-lb of torque. Like all Black Series cars, the SL65 was slammed and sported monster-truck sized fender flares; also like the other Black Series cars, it was built in limited quantities.
The 2012 C63 Coupe Black Series. Image: Mercedes-Benz
Now comes word that Mercedes-Benz will bring in a new Black Series car for 2012, based on the C63 AMG Coupe. The 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series will be the most powerful C-Class Mercedes ever built, with a naturally aspirated, 6.2-liter V-8 good for 510 horsepower and 457 ft-lb of torque. Mercedes-Benz says that’s good enough to get the car from 0 to 60 in just 4.2 seconds, thanks in part to the AMG Speedshift seven-speed gearbox, which can shift gears in just 100 milliseconds.
The 2012 C63 Coupe Black Series. Image: Mercedes-Benz
The C63 Black Series can also be equipped for track duty, since buyers can opt for racing front seats and deleted rear seats. A coilover suspension is standard, and an available AMG Track Package includes ultra-high performance tires and rear axle cooling. An available aerodynamics package gives you exterior winglets and an adjustable carbon fiber rear wing, not something you’d usually find on a Mercedes-Benz build sheet.
The 2012 C63 Coupe Black Series. Image: Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes isn’t saying how many C63 Coupe Black Series cars will be built, but my guess is just a few less than demand. Pricing hasn’t been set, but you can rest assured it will be well north of the C63 sedan’s $59k starting point. The C63 Coupe Black Series is due in early 2012, but they’ll be sold out long before dealers get inventory. If you want one, now is the time to start making phone calls.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
