2015 Mercedes C450 AMG video review
C-Class is a great compact executive offering, and the C63 is nuts, so where does that leave the inbetweener C450 AMG
By Shahzad Sheikh
This is our first drive of the new C-Class, so let’s tackle that first before we get specifically to the 2015 Mercedes C450 AMG.
To watch out video review click below.
It’s lost the dowdy looks of its predecessor, and adopted the swoopy lines, a sporty stance and a grown-up Mercedes elegance that is filtering down from S-Class to the rest of the range. This AMG edition with its two-tone wheels looks great is a hard one to miss.
Inside, it has all the signature cues of the Modern Merc including the floating tablet centre monitor, and now the sweet knurled metal toggle switches on the dashboard, as well as the rotary dial for the volume.
Improved seat buttons and the gorgeous-looking Burmester speakers belting out sensational sounds, as well the great seats and decent rear space along with a great driving position, all make this a welcoming cabin. The SUV-practicality of the large boot with underfloor compartments will add family-friendliness to the equation. The ride too, is very good.
Now coming to the AED254k ($69k) C450 AMG – it does not have, as you may be thinking – a 4.5-litre V8. In fact it’s a 3.0 V6 Turbo, which is nonetheless pretty meaty serving up 367bhp which is good for 0-100kph acceleration in under 5 seconds, particularly thanks to grippy All-Wheel Drive. Yes, that’s what the 4Matic stands for.
It’s quick enough, sounds a little grunty and handles okay – I say okay, because it’s not that sharp a steer and there is mild understeer. Also there is no drama here, unlike the next model up which is the C63 (4.0 V8 Biturbo with 476bhp and 0-100 in 4.1secs) and the flagship C63 S (510bhp, 0-100 in 4.0secs).
Admittedly those are AED75k ($20k) and AED105k ($29k) more expensive. The pair should, however, be proper AMG machines (I haven’t driven these generation cars yet, but previous C63 editions are split-personality mental). This particular car, the C450, just feels too sensible to be an AMG.
So instead look below it – yes there’s a C400 4Matic with the same engine as the C450 but 333bhp though only losing out in the 0-100kph acceleration by three-tenths of a second, yet saving you AED41k ($11k), but I’d actually go next one down.
The C300 costs only AED181k ($49k) and is a second slower than the C450 in the 0-100 dash with only a four-cylinder 2.0 Turbo, but that’s pretty darn quick still at 5.9 seconds (faster than most hot hatches!). And the 250kph top speed is still present. Plus it’s rear-drive only.
There’s also three models below that, but having experienced the GLC300, I think that short of a C63, the C300 would be the one to go for. Of course I haven’t driven any of these other models, but there was something about the price/performance equation of the C450, particularly as it was sporting the AMG badge, that just left me a little disappointed.
The C-Class itself though is a great little saloon, my recommendation is to save yourself some money and go for the cheaper editions, or go all out for the ‘actual’ AMG – which I hope to get my hands on soon.
2015 Mercedes C450 AMG – The Specs
Price:
AED253,600 ($69k)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 Turbo, 367bhp @ 5000-6000rpm, 384lb ft @ 2000-4200rpm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic, Four-wheel drive
Performance: 0-100kph 4.9 seconds, Top Speed 250kph, 9.8L/100km
Weight: 1691kg
Let us know what you think of the 2015 Mercedes C450 AMG below in the comments!
